Haven't Found What You're Looking For?

Maybe you're not alone. But I assure you, I have. It took me a year to find it, and it has been an incredible discovery!

Self-Reflection

Let me ask you - how do you measure success? Is it

• A milestone?
• A metric?
• A financial return?
• An emotion?
• Something else?

Maybe it's just momentary feeling in your stomach.

Context

If you have been following my journey this past year, I thank you.

But in case you haven't, assuming (safely) that I'm just not famous, here's what you should know.

See today is my 1st anniversary as a full-time entrepreneur. Exactly 1 year ago I got off the hamster wheel and took a brisk walk into a seemingly unknown forest of curiosity and self-determination.

As I celebrate the first year of my new life today, it dawns on me that my measure of success is nothing like what it was up until a year ago.

The meaning of success has changed, fundamentally.

The Why

After 15 years of expecting payday every month, I actually just wasn't feeling the vibe of being Employee #149 anymore. For a while, I just thought maybe I'll swing back.

I mean we were a fun bunch!

But, I never did.

It was nice for the most part, but the last few years were just like dragging my feet because my mind was elsewhere. I was 'day-dreaming' about focusing on the next challenge.

But unlike the desire to find another job, I was focused on some things that were already brewing in the background.

Then there was a moment back in 2015, when my good friend and forever advisor, Shaharyar Ahmed, woke me up to the true potential of following my ambition with foona.

Charging the Bull

To mark the occasion of turning a page last year, I wrote this to highlight how my choices culminated into the moment where I turned one light off, and another one on.

Dad always said, "Son, if you're going to work so hard, better do it for yourself."

Not long before though, he also told me "working a job is getting an education on someone else's dime". Confusing, go figure.

I suppose these seemingly contradictory pearls of wisdom swap stories, based on whichever is more relevant to where you are in your career.

When you get the itch to pursue your own dream, that's when it's time to "work that hard for yourself" and put that "free education you got on someone else's dime" to use.

The idea of taking the proverbial plunge off the pirate ship plank into the shark-filled waters is exactly that; the journey often starts with uncertainty, invisible risk, low returns and a high chance of failure.

But with your two most invaluable commodities by your side - confidence and experience - the rest is just switching from comfort zone to danger zone (Top Gun fans will get this).

That's worth more than the cash in your pocket.

Measuring Success

So, how's the year since August 11, 2018, been? Let me break it down.

Zohare

1. I've been building not one but two startups - foona & Digital Street, each very demanding but equally deserving of all my time - both seeing their own successes.
2. My personal brand grew & I was invited by DigiMarCon and SIINDA to present on topics close to my heart - Digital Customer Service and Digital Transformation.
3. VoiceAmerica got me on my first Podcast, and it was a really cool experience!

foona

1. foona's victories include UberPitch 2018, ranked top 12 of 100 at Momentum Tech Conference, making the shortlist for She Loves Tech and now competing at Shark Tank!
2. We launched foona's app on iOS, overcoming a series of challenges but aware that there's a long road ahead.
3. On July 31, 2019, foona graduated National Incubation Center Karachi's first cohort, a program that literally started a year ago!
4. We secured two new multi-talented and highly acclaimed board members for foona and can't wait to officially announce them soon (separate story)

Digital Street

1. This year, Digital Street officially launched in Pakistan, our second country operation since launching services back in 2015 from Dubai.
2. Digital Street won Best Brand Marketing Agency by a Global publication and is now shortlisted by Gulf SME for best agency for People and Culture (still in the running)
3. Our Co-Founder, Sophiya, is a finalist for Gulf SME's Entrepreneur of the Year (still in the running); an accolade barely recognizing her contribution to our shared endeavors

Baby Bonus

Then there's that bit where Sophiya and I decided to go from two of us to 3's company with our best work yet as soon-to-be parents. Because running a company together just ain't enough.

Co-Founder, Found

Following those kick-ass wins, the biggest news that truly says this year was a hit relates to this article I published back in Jan 2019, starting my quest for a CTO/Co-Founder.

It was the most critical missing ingredient; a partner-in-crime, a sounding board, a technology wizard for a tech startup. But most of all, someone to be accountable to.

6 months, over 20 candidates, dozens of video interviews and much due diligence later, I am so excited to share the hunt for my CTO is over.

Raise your hands for foona's Co-Founder and CTO, Bilal Ashraf.

He's been through the mud, understands what we're doing. What's more, we have a shared passion for food and tech!

Together, I think he will help foona realize it's greatest opportunities, leveraging all the choices we have made for the business so far, but building a new and more compelling value proposition for our users and customers.

In Summary

All in all, this year has not only been more than I bargained for, but it has also rewarded me with insight about my own resolve and capabilities than any before it.

I found a new meaning of success and it's been uplifting

I've had an exciting career, but what I did a year back required me to strip myself of any success and stature from the corporate world, and build a new version, right from the trenches.

I found the version of me that I've been searching for this whole time. I found it through putting myself out there, getting on stage, sharing my story, inviting others to take equity, re-bootstrapping our funds, securing first customers, trying partnerships, tough decisions and a lot of risk on the line - both professionally and personally.

Call it Zohare-Lite

Less baggage, more insight, better choices, clearer focus.

This time, I have a greater purpose with all I need to achieve. And every day, I am achieving.

For instance, earlier this year I shared a desperate plea to help me find my favorite cereal, which was out of stock across the UAE. Many came to my aide, all I had to do was ask.

Just like I did when I wanted to find a compatible Co-Founder for foona.

What's more, I even gained access to great advisors and mentors, otherwise inaccessible.

Now, I've just got one more thing left and that's an amazing round of funding to help us seize the moment and unlock potential.

So, here's to another year of increased self-awareness, incredible success, and the continued pursuit of something greater than myself.

And doing all this as a first-time father!

So, have you found what you're looking for?

This article was written to commemorate the Author's anniversary as a #Trep.

Thoughts, ideas, criticisms or suggestions, use the comments below!