How to Make and Sell a Consumer Product with Abdullah Ikram
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.com
Email: nick@reroutedpod.com
Instagram: @rerouted_pod
LinkedIn: Rerouted
Product Link: https://www.amazon.ae/dp/B0C85PYM29?ref_=cm_sw_r_cso_cp_apin_dp_RXV1SEFTC7DEPXE5J79C
Keywords
entrepreneurship, orthopedic pillow, manufacturing, marketing, university student, business challenges, product design, Amazon FBA, UAE, back pain
Takeaways
Abdullah 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."
Chapters
00:00 The Birth of an Idea: From Pain to Product
03:25 Designing the Solution: The Creation Process
06:22 Manufacturing Insights: Collaborating with Factories
08:49 Navigating the Market: Finding the Right Audience
11:37 Logistics and Fulfillment: The Amazon Model
14:44 Growth Challenges: Learning from Experience
17:31 Building Trust: The Importance of Reputation
20:25 Future Directions: Setting Goals and Deadlines
26:53 Exploring Market Differences: UAE vs. US
29:34 Navigating Logistics and Market Entry
34:23 The Importance of Local Knowledge in Business
37:26 Balancing Academia and Entrepreneurship
42:11 Funding Your Business: Lessons Learned
44:44 Starting Your Entrepreneurial Journey
46:00 The Importance of Continuous Improvement
47:50 Entrepreneurship and Overcoming Challenges
