Author: IPN

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Spotlight

Shahzil Amin

IPN Spotlight: Shahzil Amin (Managing Partner at Karlani Capital)

Shahzil Amin, who goes by Shaz as many people butcher his real name, is the founder of two companies on two different ends of the spectrum. The first is Blue Track Media, a mobile advertising company which he started right out of high school. The second is Plugged, which is a premium headphone manufacturer that he started during his senior year in college. In April 2014, Blue Track Media was acquired by Karlani Capital, where Shaz now takes on the role of managing partner where he focuses on investing in passionate entrepreneurs with great ideas.

What skills have helped you in your career?
I focus more on my traits than my skills, as my skills aren’t anything that others don’t have. First, I’m obsessive. Once I’m sold on an idea all I can do is think about how I’m going to make it big while tackling all the possible hurdles that may appear. Second is my ability to think outside of the box to solve problems and create partnerships. The ability to routinely find creative streams of revenue and cost-effective solutions to problems is something I pride myself in. But that trait comes from my ability to obsess and completely indulge myself in the opportunity or problem. Last but clearly not the least, it’s my genuine and blunt nature that’s helped me tremendously. I give 10x more than I get back. I see the best in people until they prove me wrong. And most importantly I’m blunt and I remove myself from negative people and negative situations. Not many people will highlight the types of things that have helped me in my career but these traits were crucial for my success.

What do you wish you had known or done differently throughout your career?
I wish I had known how mentally and emotionally taxing the entrepreneurial journey is. Most people think that business issues, such as sales, employees, etc are some of the toughest things for entrepreneurs. I agree they are, but in my opinion the mental toll that the journey takes on them is just as tough. Imagine working 18-20 hours a day and seeing slow progress. Imagine losing friends and family due to their inability to understand what it takes to be successful or the envy that secretly builds up on their end. Imagine being responsible for the life of the employees you hire as well as their families’ well being. I wish I had known how all these issues would come to shape my life and my future.

What is next for you in your career?
It’s hard to predict the future, but what I want next for me is to work on an “Elon-type” of problem, something far greater than I can realize myself. Everyone wants to be Elon and will talk about him, but there are very few people who are willing to devote their life tackling grand issues. There was an interview that Elon gave a couple years ago where he said his wish was that the world’s best and smartest entrepreneurs and developers would stop working on internet companies and tackle the next big issue. That stuck to me. I’m not looking to create another Facebook or Instagram. I want to create another Tesla, SpaceX or Solarcity. I want to wake up and know I’m making a difference in millions of lives around the world. I’m not sure what I’ll be doing, but I gave myself a goal to figure it out by my early 30’s. However usually the best ideas just come to you without you chasing them.

What do you do for continuing education and improvement?
I audit classes at local universities. I don’t need another degree or an MBA, I just like to learn, especially when it’s free and there are no grades involved. As an entrepreneur, you’re constantly learning on the job.

What advice would you offer to others?
Many founders start a company for themselves, but I think about it differently. Start a company for someone else, someone you deeply love. Because most of the time you’ll eventually get over letting yourself down. But when you’re doing it for someone you love, you’ll work that much harder just to make sure you don’t let them down.

Areas where you can help other Ismailis:
• Entrepreneurship
• Venture Capital
• Talk Therapy

If you would like to nominate someone to be a part of the spotlight, click Here.

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Spotlight

Jamil N. Jaffer

IPN Spotlight: Jamil N. Jaffer (Vice President for Strategy & Business Development at IronNet Cybersecurity)

Jamil N. Jaffer is currently Vice President for Strategy & Business Development at IronNet Cybersecurity, a startup technology firm founded by former National Security Agency Director Gen. Keith Alexander (ret.) and former National Counterterrorism Center Director Matt Olsen. Jamil also currently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Law and Director of the Homeland and National Security Law Program at the George Mason University School of Law where he teaches classes on counter terrorism, intelligence, surveillance, cybersecurity, and other national security matters and is affiliated with Stanford University’s Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC).  Among other things, Jamil previously served as Chief Counsel and Senior Advisor to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and as an Associate Counsel to the President in the White House.

What skills have helped you in your career?
While law school gave me strong analytical skills that I use every day, the real skills that have helped me succeed are the appreciation my family gave me for hard work, personal loyalty, and doing whatever needs to be done.

What do you wish you had known or done differently throughout your career?
I wish I had known what a critical and massive impact individual people can have on your life and how seemingly small decisions can have a huge impact on what happens next.  At every turn, I can point specifically at one person or event that has changed the course of my career.

