A Different Definition of Success

Business success is often measured by profit margins and social status. Shabana Ibrahim-Rehana Markar offers a unique vision. For her, wealth is not solely about money, power is not defined by status, and happiness is not necessarily found in possessions. Instead, she believes that wealth is measured by the legacy one leaves, power by thoughtful service, and happiness by understanding both hardship and ease throughout life’s journey.

This philosophy is not just theoretical; it is part of her everyday practice. It is visible in the restaurants she leads, the nonprofit she founded, the podcast she hosts, and the way she speaks about her own struggles. At a time when conscious capitalism is gradually shifting the global business landscape, Shabana’s work offers a concrete example of how empathy can be a foundation for business success.

Wealth as Legacy, Not Money

For Shabana, wealth is not defined by accumulation. True wealth lies in the impact one leaves behind. This is why she channels the success of her food ventures—Mercy Mediterranean and Luna’s Halal Taqueria—into the work of her nonprofit, Miracles 4 Mercy.

She refers to her two brands as “brother and sister.” Luna’s Halal Taqueria is the profit-based brand that supports Miracles 4 Mercy, while Mercy Mediterranean aims to promote healthier fast-food options. Together, they reflect her vision of transforming fast food to be not only fast and convenient but also a source of nourishment for both the body and family.

Through Miracles 4 Mercy, Shabana has supported widows in Mauritania and the United States, helped a family in the Philippines upgrade their living conditions, built water wells in Sudan and Bangladesh, and initiated projects addressing homelessness, literacy, and trafficking. Each effort reflects her belief in creating positive change one bite and one action at a time.

In her words, customers are not simply consumers—they are participants in a collective mission. She frequently encourages people to “Support (Y)our Mercy Mission” because, she believes, her mission is one that belongs to everyone—both the individual and the collective.

Power as Service, Not Status

Power, in Shabana’s philosophy, is not about social standing or influence for its own sake. It is about how one uses resources and leadership to positively impact others.

Her restaurants embody this principle. They are inviting spaces where people can access affordable, healthy meals without sacrificing quality or compassion. Even operational details, such as keeping grills and fryers separate for vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, reflect her integrity. For her, speed should not mean compromise. Every dish is made with the intention to nourish the body, respect the customer, and uplift the soul.

Her motto, “Spreading mercy with every bite,” captures this philosophy in a simple form. Each transaction is viewed as an act of service. Each customer is a reminder that business can be both practical and profound.

Happiness as Purpose, Not Possession

Shabana’s worldview also challenges conventional materialism. Her decision to pursue this mission was met with skepticism and, at times, opposition, but she persisted—grounded in self-compassion and the resilience to continue despite setbacks.

She reflects often on the privilege her two sons enjoy: clean water, food, shelter, and education in America. She recognizes that these are not universal guarantees. “A child is but a child after all and deserves to be loved and cared for,” she says, extending her love for children beyond just her own.

Her resilience has also been tested by grief. The loss of her father in December 2024 was a difficult turning point. During her mourning, she experienced what she calls “denied grief,” leading to hospitalization. Yet she emerged with renewed strength, courage, and ambition. Reminding herself that “it is okay not to be okay,” she has turned vulnerability into strength, pain into service, and loss into a deeper understanding of love and compassion.

Conscious Capitalism in Action

Shabana’s approach reflects a larger cultural shift. Consumers are increasingly seeking brands that align with their values. Conscious capitalism recognizes that profit and purpose can coexist, and companies have the potential to shape society for the better.
In an industry where fast food is often associated with efficiency and profit, Shabana is challenging this narrative. Her businesses demonstrate that even in highly commercial sectors, operations can be aligned with empathy and compassion.

Her vision is ambitious. Within five years, she hopes to expand across Northern and Southern California, with the ultimate goal of creating a global franchise. Yet for her, expansion is not only about growth—it is about ensuring each new restaurant serves as part of a larger mission of mercy, where food becomes an agent of healing and dignity.

A Thought Leader for the Future

Shabana’s philosophy resonates with a growing cultural movement demanding leadership models based on integrity and compassion. Her work provides a potential blueprint for this new leadership paradigm.

Her upcoming self-help book, Love Me First, Love Me Last, connects personal healing with leadership. Actively seeking a literary agency, she reflects on her journey of self-love after enduring childhood bullying and navigating adulthood with depression and anxiety. Despite the challenges, she has grown and gained a more profound understanding of herself along the way.

Alongside the book, her certification through the Jay Shetty Life Coaching program will allow her to guide others in finding value in their own visions. She envisions working with a select number of clients each year and hopes to speak at women’s conferences to advocate for self-compassion and awareness. Poetry and public speaking, she notes, have always been natural extensions of her voice.

A Redefined Legacy

At its core, Shabana’s story is one of redefinition. She has taken the traditional language of business—wealth, power, and success—and infused it with empathy, service, and purpose. Her vision is not solely built on profit but on the lives touched through her restaurants, her nonprofit, and her voice.

Her journey presents a revised proposition: that a shawarma can help fund literacy, that a falafel can contribute to global justice, and that fast food itself can become an instrument of mercy.

Through Mercy Mediterranean, Luna’s Halal Taqueria, and Miracles 4 Mercy, Shabana is creating a movement that redefines what success can look like. It is a mission not of money or status, but of empathy—a movement where every bite is an act of healing, and every act of healing is a step toward a more merciful world.