Entrepreneurship week 2013: Creating something bigger than yourself!

Inspiration always has a unique way of showing itself. It can hide in a single petal of a blooming flower during a rainy day or it can reveal itself in the grandeur of the planetary enclave. And then, there are times when it just dwells in the actions of mortal human beings, making itself evident only upon discovery.

With me, it was through discovering about Tour Planner, the online travel and tourism business line run by entrepreneur Khalid Mushtaq, that I came across inspiration and motivation for success.

Transcending all boundaries, be it conventional or monetary, Mushtaq was able to begin this setup which would help others plan a better and more comprehensive tour for themselves.

An IBA graduate and a zealous individual, Mushtaq believed in beginning an enterprise once he was done with his MBA.

After constant and vigilant research, he decided to embark on the world of e-commerce. With the meager capital of his own savings and aid from friends and family, Mushtaq was able to establish Pakistan’s biggest domestic online hotel and holiday booking portal.

Though only five months old, this portal has gained great momentum. Their website incorporates multimedia, and is formed on such designs which entertain classic professionalism blended with a fun outlook.

According to Mushtaq, the most important thing in a business is the trust of the customer. He believes that revenue generation can make a business run smoothly, but it is the trust and satisfaction of his customers which makes their work all the more worthwhile.

Mushtaq developed his portal in partnership with a software company, by making them his technology partners through a barter arrangement.

At the ripe age of 26, Mushtaq believes in the spirit of entrepreneurship. He terms it as,

'Creating something which is bigger than yourself.'

Even though the people in Pakistan are not very well tuned with e-commerce so far, Mushtaq is hopeful for his business’s success. He envisions his business as the largest travel portal for Pakistan and the Central Asia within the next 10 years, and seeing how progressively he is employing his resources, that milestone is not very far away.

While reading about his journey from an MBA graduate to a full-fledged entrepreneur, I could not help but feel a sense of awe and reverence towards his dedication and will in creating something amazing and useful at the same time. Like an artist who puts his brush on the canvas and paints art which is magnificent as well as inspirational, Mushtaq was able to create the same sense in his business, giving it the peculiar sense of a corporate artwork.

On being asked as to whether he employs the social media for his benefits, this was Mushtaq had to say about it.

‘Mostly we do our marketing via online blogs, emails and through building partnerships. But yes, the social media is important for creating awareness about ones business. Although, due to the ever changing policies of Facebook and its counterparts, it has become difficult to get an organic social media reach, this media can be used as a part of CRM and a window for a two way communication’

Happy customers make up a happy business, and that is the same story with Tour Planner.

Going through his profile, I could not help it anymore. I just had to ask him. Was there any part played by luck in his magical journey so far? And to my question, this was what he had to say.

‘People say opportunity knocks only once. But I believe that it is luck, which brings opportunity to our doorsteps. If one is prepared to take this opportunity with one’s own efforts, then one can be successful. However luck cannot bring you permanent success. It only works as a turbo button that can be used once during a game. So use it carefully’

When I asked him to advice me on how to walk in his footsteps, he offered me the following words of advice, garlanded with his own experience.

• Understand and know the market you operate in and its dynamics.
• Always have a backup plan ready.
• Don’t get stressed out. Just try to solve the issue at hand by discussing it with people you trust. 

While commenting on how to grow ones business effectively, he gave the following points which can notably change ones approach to business.

‘You must have four things for fast growth of your business.

1.       Knowledge of Market,

2.       Knowledge of competition,  

3.       Knowledge of people in domain and

4.       Your own experience.  

You can start without all these things as well, but then be prepared for a long journey ahead of you, marred with difficulty, as you would have to build your image and create trust in the market you operate in.’ 

This Islamabad based entrepreneur had the vision and the ability to pull greatness through. It is refreshing to see such passion for growth and development in the nation when many are plunged in despair and distress.

We need more entrepreneurs like Khalid Mushtaq, so that this country can strive on, with its backbone being these small and local businesses who give in their fair share to harness and stabilize the economy.

Winter Mornings

Mornings are always a tedious time to deal with. And this task increases tenfold when it’s in the winter season. It’s like the blanket on your bed has seized you and became a part of your body, and leaving it would mean that you rupture a part of yourself when you wake up. This task becomes even more difficult when the prospect of waking up is not that strong. Be it an early class, or an errand to run, waking up becomes a menace and one does not want to leave the warm and humble abode created by your bed sheets.

Another issue which the winter mornings bring with them is the freshening up part. To wash your face with the cold, heartless, and almost painful water can be a major downer for you, and this in turn discourages you to leave the bed. Add the cold breezes coming from your room’s balcony, and see how fast the chills travel down your spine. Many a times I think if waking up is the only tangible tension I have in life. But then again, it’s also the most easily dealt with, due its frequency.

However, winter mornings have their perks too, if you somehow overcome the waking up bit or if you have been awake the whole night. My point is, if one fully experiences these mornings, either in terms of walks, a breakfast plan or simply a cup of coffee with while you while you stand in your balcony, all these aspects make these mornings a memorable part for our senses to dwell upon later.

So keeping all pains in mind, the morning perks can also be enjoyed, if you are not a sleep-lover that is.