Rahim Golbari, entrepreneur and founder of Elat Market, started his business in 1984 with a small marketplace less than 900 square feet (currently Jeff’s Gourmet and Sausage Factory) in the Pico-Robertson area. Leaving Iran at the age of 18 and moving to Los Angeles by age 20, Rahim left no room to delay his biggest dream—serving the Iranian Jewish community. Although he had no college education, Rahim built Elat Market based on business tactics that he picked up by observing his father and uncle in business back in Iran. After Rahim got his business running, he was able to expand to a newer location and a bigger market. His classmates moved from Iran to Los Angeles and eventually became his business partners. When Rahim’s family came to Los Angeles a few years after him, they watched his business boom and were so impressed that they decided to join his business.

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