What is next for you in your career?
To keep doing jobs that are fun and challenging and allow me try new things.

What do you do for continuing education and improvement?
I read a lot; although less online then you might think.  I’m old school – I like my books, magazines, and newspaper in print.  I also teach, which can be fun and a lot of work, so that helps keep my mind active.

What advice would you offer to others?
Try new things.  Don’t be afraid to fail.  You can get your dream job, but you may have to take a circuitous path to get there; don’t let that bother you – just do things that look fun, interesting, and rewarding and it’ll all work out.  Make your bosses look good, work late, and be willing to do anything; the best opportunities come when there’s no else around to help.

Areas where you can help other Ismailis:
• Help getting jobs in government, politics, national security, foreign policy, and technology
• Advice on switching careers
• Thoughts on how to accelerate progress in a given career progression

If you would like to nominate someone to be a part of the spotlight, click Here.

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Event

IPN Morning Mixer : San Francisco, CA on Sunday, September 25th 2016

Economic Planning Board for Western USA Presents IPN Morning Mixer

Topic: How to Start and Sell a Startup

Date: Sunday, September 25th, 2016 10:00AM

Table Lead: Suleman Ali, Founder and CEO of TinyCo

Where: TinyCo’s office – 225 Bush St, #1900, San Francisco

Suleman ”Suli” Ali is a tech entrepreneur and angel investor. He was the Co-Founder and CEO of Esgut, a developer of Facebook Apps, acquired 10 months after founding, and Co-Founder and CEO of TinyCo, a developer of mobile games.

Come join us on Sunday, September 25th, 2016 for an enlightening talk where Suleman Suli Ali will give tips on how to be successful as an entrepreneur, and he will also share his career path and other suggestions for passionate entrepreneurs.

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Spotlight

Amyn Jan

IPN Spotlight: Amyn Jan (Technical Director with the US Government)

Amyn has spent over ten years with the US Government in various technical leadership roles working with diverse emerging technologies such as natural language processing, telematics & advanced cellular technologies. He is well-experienced in seeding several leading edge technical programs. Amyn has taught emerging technology classes in several US Government research forums as well as pioneered technical breakthroughs in this area. Prior to joining US Government, he spent ten years at private sector in applied research and product development.
Amyn holds a Master’s Degree in Electrical and Biomedical Engineering as well as an MBA.

What skills have helped you in your career?
• Critical thinking skills has served me well, in particular when you are dealing with complex ill-defined situations. Ability to evaluate and use multiple sources of information to effectively inform decisions and outcomes.
• Team work – I submit, the solution to complex problems are no longer possible in isolation. Instead more solutions are being derived through increased coordination across multi-disciplinary teams of knowledge workers who share common interests – thou make sure you bring added value/competency to the team.
• For a manager, two most critical skills – (i) Have competency is (in area) what you manage; and (ii) Empathy as how you manage your organization’s biggest asset – human capital.

What do you wish you had known or done differently throughout your career?
• Should have taken more risk, I am conservative in pursuing ideas. That said, we need to sometimes consider in the context of the rest of our lives. As a techie, working culture that embraces failure – silicon valley kind of an environment.
• I have tended to over compensate when it comes to “managing down” at the expense of “managing-up”, as it continues to be my challenge.

What is next for you in your career?
Seeking more responsible and potential overseas assignments.

What do you do for continuing education and improvement?
• Seeking knowledge is a condition that is continuous and critical. Have humility to recognize it as humility compels careful and necessary reflection. Learning is the minimum requirement for success in any field.
• One of the best offerings on your base pay is the training opportunity your organization offers – ask if your employer can offer paying for graduate school, etc.
• Personally, I get bored working in monotonic areas. Reflection I worked in diverse industry sectors, government research and policy, semiconductor, telecommunication and biomedical industries.

What advice would you offer to others?
• Build professional relationships, whether it means playing golf helps (or not) is a separate debate. The network of your former colleagues is as important than those within your organization.
• Work at a start-up or a small company in your career (if you can) – early the better.
• Embrace failure and learn quickly.

Areas where you can help other Ismailis:
• Career advice
• Working in the government sector

Categories
Event

Southwest IPN BootCamp : Houston, TX from October 8th-29th 2016

The Ismaili Professionals Network (IPN) in collaboration with South Asian Chamber of Commerce (SACC) is holding a Boot Camp for Ismaili Professionals (IPs) and SACC members who have an interest in starting their own professional ventures. The objective of the Boot Camp is to provide current or aspiring entrepreneurs with tools and knowledge to help transform ideas into reality.

