In this episode, Nicholas Karamanian interviews Abdullah Ikram, a university student and entrepreneur who transformed his personal experience with back pain into a successful business by designing an orthopedic pillow. Abdullah shares his journey from identifying a market need to navigating the complexities of product design, manufacturing, and marketing. He emphasizes the importance of trust in supplier relationships, the challenges of balancing academic responsibilities with entrepreneurial ambitions, and the need for continuous learning and adaptation in business. Abdullah also discusses his future aspirations and the potential for market expansion beyond the UAE.Website: https://www.reroutedpod.comEmail: [email protected]: @rerouted_podLinkedIn: ReroutedProduct Link: https://www.amazon.ae/dp/B0C85PYM29?ref_=cm_sw_r_cso_cp_apin_dp_RXV1SEFTC7DEPXE5J79CKeywordsentrepreneurship, orthopedic pillow, manufacturing, marketing, university student, business challenges, product design, Amazon FBA, UAE, back painTakeawaysAbdullah turned his personal struggle with back pain into a business opportunity.He designed an orthopedic pillow specifically for people with back pain.The journey of entrepreneurship involves making mistakes and learning from them.Finding a reliable manufacturer is crucial for product success.Abdullah emphasizes the importance of trust in supplier relationships.Marketing strategies must adapt to different cultural contexts.Balancing academic responsibilities with business ambitions is challenging but essential.Setting deadlines for business goals helps maintain focus and direction.Collaboration with established entities can enhance credibility and market reach.Continuous learning and adaptation are key to entrepreneurial success.Sound bites"Comparison is the thief of joy.""You need capital to start off with this.""You have to document the whole thing."Chapters00:00 The Birth of an Idea: From Pain to Product03:25 Designing the Solution: The Creation Process06:22 Manufacturing Insights: Collaborating with Factories08:49 Navigating the Market: Finding the Right Audience11:37 Logistics and Fulfillment: The Amazon Model14:44 Growth Challenges: Learning from Experience17:31 Building Trust: The Importance of Reputation20:25 Future Directions: Setting Goals and Deadlines26:53 Exploring Market Differences: UAE vs. US29:34 Navigating Logistics and Market Entry34:23 The Importance of Local Knowledge in Business37:26 Balancing Academia and Entrepreneurship42:11 Funding Your Business: Lessons Learned44:44 Starting Your Entrepreneurial Journey46:00 The Importance of Continuous Improvement47:50 Entrepreneurship and Overcoming Challenges

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