INTERVIEW OF THE FOUNDER OF BOSHQAB
I am keen to discover story behind this start-up and related questions with It. Interested? Then go through the following article.
Q1: What inspired you? How did this idea of
starting a tableware business come to your mind?
I started
this with my counterpart. My counterpart and I have been best friends and we
together wanted to start something of our own. We used to often talk about
forming our own start-up and coming up with different ideas. Before this, we
did a few experiments as well which didn’t work out. One fine day, we decided
to go ahead with the family business but with our own view and twist. It took
us days to come up with the perfect name. We had so many names to choose from
but somehow it never clicked. I always had the word ‘Boshqab’ in mind. I texted
it to my counterpart and we decided to go for it. We then straightaway worked
on the logo, the branding and the social media.
The family of my
counterpart has been in the dinnerware business for the past years but they
have been catering to limited clientele only, without making it a proper brand.
Q2. What is the concept behind the name
Boshqab?
The idea behind the term Boshqab was inspired by our love
for Persian language. Boshqab refers to plate in Farsi, which is basically the
centerpiece of Boshqab’s tableware.
Q3. When did you know you wanted to start a
business?
I was always passionate about the idea of having my own
company or being an entrepreneur. After I graduated with a degree in Business
and Management, I started working coinciding jobs. I was a marketing
enthusiast. I loved what I was doing but I was simultaneously looking for new ideas
to start my own start-up. My expertise was in marketing and I was doing graphic
designing as a requirement for my work. One day I realized my passion for graphic
designing as well and decided to start my digital branding business. Later on,
I started Boshqab, combining my passion of marketing and graphic designing in
one. That’s how I started my journey of entrepreneurship.
Q4: Would you continue it as an online
business or do you think you will proceed for its physical presence?
Starting
an online business is likely your best option during the pandemic, but it is by
NO means a last. I would definitely do this both ways. Since after the pandemic,
businesses have been forced to move online. It's more of a survival issue now.
It became a need for the business that were not previously working online. So,
this was the best time for me to start online and gradually set up a physical
space. Even though, the ease of setting up online is not the same to set up a
physical store. But I do have an image
of a physical store in mind and I would definitely make it happen.
Also, I do understand
the fact that many customers prefer visiting a physical store and many are
still skeptical of shopping online.
Q5: Where are you based and do you cater
orders from other cities as well?
We’re actually based in Islamabad, however, we do of
course cater orders all over Pakistan. Wherever our customers are, we get it
delivered at their doorstep.
Q6: What are the qualities you think an entrepreneur must have?
Creativity and Passion!
An entrepreneur
creates, organises and runs their own business. Becoming an entrepreneur starts
with an idea. Passion is what drives entrepreneurs. They usually love what they
do.
And of course,
persistence and patience is the most basic and essential quality of a
successful entrepreneur.
Q7: What keeps you going while working with
‘Boshqab’?
Being my
own boss! And I get to work from my home in my sweatpants. As your own boss,
you are free to work whenever and wherever you like. I’m not a morning person,
so I don’t have to start work early in the morning.
Most importantly, the
only thing that keeps me going is the passion and the vision I have for Boshqab
and for everyone associated with it.
It doesn't feel like
work is a necessitation because I'm doing exactly what I want to do, with the
people I love and I enjoy it.
Also, it’s the
ability to arrange my life around my own priorities, energy and preferred work
rhythms. I can take advantage of the remote work flexibility. I am able to set
my own schedule, I can decide my own hours, take days off and work at my own
pace. I can even travel and work if necessary.
Q9: What values do you think your employees
must have and what kind of a culture you want to create in your company?
A fun,
easy going, and dedicated work culture. When you get the company culture right,
great customer service and a great brand will happen on its own.
I believe in teamwork
and empowering employees means authorising, enabling and permitting employees
to act on their own initiative, as far as they meet the deadline. Ideally, this should result in increased
employee involvement, enthusiasm, creativity and innovation.
I believe employee values
are a good indicator of success. The most important value I look for in a person
working with me is professionalism, dependability and responsibility. It’s
important to keep supervisors well-informed of changes in your schedule and the
progress of the tasks you have been assigned. Furthermore, they should be
motivated to grow, learn and adapt. Adaptability also means adapting to the
personality and work habits of the supervisors to work effectively as a team.
Q10. Do you plan to expand your business? If
yes, what items you want to include?
Of course,
we’re planning to expand to include items other than just dinnerware. We will
be expanding towards small household items as well.
Q11. Do you see yourself doing this long
term?
Absolutely! I love doing this with my counterpart and I couldn’t have done it
alone. It’s so fun!
Q12. What is one piece of advice you would
give to young adults starting their own business?
Starting your own
business requires patience. Keep it simple, try to start small and narrow your
focus.
If you are about to embark on the journey to be an entrepreneur or have just entered the journey, with persistence, you’re able to pick yourself back up and keep moving towards your goals. Being consistent is extremely important, even if your business is not stable. The goal is to create a plan, stick to it, analyse if it worked, and if not, start again. Don’t let it go down the drain.
To get to know more about this interesting start up and view their beautiful caption and posts, you need to visit these links.
https://www.facebook.com/boshqabtableware
https://www.instagram.com/boshqabtableware/
ABOUT THE CO-FOUNDER: HAFSA SOHAIL
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