This event will take place in Houston from October 8th to October 29th, 2016. Kick-off mixer will be held at Station Houston (map link) on October 8th, 2016 at 10:00 AM. There is no participation fee for attending the Mixer, however, registrations are required. Participation fee for 4-week Boot Camp is $25 (includes workshop material, food/drinks/snacks).

This educational program will be structured as a startup pitch competition. Over a series of 4 weeks, participants will:

· Form an entrepreneurial team and decide on a startup idea to pursue

· Build the foundation of a business model on how to bring the idea to market including: market analysis, operational plan and financial plan

· Engage with an experienced subject matter experts who will help the team focus on important areas of research and develop an investor presentation

· Create an investor pitch and present in front of a group

· Participate in full day workshop which features guest speakers and coaches

Key Dates:

Mixer                                               Oct 8, 2016
Exec Summary Submission Oct 11, 2016
Qualification Decision           Oct 13, 2016
Startup Workshop                   Oct 15, 2016
Flex Week                                     Oct 22, 2016
Pitch Day                                       Oct 29, 2016

For more information, please visit www.ipnbootcamp.com/houston

Categories
Event

IPN Technology SIG – Webinar – September 25th 2016: Understanding The Artificial Intelligence Revolution

Webinar on September 25th, 2016: Understanding the Artificial Intelligence Revolution

Program Overview
Understanding the Artificial Intelligence Revolution: Advancement in Artificial Intelligence in recent years has presented technologies like self-driving cars and machines that understand speech, such as Amazon’s Echo device. Join Amyn Jan, Technical Director with the US Government, for a webinar on September 25th at 1pm EST and learn about concepts like Deep Learning and its application in Medicine, Agriculture, Media and other industries.

Speaker Profile
Amyn Jan
Technical Director, US Government

Amyn has spent over ten years with the US Government in various technical leadership roles working with diverse emerging technologies such as natural language processing, telematics & advanced cellular technologies. He is well-experienced in seeding several leading edge technical programs. Amyn has taught emerging technology classes in several US Government research forums as well as pioneered technical breakthroughs in this area. Prior to joining US Government, he spend ten years at private sector in applied research and product development. Amyn holds a Master’s Degree in Electrical and Biomedical Engineering as well as an MBA.

Register for the webinar today: Click here

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Spotlight

Shereen Kassam

IPN Spotlight: Shereen Kassam (Business Development Manager, The Walt Disney Company)

Shereen Kassam is a Business Development Manager at The Walt Disney Company. Previously, she has worked in various roles at JPMorgan, Deloitte, and Amazon. Shereen is also a national touring stand-up comedian whose jokes focus on a multitude of topics, including the misunderstanding of Muslims in America. She won the 2015 Improv Clash of the Comics competition and was invited to perform at The World Series of Comedy in Las Vegas. Shereen received her BA from Brown University and an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She currently resides in Orlando, Florida and has a difficult time saying no to Cadbury chocolates, red Starbursts, and spicy chicken wings. You can learn more about her at www.funnybrowngirl.com or follow her on Instagram/Twitter: funnybrowngirl

What skills have helped you in your career?
• Interpersonal skills have played a huge part not only in my corporate career, but also in comedy. I was a shy child growing up and actually discovered my passion for comedy after taking an improvisation class while in consulting, in order to enhance my client communication skills. The class not only launched my comedy career, but it also helped me to land new clients during my time at Amazon
• Managing my time and my energy are crucial as I try to balance a full-time job, comedy, acting classes, auditions, family, and those all-important 8 hours of sleep. I have had to learn say “no”, as well as schedule regular “me” days to refuel and rest
• Goal setting has been influential in my career. I am constantly creating new goals and evaluating my progress towards achieving those goals (both professional and personal)

What do you wish you had known or done differently throughout your career?
I now appreciate that my career path does not need to look like the traditional Wharton career path. Early in my career, I spent a lot of time comparing myself to where my friends were in their professional careers. I am a competitive person and never wanted to feel that I was not as successful. With time, I came to understand that my definition of success might differ from my peers, but at the end of the day, we are all striving to master the natural talents we have been gifted with.

What do you do for continuing education and improvement?
I read as much as I can – I am always scrolling through Flipboard and Twitter. I have tons of Google alerts set up so I do not miss the latest news, trends, and research in my industry. In regards to comedy and acting, it is all about exercising those muscles! I perform at open mics nightly and take acting classes. Recently I have been focusing a lot of time on self-improvement – practicing gratitude, meditating, working out, eating healthy, and sleeping – to stay centered.

