Sharique Hasan speaks to community members about business strategies
In late December 2022, a seminar and workshop on business practices and encouraging entrepreneurship was organized within the Dawoodi Bohra community of Raleigh, North Carolina. Mr. Sharique Hasan, a Bohra community member and Associate Professor of Strategy at Duke University, presented valuable tips and insights to aspiring entrepreneurs.
The president of the North Carolina Dawoodi Bohra community opened the seminar with a keynote address on the concept of “business mindedness” which incorporates seizing opportunities to provide value to others whilst striving for personal growth, financial freedom, and uplifting the entrepreneurial spirit of one’s country. This mindset itself is the inspiration behind the community’s focus on business and trade. Professor Hasan then followed with a presentation focused on various aspects of starting and running a successful business, including market research, product development, financial management, and marketing strategies in a knowledge-packed 4-hour session. He emphasized the importance of innovation and creativity in business, as well as the need to identify and understand customer needs and preferences. The seminar concluded with a case study presented by community member Meezan Qayumi who shared his learning experience of how he started and grew his Urgent Care business.
The seminar provided an excellent opportunity for Dawoodi Bohra entrepreneurs to network with each other and share their experiences and challenges. The event also showcased various successful Bohra-owned businesses, inspiring participants to follow in their footsteps and contribute positively to economic growth.
Participants shared that holding such sessions was “very effective” and that “more such sessions should be planned in the future”. By the end of the seminar, not only were they well-equipped with practical knowledge and tools to help them start and run their own successful businesses, but they left feeling motivated to take on the challenges of entrepreneurship in today’s economy.