Belonging to a well-to-do family of doctors, Faizan Mohammadof Hyderpora, Srinagar instead of following the family path to become a doctorwanted to do something on his own. That is why he chose to become anentrepreneur.
“My parents never wanted me to be a businessman because myfather is a doctor and my brother is an engineer. So they wanted me to choosethe same line but I always aspired to be an entrepreneur who can createemployment opportunities for others as well,” says 26-year-old Faizan.
Faizan says this ‘entrepreneurial bug’ has bit him very early and he started his first venture at the age of nineteen.
With the financial help of his father, Faizan started cookware manufacturing business with an investment of Rs 1 lakh. He manufactured pressure cookers, frying pans and many such other items under the brand name of Samzan.
“I was just in my 2nd year of BBA when I startedthis business. Initially there were lot of hurdles as being new to this field,but I never lost hope. I managed both my study and business easily,” saysFaizan
“My goal to become an entrepreneur is grounded in the factthat we need to solve the problems, which we deeply care about. If we addressan issue or need felt in the society, it impacts a huge number of people andmakes their lives better. Ideas don’t have barriers and success today is notalways counted in the currency of our past generations.”
In October 2017 after completing his MBA from AmityUniversity, New Delhi, Faizan with the help of hiswife Syed Samiya laid the foundation of a fortified salt unitunder the brand name of Samzan salt in collaboration with Ankur ChemfoodLtd, one of the largest salt refineries in India. Presently Samzan is an ISO9001:2008 certified company, a renowned and trustworthy manufacturer andsupplier of FMCG cookware and household products. The couple is successfullymanaging the whole business with the help of other employees.
“My wife has been always supportive to me through thick andthin. It was the collective decision from both of us. I took help from J&KBank because the need of fianance for my project was beyond the limit of EDIfunding, so I found J&K Bank more suitable,” says Faizan.
In collaboration with Ankur Chemfood, Samzan producessalt.
Established businessmen such as Faizan view their success,especially during volatile times, as a sign of possibility because itcan create more job opportunities for the unemployed youth of Kashmir
“More people venturing into business mean more jobopportunities will be available for the people of Kashmir,” Faizan says, butcautions that it should not be a blind jump.
“One should always go for market research before launchingany kind of business. Being the successful businessman is not everybody’s cupof tea. It needs lot of determination to survive in a particular business,” headds.
Optimistic about Kashmir’s entrepreneurial opportunities,Faizan says, “Access to capital and sense of belief in the system that Kashmircan produce global products that is the direction we all should move in.”
“When you aim to redefine your business the challenges arevery big but that also helps in getting better. Our salt sample wasrejected by Jammu food testing laboratory, though it was accepted by theKashmir lab. But I didn’t lose hope and sent my sample to a premier institutionof the country, Central Food Laboratory, Kolkata, and my product passed allquality norms there,” he says.
“Although I faced lot of difficulties, my team of employeesare very much dedicated they supported in every possible way,” says Faizan.
As Faizan has now tasted success and his profit is good, hehas decided to run a foundation for the help of needy people. Faizan says, hewill contribute 5 percent of his profit to the foundation.
“We have a number of future plans but my first priority will be the foundation, where we can do something for our society in Kashmir,” he concludes.
MALIK NISAR