Ismail Bowers Story

Ismail Bowers is usually quietly working in the background. When you meet him he’s an introverted person, softly spoken with an endearing American accent and gentle in mannerisms. I couldn’t help but have a high level of regard for him.

I had the privilege to hear his presentation live at the latest Startup Muslim Mastermind in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Everything on funnel building and how he built his 6 figure business in 3 months (wow) with the mentorship of brother Omar Taha.

The bit that was a revelation to me was that this brother knew nothing about funnels when he started. Seriously, nothing. I was quite amazed how he managed to get his head down and learn this in a very short period of time. Credit to him!

His story is quite unique, but I’m sure we can relate to the lessons from it.

He was studying in a country away from his homeland, he was supposed to get a sponsorship to study Islam in and it stopped for some reason. Without an income he was stuck. Recently married, and unable to see way forward to started to look for things on line. Trying induce some income for himself.

This led him to look for mentors and ended up one day listening to brother Omar Taha on a webinar on which brother Omar was a guest and was blown away by the content he got.

One thing led from another and their journey progressed and we see him where he is today, alhamdullilah.

It shows the power of human determination. That sometimes when we hit the low points, it compels us to take action. But the lesson here is he TOOK action. He did what he had to, to make it happen for himself.

Most people won’t even have to learn something new to startup a business. Look at your assets and assess what you can do with this to make it into something that will be purposeful and help you set up a business.

For me he was inspirational to listen to and learn from – as he called himself ‘a college drop out’ shows education isn’t the main thing you need for success – it’s a desire to succeed.

source: startupmuslim

Find Your Why

We all have been there…

Pumped to start of a new venture..

one week goes by… Still feeling pumped, the dream is still alive

2 weeks go by… the hype is wearing down, but you have made a start,

3 weeks go by… and obstacle number 1 comes, for many this is the end of there business journey

NO… Don’t make it your end! Find your WHY! Why are you gonna see it to the end?? Is it family? Parents? Legacy? Debt? What ever it is.

Find your WHY!

source: startupmuslim

The Power Of Belief

I got great feedback last time JzK!

Last time, we saw the importance of the why.
I asked next: what is the second component to massive success?
It is Belief. In chapter 5 of the Muslim entrepreneur book
we learn about the ayah of success as Imam Ashraf, “the millionaire Imam” calls it.
It starts with belief.
Belief is a muscle. You can exercise it. If you are in an environment with little belief, you might catch the lack of belief. Maybe it is disbelief.
It is contagious and can affect you. And I want you to understand that 99% belief is 100 % disbelief in the business world.

Take this scenario: you are trying to raise money for your new company and you have to pitch potential investors.
If you do not believe completely, the investors will likely sense it and refrain.
That is why my goal is to believe wholeheartedly. Because belief is contagious!
How do I exercise my belief muscle?
1-Things I say to myself
2-Things I look at – I had the picture of The Muslim Entrepreneur book on my wall long before it was written. Do the same inshaAllah
3- I write down your goals as often as possible. At his peak my mentor would write his goals.

There are other ways as well. Read chapter 5 of The Muslim Entrepreneur to get grounded in belief.
Yeah, let us work on ourselves every day!

By the way, I am releasing a product related to my book shortly.
I am giving you a chance to download the PDF version for free:
http://www.the-muslim-entrepreneur.com/getyourfreecopy

and learn the information directly from 40 of the greatest Muslim entrepreneurs of our time.

Source: startupmuslim

Cha-Cha Got Fever

A week ago my daughter cha-cha was sick. She got a fever. Her body was thinner because she reluctant to have a meal or only took a little food. Her body was prone to many plagues and got ill easily. She just laid on the bed and cried many time. I really worried about her. I saw her little brother Alim is healthier and more active because he is easy to have a meal. I realize to make cha-cha healthy again I need to give her enough meal and have her to finish every meal she need to take. I dont want her to leave any food on her dish anymore. Sometimes I need to force her to finish her meal and watch her when she having meal to make sure she finish it. I also give her a lot of drink. I now any chemical medicine would not make any better if she would not have enough meal. I only allow her to take some honey bee. She likes honey. Its much better than any snacks those bought by my wife. Alhamdulillah Now She is health again and her body not thin anymore. She is more active and do many activities like playing with her brother, watching her favorite TV channel, learning and drawing some pictures. Now I strive to make her finish her meal every time so she would be health all day, Insyaallah. If I can make her healthy all day, it would make me more focus on my work.

I Never Forget Those Who Helped Me Up

source: Nazma Khatun, startupmuslim

13876602_10207575674849831_3928169850642930389_nAs a wedding photographer I get to see the starts of marriages – as a counsellor I get to see the struggles that marriages face.

