Entrepreneurs Talking Entrepreneurship

In a region where aspirations often wrestle with uncertainty, the Kashmir Care Foundation continues to light the way for students and young professionals seeking direction, growth, and inspiration. Staying true to its mission of mentorship and empowerment, the Foundation recently hosted another impactful event titled “Making Up of an Entrepreneur for Leadership Roles and Successful Businesses.”

Held on May 28, the interactive session gathered a dynamic panel of entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds to share not only their journeys, but also the practical realities of starting and sustaining a business.

The session was moderated by Mahrukh Banday, a biotech executive based in California, who introduced the event by posing a fundamental question: “Who is an entrepreneur?” She described the archetype as an imaginative risk-taker, a data-driven problem solver, someone who acts quickly and remains focused on measurable goals. The event also marked the announcement of two new members to KCF’s Core Working Group, Mr. Haroon Rashid and Mr. Rameez Sudhan, both of whom bring further experience and energy to the Foundation’s mission.

What followed was a vivid tapestry of lived experiences from five accomplished individuals whose stories were as inspiring as they were instructive.

From Srinagar to Silicon Valley

The session opened with Shafat Qazi, co-founder and former CEO of BQE Software in Los Angeles. His journey began at Burn Hall School and led him to an engineering degree from NIT Srinagar. After moving to the United States, he enrolled in a short program with just seven hundred dollars in his pocket, far short of the two thousand five hundred dollars required. Despite these financial hurdles, he persevered, graduated, and eventually became the co-owner of a firm where he once worked as an employee.

His pivotal entrepreneurial moment came in the waiting room of a doctor’s clinic, where the idea of billing software first took shape. He left his job, started coding from his garage, and after eighteen months of hard work, founded BQE Software. Today, beyond his business success, Shafat has checked off numerous personal goals, including learning to fly a plane, producing a feature film about Kashmiri singer Raj Begum, and visiting nearly eighty countries out of a personal goal of one hundred.

A Passion Baked Into a Business

The next story belonged to Sana Imtiyaz, the founder of Sweet Temptations, a bakery in Kashmir. Encouraged by her parents to pursue medicine, Sana’s path diverged when she attended Miranda House in Delhi. Her passion for baking had long simmered under the surface. While other children were glued to cartoons, Sana was captivated by culinary shows like Khana Khazana and spent her childhood diligently copying recipes into notebooks.

What began as a hobby transformed into a business when she completed a hotel management course and launched her baking venture with just two thousand rupees and a household oven. At first, she received only one order a week. But over time, especially during the COVID-19 lockdown, her small business grew into a bustling operation, fulfilling up to fifteen orders daily. She credits her growth to word-of-mouth referrals, social media, and participation in culinary events like Big Chef Kashmir 2018.

From Bandipora to Breakthrough Innovation

Dr. Javaid Wani’s story added a scientific dimension to the panel. A native of Bandipora, he vividly recalled his early days traveling on bus rooftops to attend school. He was the first in his family to earn a college degree, studying biology at SP College in Srinagar. Enthralled by science, he once concocted a homemade remedy for his mother using tethven, or absinthe. Despite a foray into geology, law, and electrical engineering, he eventually found his calling in biotechnology.

Today, Dr. Wani is the founder of Biocentra LLC in Texas, where he has developed a unique and non-invasive test for brain trauma. His company is currently seeking five million dollars in funding to expand this innovation. He firmly believes that Kashmir has immense potential in biotechnology and is willing to invest and mentor aspiring biotech entrepreneurs from the Valley.

Engineering Success Without a Playbook

Another compelling narrative came from Mustafa Trumboo, CEO of Fortune Enterprises. With no formal background in business, Mustafa has built a successful gypsum mining company that supplies major cement manufacturers. Trained as a mechanical engineer in Bangalore and a lifelong automobile enthusiast, he learned accounting, business management, and the Tally Prime software on his own.

