About
Joanne F. Karkour is a Scaling Up Certified Coach and founder of ThinkBIG | Scale Smart. 30+ years building, leading, and turning around businesses across agro-food, tech, retail, manufacturing, and export. She empowers founders and executive teams to unlock bold growth without losing sight of purpose or performance.
Her unique edge
Joanne’s relentless drive, creative thinking, and entrepreneurship experience have guided founders and CEOs, built category-leading brands, and expanded markets. She is the leading voice on implementing Scaling Up in uncertain economies, helping founders and family businesses build clarity, alignment, execution, and sustainable growth. Joanne coaches in Arabic, English, and French across Lebanon, the GCC, North Africa and Francophone Europe.
Human & Whole
A founding board member of Fair Trade Lebanon, recognized in 2024 by the Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce for empowering women through trade, and a Kilimanjaro summiteer, Joanne brings discipline, and heart to every engagement.

Professional Highlights
Business Consultant: - 25 Years Experienced
Business Entrepreneur - 15 Years
Board Member Fair Trade Lebanon - 20 Years
Marketing and Advertising - 10 Years

Personal Highlights
Joanne holds a Master’s degree in Economics from Université Saint-Joseph and a DESS in Telecommunications and Technology Management from Paris-Dauphine University. 

Coaching Regions
Africa
Europe
Middle East

Industry of Expertise
Accounting/Finance
Automotive
Building/Construction
Coaching/Business Consulting
Computer/IT/Software Development
Creative/Design
Customer Support
Food Services/Hospitality
Insurance
Logistics/Transportation
Manufacturing/Production/Operations
Marketing
Retail