If I was to tell you one thing that is essential in making marriages last it is to understand your spouses dreams and goals and help them fulfil them.

As entrepreneurs there are huge ups and downs and you maybe the one sat at the computer or out ‘doing your thing’ but remember that there is a spouse at home, a good friend, a parent who is by your side, whether that be making you a meal, supporting your ideas, listening to your ever changing plans.

They are the unsaid Heroes. Take some time to thank them, show them appreciation and care for the support they give.

As for the partners, the parents and the friends. Remember the journey of your loved ones, honour their dream and believe in them. Those whispers of reassurance will be invaluable.

This post is a reminder to us all that Allah tells us that ” he who is not grateful to the people is not grateful to Allah ”

This is to all the people along my path that gave me an ear and their time. Some of you are in this group.

May Allah reward you and make all our dreams come true

Qurban/Sacrifice

YA ALLAH MALU SEKALI MENDENGAR KISAH INI.

Seorang pedagang hewan qurban berkisah tentang pengalamannya: Seorang ibu datang memperhatikan dagangan saya. Dilihat dari penampilannya sepertinya tidak akan mampu membeli. Namun tetap saya coba hampiri dan menawarkan kepadanya, “Silahkan bu…”, lantas ibu itu menunjuk salah satu kambing termurah sambil bertanya,”kalau yang itu berapa Pak?”.

“Yang itu1.500. 000 bu,” jawab saya. “Harga pasnya berapa?”, Tanya kembali si Ibuu. 1.300.000 deh, harga segitu untung saya kecil, tapi biarlah…… . “Tapi, uang saya hanya 1.200.000 boleh pak?”, pintanya. Waduh, saya bingung, karena itu harga modalnya, akhirnya saya berembug dengan teman sampai akhirnya diputuskan diberikan saja dengan harga itu kepada ibu tersebut.

Sayapun mengantar hewan qurban tersebut sampai kerumahnya, begitu tiba dirumahnya, “Astaghfirullah……, Allahu Akbar…, terasa menggigil seluruh badan karena melihat keadaan rumah ibu itu.

Rupanya ibu itu hanya tinggal bertiga, dengan ibunya dan puteranya dirumah gubug berlantai tanah tersebut. Saya tidak melihat tempat tidur kasur, kursi ruang tamu, apalagi perabot mewah atau barang-barang elektronik,. Yang terlihat hanya dipan kayu beralaskan tikar dan bantal lusuh.

Diatas dipan, tertidur seorang nenek tua kurus. “Mak…..bangun mak, nih lihat saya bawa apa?”, kata ibu itu pada nenek yg sedang rebahan sampai akhirnya terbangun. “Mak, saya sudah belikan emak kambing buat qurban, nanti kita antar ke Masjid ya mak….”, kata ibu itu dengan penuh kegembiraan.

Si nenek sangat terkaget meski nampak bahagia, sambil mengelus-elus kambing, nenek itu berucap, “Alhamdulillah, akhirnya kesampaian juga kalau emak mau berqurban”.

“Nih Pak, uangnya, maaf ya kalau saya nawarnya kemurahan, karena saya hanya tukang cuci di kampung sini, saya sengaja mengumpulkan uang untuk beli kambing yang akan diniatkan buat qurban atas nama ibu saya….”, kata ibu itu

Kaki ini bergetar, dada terasa sesak, sambil menahan tetes air mata, saya berdoa , “Ya Allah…, Ampuni dosa hamba, hamba malu berhadapan dengan hamba-Mu yang pasti lebih mulia ini, seorang yang miskin harta namun kekayaan Imannya begitu luar biasa”.

“Pak, ini ongkos kendaraannya…”, panggil ibu itu,”sudah bu, biar ongkos kendaraanya saya yang bayar’, kata saya.

Saya cepat pergi sebelum ibu itu tahu kalau mata ini sudah basah karena tak sanggup mendapat teguran dari Allah yang sudah mempertemukan dengan hambaNya yang dengan kesabaran, ketabahan dan penuh keimanan ingin memuliakan orang tuanya…….

Untuk mulia ternyata tidak perlu harta berlimpah, jabatan tinggi apalagi kekuasaan, kita bisa belajar keikhlasan dari ibu itu untuk menggapai kemuliaan hidup. Berapa banyak diantara kita yang diberi kecukupan penghasilan, namun masih saja ada kengganan untuk berkurban, padahal bisa jadi harga handphone, jam tangan, tas, ataupun aksesoris yg menempel di tubuh kita harganya jauh lebih mahal dibandingkan seekor hewan qurban. Namun selalu kita sembunyi dibalik kata tidak mampu atau tidak dianggarkan.

