SD Asia encourages more entrepreneurs in �Demo day�
AUMIA HAQ
The whole idea of holding a 12 week Bootcamp was to inspire and nurture aspiring entrepreneurs and their projects. Now among all the experienced entrepreneurs with their minimum value products already rolled out, there was one participant, a student, who only had an idea and a lot zeal to make it happen. SD Asia speaks with Wasif Chowdhury, a student, an aspiring entrepreneur and one of our Bootcamp participants on Demo day.
What ignited the spark in you to start your own business? How did the idea for your business come about?
Ever since I started studying doing a double major and studying for other professional degrees all of that led me to the idea of starting a consultancy company like Accenture, Mckenzie etc.
The plan was to have a consultancy firm sometime in the future.
How do you outline your typical day?
Well, if I have classes, I go to classes, if I dont, I usually go to my dads office to see how the business plays out and learn more about how it all works.
What advice would you give to young people who want to become entrepreneurs?
Id advise them to start working on it. You dont have to take large steps right away, but at least have something in the works. Because once youre done with your studies and youre planning to take your steps, then, you basically lose your time. As we all know the job market is already saturated and competition is reaching its peak. So one has to plan ahead to save precious time, in order to have ones his or her own identity after a certain time in future.
What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
You need to be confident and you need to believe in what youre doing. You also need concrete facts to back up your idea, because if you dont itll be ten times harder by the time one has to implement their plan and reflect on their actions.
What have been some of your failures, and what have you learned from them?
Well, Ive had failures just like everyone else. They all may not be from a business standpoint, but I think the crucial lesson is to take away from it is not to repeat the mistake.
How do you define success?
Achieving what you want to achieve is one of the many other definitions of success. Having reached that final goal, whatever that may be, whether its to be successful at business, being a more social or philanthropic person, as long as you set a target and achieve that, its success.
Do you believe there is a formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
May be there is, like following steps of real time successful people can be regarded as a formula, but for me, I dont think so, it varies from people to people.
A politician can be successful for all the wrong reasons and a philanthropic person can be successful right for all the right reasons.
What book has inspired you the most?
I read the Forbes magazine a lot and thats been pretty influential for me.
What is your favourite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
The classic fact of entrepreneur is You get to be your own boss.
What sacrifices have you had to make to be an entrepreneur?
Since Im a student, I havent had to make a lot of substantial sacrifices. However, I know that given a choice between an employee with a payment of $10,000 dollar and an owner of a company with less pay, but more freedom, Id always choose the latter one rather than the other option.
How are your views different now, after youve participated in the SD Asia 12 Week Entrepreneur Bootcamp? What changes are you going to implement after having participated in the Bootcamp?
I think things more practically now. Sort of like a reality check. All of this time I had this illusion that things will work off and Ill be successful, but now I realise things can get quite complicated and Bootcamp has helped get that real time feedback.
From the Bootcamp speakers who inspired you the most?
I was really inspired by the insights of Zarif Munir from Boston Consulting Group. Rafi Mustafa was really great with his vibrant energy filling up the room. Kalsoom Lakhani was also great in her arena as she talked a lot about values, which is really crucial.
How has the Bootcamp helped you?
I hope they do this on a regular basis. I couldnt attend a lot of sessions due to my university classes colliding but the sessions I managed to attend really hit home and changed my perspective.
Im definitely coming for a full experience next time SD Asia rolls out another Bootcamp.
One can obtain more information by visiting http://sdasia.co/ or https://www.facebook.com/SDAsia.co
