Photo courtesy of Mr. Joseph Tanus Chubatte
Behind every successful business or landing on one’s dream role lies grit, perseverance, and unrelenting ambition. This is the story of Joseph Tanus Chubatte, known as Joseph Chebat, a Lebanese-born self-made entrepreneur who rose from humble beginnings to become the co-founder of more than 12 companies across the United Arab Emirates and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Today, people celebrate Joseph Chubatte as a leader in insurance, consultancy, trade, gold, and e-commerce. But before his success, the entrepreneur’s journey was filled with challenges that tested and shaped him into the titan he is today.
Coming from Humble Beginnings
Joseph Chubatte’s journey began in Lebanon, where he was born on September 20, 1973. His early life was far from privileged, but it was rich in lessons that would later define his character. After graduating from the Institute International Jounieh Lebanon in 1992, Chubatte started his career in door-to-door sales.
The self-made entrepreneur admitted that he found this humble beginning anything but easy. Walking from house to house with products in hand required resilience, adaptability, and a belief in himself. Yet, this experience gave him invaluable real-world insights into sales and communication.
He learned how to present ideas effectively and connect with people, a skill set that would be instrumental in his future professional career. This instilled in him a work ethic rooted in persistence and determination.
Joseph Chubatte mentions, “Starting is always the hardest. But in these hard starting times, I learned practical principles and was challenged to be creative and think outside the box.”
A Time of Growth and Self-Discovery
The Lebanese war presented both challenges and opportunities for Joseph Chubatte. During this period, in 1991, he traveled to Cyprus, where he discovered his innate talent for sales as he became the top salesperson at a timeshare company. Returning to Lebanon after this success, Chubatte transitioned into the insurance industry in 1994 as an insurance broker.
Over the next five years, he honed his skills and deepened his understanding of the field. In 1999, he established himself as a freelance insurance broker—a role that allowed him to expand his network and refine his technique. In 2006, Joseph Chubatte boldly moved to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. There, he joined Al Dhafra Insurance Company PSJ as a business development manager.
His performance was nothing short of extraordinary. Within two years, he was promoted to assistant general manager, overseeing sales, marketing, and business development. This promotion highlighted Joseph Chubatte’s unique blend of skills—an understanding of the insurance industry, an innate ability to connect with clients, and a forward-thinking outlook on business strategy.
Joseph Chubatte reflects, “There were a lot of changes that pushed me to strive for excellence while adapting to transitions and different demands the role requires.”
The Leap into Entrepreneurship
As a dreamer himself, Joseph Chubatte did not stop dreaming and achieving more. In October 2010, fueled by his passion for insurance and with profound sales, finance, and leadership knowledge, Chubatte leaped into entrepreneurship, establishing Capital Shield Insurance Brokers LLC (CSIB).
Joseph Chubatte shares that, just like any other startup, CSIB’s early days were far from glamorous. Starting with just two employees and a small office, Chubatte faced the daunting task of building a business from scratch in a highly competitive market.
Companies met his attempts to convince them to use his insurance broker services with skepticism and rejection. Yet, Joseph Chubatte persevered, guided by the philosophy that “there is nothing like a dream to create the future.”
What set CSIB apart was the founder’s commitment to value. He differentiated his company by prioritizing superior coverage, competitive premiums, and exceptional after-sales service. This client-centric method, combined with Joseph Chubatte’s extensive industry knowledge and innovative thinking, slowly but surely began to pay off.
Over the next 14 years, CSIB grew from a startup into one of the UAE’s leading insurance brokerage companies. Under Joseph Chubatte’s leadership, the company expanded its team to over 100 employees. It now manages billions of dollars in insured assets, including defense contractors’ marine hulls, airports, ports, aviation, and power plants.
Chubatte also owns multiple companies in various sectors, such as trading, technology, e-commerce, etc. However, his entrepreneurial journey was not just about growing a successful business but also about pushing the boundaries of what was possible in the insurance industry. Eleven years ago, the self-made entrepreneur pioneered the first smart insurance app in the MENA region, maximizing technology to improve customer experience.
Chubatte shares, “The biggest risk in insurance isn’t taking chances—it’s standing still. In an industry all about mitigating risk, the real danger lies in failing to innovate and adapt.”
A New Chapter
Even at the height of his career, Joseph Chubatte faced challenges that tested his resilience and resolve. In 2020, during his company’s expansion in Iraq, he encountered a series of alleged accusations and legal disputes.
These issues, which he attributes to what he describes as the “commercial and financial greed of certain individuals,” exposed him to blackmail attempts and lawsuits. For many, such pressures might have been insurmountable, but Joseph Chubatte fought back with integrity and won every case against him in Lebanon and Iraq.
Rather than allowing these adversities to hinder him, Joseph Chubatte transformed them into opportunities for growth and reinvention. By 2022, the company underwent a strategic evolution after over a decade of establishing a prominent presence in the UAE’s insurance market through Capital Shield Insurance Brokers (CSIB). Partnering with Royal Strategic Partners, CSIB rebranded as Abu Dhabi Insurance Brokers (AIB).
Under Joseph Chubatte’s continued leadership, AIB has retained its core management team while embracing innovation and growth. The rebranding strengthened its position and opened many market opportunities with clients across diverse sectors.
From Leadership to Philanthropy
Joseph Chubatte has been married for more than 25 years to Lina Chekrallah, and they share three children: Pierre, Steven, and Ashley. Today, beyond his remarkable professional achievements, he dedicates himself to philanthropy and community engagement, reflecting a sense of gratitude for the opportunities he has received throughout his journey. Through giving back to the community, the self-made entrepreneur hopes to empower and inspire others to overcome challenges, just as he did.
Reflecting on his journey from door-to-door sales to becoming an insurance titan leading one of the UAE’s most successful brokerage firms today, Joseph Chubatte concluded, “Success is not about avoiding challenges; it’s about embracing them with courage and turning them into opportunities for growth. There’s no blueprint for success but your own will and determination.”
