Ashfak, Chief Executive Officer at Around Views began in 2018. He has played a crucial role in providing a business perspective on the Board which aims to help businesses grow through the recognition of the work.
As an entrepreneur, what is it that motivates and drives you?
I think a lot of entrepreneurs will say the same. It is not about the money. I don’t know if it’s a lack of confidence or a surfeit of confidence but you always want to prove yourself, you’re never quite satisfied – and that might express itself in being very competitive. You just want to do your own thing and are prepared to take huge risks to do it.
In one word, describe your life as an entrepreneur.
Struggle - it feels like a constant struggle. You are never quite satisfied, always trying to push the boundaries, and then moving onto the next thing – which inevitably takes you back to starting over again.
What do you put your success down to?
I think it is being able to take several leaps ahead in your mind. It’s like a Rubiks cube - you see something and it is all jumbled up – but you know there’s some clarity in there somewhere. And it’s being able to visualise what can result from that clutter that makes the difference
What would you say are the key elements for starting and running a successful business?
Knowledge, contacts and experience. These things are priceless.
Most successful businesses evolve from knowledge of the industry that you’ve been working in before – and how successful you were in your previous career. You might not have an idea today – but get the most qualifications you can and work as hard as you can in your career – because that will help in the future
I’m told that in Silicon Valley, the average age of starting a business is 38 years old. They’ve done their time and they really know their stuff.
Who inspires you?
An Antarctic explorer called Ernest Shackleton. I read a book about him when I was quite young, I think I was about 16. It was about his epic journey to save his men and it was just his determination never to give up and his struggle that was truly inspiring.
How did you get involved with this business? Why?
Over the last 3 years, what I realised is that I never knew exactly where to find advice or knowledge and even if I found it, had no real idea how good it was going to be.
When I first engaged with this business in 2016, it was a revelation to me. Actually what I met was some very passionate people with a huge knowledge of the real world of business, across both multinationals and also entrepreneurship and enterprise.
What has been the most rewarding part of your?
The most rewarding part is seeing the way it has evolved over the years. When I talk to colleagues I would say that 2 years ago 1 in 10 might say that they engage with their business or that they put some of their colleagues through a course. However, now I would say it is the majority that say they do. That is fantastic to see.
What do you hope to see happen in the near future for small businesses in the UK?
Within 3-5 years, I would hope that business schools will become the hub for enterprise and entrepreneurship in the UK, in the same way as they are in the US. I would like to see us evolve along the US model.
How do you generate new ideas?
I don’t think you generate them in a Eureka moment, it is more about being open to ideas and acting upon them. The world is full of ideas - everyone has got an idea at some time – but not everyone knows how to act upon them. Business can really help in that respect. I wouldn’t say I learnt which are good ideas – but I certainly learnt which are definitely not.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs who are starting out?
Do it with a colleague, a partner or an associate - someone who shares your vision. The most successful start-ups that survive the first 2 to 5 years tend to be a team. That’s important because you need your ideas to be challenged. Partnerships tend to be more robust than single entrepreneurs.
What are your future plans?
Over the last 12 months, I’ve become absolutely fascinated by the pet industry and the dynamics of what is happening in the world of pets. I’m talking about the humanisation of pets and the implications this has for the products we will buying for our pets in the future.
I am moving to the US in beginning of October to start a new venture and joining loosely with 2 associates that I have known for some time. You’ll hear this a lot about entrepreneurs and the way they sustain strong loose ties with associates over many years – dipping in and out of projects together. I really love that dynamic.
Best of luck with your new venture Ashfak! A huge thank you for your Interview.