He emphasized that entrepreneurship is fundamentally about solving problems and adapting to uncertainty. In his own words, he advised, “Write your goals with a pen and your strategies with a pencil,” reminding the audience to stay committed while remaining flexible.

A Rich Dialogue of Ideas and Insight

Throughout the session, moderator Mahrukh Banday facilitated a lively discussion with questions that prompted reflection and learning. When asked about the difference between an idea and a business, Shafat Qazi underscored the importance of thorough planning and mentorship. He explained that transforming an idea into a business requires detailed answers to questions such as: Who is your customer? What is your marketing strategy? What are your revenue projections? Where will your funding come from? He quoted the famous proverb: “If I had eight hours to chop a tree, I would spend seven sharpening my axe.”

In response to a question about how to get started, the panelists agreed that one should begin by identifying a real problem — preferably one they themselves have experienced. This, they said, is often the seed of the most successful ventures.

When it came to funding, the answers were varied. Sana Imtiyaz used a small personal gift to fund her first oven. Mustafa Trumboo invested four thousand rupees of his own money. In contrast, Dr. Wani advocated for seed funding and emphasized the need to include it in business planning.

On the topic of local market challenges, both Sana and Mustafa shared that digital tools and local networks played a vital role in their early success. Sana mentioned how an all-female Facebook group called Yakjut helped her market her products, while local exhibitions allowed her to reach new customers. Mustafa pointed out that success in Kashmir requires resilience and a tolerance for ambiguity.

When asked whether Kashmir holds promise for biotech companies, Dr. Wani responded optimistically. He acknowledged the existence of incubator spaces at SKUAST and reiterated his interest in supporting young talent in this field.

Lessons from Experience and the Power of People

In a rapid fire round, panelists shared reflections on mentorship, hiring, and failure. Sana mentioned that she had no mentors and learned through trial and error. Mustafa benefitted from advice given by family members. Dr. Wani said he often wished he had mentorship early in his journey, which might have helped him avoid frequent career switches. In contrast, Shafat Qazi credited much of his success to a long line of supportive mentors.

On the topic of hiring, each panelist shared a personal story. Mustafa’s first hire was a manager who taught him valuable lessons in people management. Dr. Wani remembered hiring a lab technician in 2015 and worrying about making payroll in the early days. Now, his team has grown to over twenty employees. Shafat Qazi humorously recalled that his first employee was his wife, who helped him sell his early work. He has since employed over a thousand people and emphasized the importance of over hiring during periods of growth.

When asked about a major failure or obstacle, the panelists shared poignant examples. Sana recounted converting her home garage into a cloud kitchen just before the communications lockdown in August 2019, which brought her business to a standstill for six to seven months. But the COVID-19 pandemic, paradoxically, revived it. Both Shafat and Mustafa reiterated that failure is not the opposite of success, but a necessary part of the journey. Shafat concluded with a quote from the Dalai Lama: “When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.”

A Taste of Home and a Promise for the Future

The session ended on a lighter note when panelists were asked to name their favorite Wazwan dish, drawing laughter and enthusiasm from the audience. In closing, Mahrukh Banday jokingly requested that Sana offer a discount to attendees and thanked all participants. She also announced that the next session in KCF’s inspiring series would take place on June 28 titled ““Education and Employment Opportunities in Germany.””

Igniting the Spark of Possibility

This event, like many others organized by Kashmir Care Foundation, was not simply about business. It was about community, courage, and the commitment to self-belief. It was about redefining what is possible even in the face of limited resources and difficult circumstances. Through these stories, students were not only informed but also empowered to dream a little bigger, try a little harder, and never give up.

As one of the panelists remarked, “Entrepreneurship is not a title. It is a mindset.” And from what was shared in this powerful session, it is clear that the mindset of possibility is already taking root in Kashmir.

Sarwat Bashir (IUST, Awantipora),

Muskan Rafiqi (IUST, Awantipora), and Zikra Muzafar (DPS, Anantnag). The authors are members of Student Chapter, Kashmir Care Foundation

To learn more about Kashmir Care Foundation, please visit us a kashmircarefoundation.org