Tamar (27) and Asher (32) Shayo are a business and personal couple who have become well-known on the Israeli design scene over the past five years. They own Nano Kitchen, an impressive and innovative showroom on Lich Street in Bnei Brak, and a 2,600 square meter state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Emanuel. Their bold decision to commit all their energy and resources a few years ago has proven to be the right one; today, their company is at the forefront of the local design scene.
The couple have been married for almost 10 years. At the start of their journey, Asher managed a small but successful woodworking workshop that he built from the ground up in Elishama, while Tamar studied interior design. “The world of woodworking has been in my blood since a young age,” says Asher. “My relatives specialize in the wood industry and my closest relatives own companies that specialize in different aspects of the field, including bedrooms and children's rooms. I remember being drawn to this world as a child, especially on holidays. I started at the bottom, which is the most labour intensive work, and over the years I became skilled in all aspects of the field, from installation in clients' homes to designing and selling furniture details.”
“At the age of 24, I took the plunge and opened my own workshop, specialising in craftsmanship at the time. My aim from the very beginning was to offer designers and end customers well-planned, high-quality products, using advanced techniques and innovative solutions. This is precisely why the business flourished from an early stage.”
“After four years, Tamar and I decided it was time to take another leap. What drove us to do so was our desire to offer an even higher quality product, using the best raw materials and most precise finishes in the industry. Our small workshop was already struggling to keep up with the growing demand. We made many sacrifices, used our savings and opened an innovative, advanced kitchen manufacturing factory. This factory runs on advanced technology, especially with a combination of computer-controlled machines imported from Germany, which operate without human intervention, allowing for impeccable precision and producing stunning details.”
As you can imagine, they didn't stop there: in parallel with the opening of the factory, they began the complex process of developing an exclusive new showroom of around 300 square metres – a one-stop shop offering kitchen buyers a comprehensive solution, from planning, designing and manufacturing the furniture to supplying the countertops and appliances, all under one roof.
“The decision to transform the existing workshop into a larger, more modern complex was an obvious one. To create a different kind of showroom, we worked closely for a whole year with renowned interior designer Nitzan Horowitz (planning), branding and advertising experts, as well as professional consultants with extensive experience in the kitchen sector. Everyone was committed to their work, and it is clearly visible in the final result,” recalls Tamar.
“The process was complex and required preparation and consideration. Along the way, many questions arose: who we wanted to be, how would we handle the increasing order volume in our production system, how did we want to look? That's why, despite the large space, we only have five kitchens on display in our showroom. By doing so, we highlight the luxury of our products, the level of finishes, the materials and the special techniques, and showcase the endless possibilities without overwhelming the layers,” Tamar adds. “We went through a common journey of refining and distilling the DNA of our company. There were many hurdles and difficulties, but we didn't give up. We believe that our passion for our field is very much reflected in the final product. Our true desire to offer our customers personal attention, almost 24-hour service and a comprehensive response from start to finish is very well reflected in the place we have created.”
“We believe that the success of the business is due to the absolute synergy between us. We are constantly taking and executing important decisions,” adds Asher. “The best time for us to work on the process is actually not during working hours, but afterwards, at the most unexpected times: after the laptop has already been closed and the kids have gone to bed, or in the early hours of the morning, when one of us wakes the other up with a big idea that has come to mind. We sleep and wake up with a passion to create, develop and innovate. It is really in our souls and each of us brings added value and expertise. I am in charge of the product development side, Tamar is in charge of marketing and everything to do with working with customers, designers and architects. We connect the world and execute every decision in the best and most informed way possible.”
“When it comes to our business, we are passionate and never rest on our laurels,” says Tamar. “We have a clear vision to open a chain of kitchens in the coming years, offering comprehensive coverage to our customers in different parts of the country, from north to south, so they don't have to travel far. The chain we envision will allow our customers across the country to enjoy the ability to design a kitchen that perfectly suits their very specific needs as a family, integrating cutting edge developments and patents long before they become the norm. We are aware of the evolution of the modern kitchen and will act accordingly. That's the way we have always worked and that's how it will always continue to be.”
