Success stories
Imtiaz Laheri
I followed my ambition to Dubai.
I already had my own property business, but it wasn’t doing so well. I decided I needed to do something different and my uncle was buying and selling mobile phones. I knew that most were shipped to Dubai, so I thought we could cut out the middleman and improve our margins.
Why did you want to start your own business?
I already had my own property business, but it wasn’t doing as well. I decided I needed to do something different.
What was the deciding factor for you?
My uncle was buying and selling mobile phones. I knew that most were then shipped to Dubai, so I thought we could cut out the middleman and improve our margins.
How did you get the business off the ground?
I got advice from the International Trade advisors available through No Limits and went to Dubai to research the market. There’s a sort of bazaar there full of mobile phone dealers and I went round them one by one. I found a guy I could do business with and we agreed a deal. No Limits then put me in touch with a shipping company. I followed the shipment out so I was able to deal with some last minute issues. We won the customer over with that one nice smooth transaction.
Best bits about working for yourself?
Freedom! I do what I want when I want, as long as what needs to be done gets done.
What have been the biggest challenges so far?
Exports of mobile phones get special attention from Revenue and Customs. Satisfying their demands for paperwork has been tough.
What would you have done differently if you could go back?
I’d pay more attention to currency issues - the pound against local currencies. It’s important when you export. I’d also have gone out to get more customers earlier rather than just getting one or two.
How does it feel to be your own boss?
It’s brilliant, at the end of the day. I can fit things in around my schedule. And exporting is exciting!
Finally, a piece of advice for those thinking about starting up?
Accept that sometimes it will go wrong. There’s always an element of luck. But if it does go wrong, get in there and sort it out.
Know yourself first – a particular business might be right for one person but not another. Know yourself and you’ll know whether a business is right for you.