What is next for you in your career?
I went to business school with a keen interest in entrepreneurship. I am currently exploring a handful of business models that enable me to merge my love for comedy, and the skills I have enhanced on-stage, with my MBA training and corporate background.

What advice would you offer to others?
I’ll be corny and say, “Don’t be so busy working, you forget to live.”
I was spending so many hours working; I ignored my health, my family and friends, and the activities that brought me joy. Physical exhaustion prompted me to finally take some much-needed time to step back and put my life into perspective. I began to look for a position that would provide me more work-life balance so that I could focus on my passions. Finding that harmony has not only allowed me to pursue comedy and acting, but also find purpose in my life.
I would also say, be bold in your pursuits no matter what those around you may say.

Areas where you can help other Ismailis:
• Goal setting
• MBA Admission
• General mentoring

If you would like to nominate someone to be a part of the spotlight, click Here.

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Spotlight

Lela Nensey Basaria

IPN Spotlight: Lela Nensey Basaria (Real Estate Broker, Baird & Warner )

Lela Nensey Basaria acquired her degree in Finance from DePaul University and worked at Federal Reserve as a Bank Auditor/Budget Analyst. After working long hours in the corporate world Lela decided to be with her daughter and leave Federal Reserve and went back to school to obtain a degree in Early Childhood Education along with becoming certified as a director for a preschool. Lela’s dream of starting a preschool was placed aside when they were faced with the challenges of 9/11. Lela started a small business in the mall and then in 2006, she purchased a franchise, Cinnabon, and in 2012 she obtained her Real Estate License. She began her Jamati involvement in 2001 as a TA, then, was appointed as a principal of NREC. She has also been a part of the Social Welfare Board for a few years and currently blessed with the position of REC coordinator. They were blessed with the opportunity to serve behind part for Chandratt Majalas as well. Lela’s daughter continued the tradition by becoming a TA then a teacher of 5th grade.

What skills have helped you in your career?
I honestly feel that my communication skills have proved to be paramount in my personal and professional career. I love working with people; whether they are mall managers, clients in Real Estate, and parents for REC, or teachers.

What do you wish you had known or done differently throughout your career?
Looking back, I have no regrets towards the decisions I have made in my life. At times, I do think to myself, “Where would have I been today if I did not leave Federal Reserve–retiring a position of such high prestige. But then I look at our daughter. I was blessed enough to give her some time in my busy day when I switched career paths. She has turned out to be such a successful young lady, and now that she has left for college, every day I am thankful that I did not lose the opportunity to be with her. Shukar Mowla…for giving me the opportunity. In the end, I can easily say that the sacrifices I made were small in comparison to the rewards they helped me receive.

What do you do for continuing education and improvement?
My daughter always says, “I can’t wait to be done with school,” and I always laugh and say, “Honey, you’re never going to be done learning.” In order to maintain my Real Estate license, I am asked to complete CE hours. Regardless of my required CE hours, I always like to learn and try to instill the passion of learning within my daughter as well. Currently, I am contemplating taking some Spanish classes to become fluent in a language I began learning in high school. I am able to communicate with native speakers, but I would really like to become completely fluent. I am also considering taking Physic classes……..lets see

What is next for you in your career?
I would like to sell my Cinnabon and finally pursue my dream to start a Pre-school, all the while maintaining my Real Estate career. I always pray: “Mowla, please guide me in the path which is beneficial for my family and always, always, bless us with the opportunity to continue SEVA in any way possible…”

What advice would you offer to others?
The best advice I can give to anyone is: to follow your passion–because at the end of the day, things do work out. Stay in school because you can never have too much education and that is one thing, which no one can take away from you. Always do SEVA in anyway possible. (Stay connected to your roots). I have blind faith and that would be my advice. That is what we tell our daughter follow your dream and pursue your passion…be honest and do SEVA. My blind faith says…When you do for Mowla then Mowla returns it right away…

Areas where you can help other Ismailis:
• I can help individuals with business advice
• I have also maintained great relationship with mall managers
• I can also give inside to the housing market or any which way possible

If you would like to nominate someone to be a part of the spotlight, click Here.

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Spotlight

Fahim Naim

IPN Spotlight: Fahim Naim (Founder at eShopportunity)

Fahim is an e-commerce/start-up professional and advisor. He launched eShopportunity, an e-commerce consultancy partnering with companies ranging from the Fortune 500 to start-ups. Fahim speaks regularly at e-commerce conferences and advises several start-ups in the field. In addition to e-commerce, he launched an online dating service called SneakPeek Dating, focused on live video conversations.