Appreciation

Seorang anak muda mendaftar untuk posisi manajer di sebuah perusahaan besar. Dia lulus interview awal, dan sekarang akan bertemu dengan direktur untuk interviewterakhir.

Direktur mengetahui bahwa dari CV-nya, si pemuda memiliki akademik yg baik. Kemudian dia bertanya” apakah kamu mendapatkan beasiswa dari sekolah ?” Kemudian si pemuda menjawab tidak.
“Apakah ayahmu yg membayar uang sekolah ?”
“Ayah saya meninggal ketika saya berumur 1 tahun, ibu saya yang membayarkannya”
“Dimana ibumu bekerja ?”
“Ibuku bekerja sebagai tukang cuci.”
Si direktur meminta si pemuda untuk menunjukkan tangannya. Si pemuda menunjukkan tangannya yg lembut dan halus.
“Apakah kamu pernah membantu ibumu mencuci baju ?”
“Tidak pernah, ibuku selalu ingin aku untuk belajar dan membaca banyak buku. Selain itu, ibuku dapat mencuci baju lebih cepat dariku.”

Si direktur mengatakan “aku memiliki permintaan. Ketika kamu pulang ke rumah hari ini, pergi dan cuci tangan ibumu. Kemudian temui aku esok hari.”

Si pemuda merasa kemungkinannya mendapatkan pekerjaan ini sangat tinggi. Ketika pulang, dia meminta ibunya untuk membiarkan dirinya membersihkan tangan ibunya. Ibunya merasa heran, senang tetapi dengan perasaan campur aduk, dia menunjukkan tangannya ke anaknya.
Si pemuda membersihkan tangan ibunya perlahan. Airmatanya tumpah. Ini pertama kalinya dia menyadari tangan ibunya sangat berkerut dan banyak luka.Beberapa luka cukup menyakitkan ketika ibunya merintih ketika dia menyentuhnya.
Ini pertama kalinya si pemuda menyadari bahwa sepasang tangan inilah yg setiap hari mencuci baju agar dirinya bisa sekolah. Luka di tangan ibunya merupakan harga yg harus dibayar ibunya untuk pendidikannya, sekolahnya, dan masa depannya.
Setelah membersihkan tangan ibunya, si pemuda diam2 mencuci semua pakaian tersisa untuk ibunya,
Malam itu, ibu dan anak itu berbicara panjang lebar.

Pagi berikutnya, si pemuda pergi ke kantor direktur.
Si direktur menyadari ada air mata di mata sang pemuda.
Kemudian dia bertanya, ” dapatkah kamu ceritakan apa yg kamu lakukan dan kamu pelajari tadi malam di rumahmu ?”
Si pemuda menjawab,” saya membersihkan tangan ibu saya dan juga menyelesaikan cuciannya”
“Saya sekarang mengetahui apa itu apresiasi.
Tanpa ibu saya, saya tidak akan menjadi diri saya seperti sekarang. Dengan membantu ibu saya, baru sekarang saya mengetahui betapa sukar dan sulitnya melakukan sesuatu dengan sendirinya.
Dan saya mulai mengapresiasi betapa pentingnya dan berharganya bantuan dari keluarga”

Si direktur menjawab,”inilah yg saya cari di dalam diri seorang manajer. Saya ingin merekrut seseorang yg dapat mengapresiasi bantuan dari orng lain, seseorang yg mengetahui penderitaan orang lain ketika mengerjakan sesuatu, dan seseorang yg tidak menempatkan uang sebagai tujuan utama dari hidupnya”

“Kamu diterima”

Seorang anak yang selalu dilindungi dan dibiasakan diberikan apapun yg mereka inginkan akan mengembangkan ” mental ke’aku’an” dan selalu menempatkan dirinya sebagai prioritas.
Dia akan tidak peduli dengan jerih payah orangtuanya. Apabila kita tipe orang tua seperti ini, apakah kita menunjukkan rasa cinta kita atau menghancurkan anak2 kita ?

Kamu dapat membiarkan anak2mu tinggal di rumah besar, makan makanan enak, les piano, menonton dari TV layar besar. Tetapi ketika kamu memotong rumput, biarkan mereka mengalaminya juga. Setelah makan, biarkan mereka mencuci piring mereka dengan saudara2 mereka. Ini bukan masalah apakah kamu dapat memperkerjakan pembantu, tetapi ini karena kamu ingin mencintai mereka dengan benar. Kamu ingin mereka mengerti, tidak peduli seberapa kayanya orangtua mereka, suatu hari nanti mereka akan menua, seperti ibu si pemuda.

Yang terpenting, anak2mu mempelajari bagaimana mengapresiasi usaha dan pengalaman mengalami kesulitan dan belajar kemampuan untuk bekerja dengan orang lain agar se gala sesuatu terselesaikan.