What skills have helped you in your career?
I started my career in corporate finance and was fortunate to gain high executive exposure at a young age, which was a catalyst to growing rapidly at my company. Having solid quantitative skills is extremely valuable in most industries, particularly in Retail. Additionally, the lean startup method has been a huge asset for my personal endeavors and advisory roles. This has taught me that you don’t have to sit idly by when evaluating a business idea or concept. Instead, you can test a “MVP” (minimum viable product) and get quick data (i.e. create a launch page for your product and see if you get traffic/feedback) before investing too much time and resources.

What do you wish you had known or done differently throughout your career?
While brand-name work experience early in your career has definite advantages, if you are passionate about an idea and have the desire and prowess to see it come to market, then take the leap of faith. Also, while it is fine to stay at a company for several years during your early years, ensure that you are constantly proving to yourself why this company is worth staying at and understand what other opportunities are out there so you can make the evaluation regularly.

What is next for you in your career?
In addition to scaling the e-commerce consultancy, I am evaluating taking a senior role at an emerging e-commerce platform or growing the SneakPeek dating service.

What do you do for continuing education and improvement?
I subscribe to several industry related newsletters, attend conferences, comment on articles, and meet with industry professionals very regularly. There is always information imbalance within an industry, so be at the forefront of the news, stats, etc. so that people come to you when they have questions and ideas.

What advice would you offer to others?
Find other smart ambitious people to be around, especially technical ones if you are interested in tech start-ups. You will increase your chance of success dramatically by having people to lean on and join.
You will undoubtedly fail in your first attempts at a start-up, but you will learn tremendously valuable lessons through that process. Embrace the lean startup principles (MVP, fail fast, etc.) and keep churning.
Be bold, don’t settle, and have the confidence that you will accomplish anything you set out to do (as long as you are willing to put in the work for it)

Areas where you can help other Ismailis:
• E-commerce related questions (i.e. starting out a new e-commerce company/idea, optimize selling on Amazon, etc.)
• Startup advising (B2C focused)
• MBA admissions
• Personal financial planning

Categories
Spotlight

Dilafruz Khonikboyeva

IPN Spotlight: Dilafruz Khonikboyeva (Deputy Director of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Center for International Disaster Information)

Dilafruz is currently the Deputy Director of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Center for International Disaster Information (USAID CIDI). The organization engages in programming, policy, and outreach in partnership with the general public and diaspora groups in disaster relief and international humanitarian assistance. Dilafruz has been with USAID CIDI since 2008, serving in many roles including Chief of Media Relations. Previously, she worked with CNN, the Pentagon, and the Atlanta-based 48 Hour Film Project. She obtained her B.A. in Conflict Analysis and Global Studies and MS in International Conflict Analysis and Resolution with a focus on the civil war and post-conflict reconstruction from George Mason University. Born in Khorog, Tajikistan, Dilafruz moved to the U.S. with her family in 1995. She currently serves on the National Conciliation and Arbitration Board (CAB).

What skills have helped you in your career?
More than anything, a good work ethic and positive attitude has distinguished me from the crowd. At one point I had two internships, was taking 21 credits in undergraduate studies, and was slated to graduate a year early. It was undoubtedly difficult, but it taught me patience and prioritization. It also showed that I was willing to go above and beyond to gain experience and break into a field.

What do you wish you had known or done differently throughout your career?
I think there is always more I could have done to be better and it can be dangerous to live in the past as one cannot be certain how life would have been different. I’ve also found that failing has been the best teacher in personal and professional growth.

What is next for you in your career?
I would like to bring my programming and policy experience to the ongoing debate about immigration and refugees in the E.U. and the U.S. It holds a special place in my heart as I am an immigrant and the sheer number of forced migrations today are already testing international law, local infrastructure, and fear of change.

What do you do for continuing education and improvement?
Being in DC allows me to attend conferences, brown bags, and lectures several times a month to dive into a specific subject. I love to read. I also audit classes at local universities as well as attending trainings through the USAID University.

What advice would you offer to others?
Work hard – no job title is too lowly, and engage in self-discovery through action: internships, volunteering, and various jobs. Don’t be afraid to fail.

Areas where you can help other Ismailis:
• Disaster relief, humanitarian assistance and policy guidance of the U.S. agencies and UN systems
• Media and social media branding, strategy, and scaling
• Mediation, conflict analysis and resolution
• Program design, management, and review