Everyone talks about passion, vision, and capital.
After 5 years of running Uptech Sol, almost destroying my family, losing my biggest client and downsizing by 30%, let me tell you what you ACTUALLY need.
1. Be Wrong Fast (And Admit It)
For 5 years, I kept people on payroll with no work. Made decisions based on feelings, not business sense.
Muhammad Yousaf kept saying “Business doesn’t run on emotions.”
I didn’t listen. Until I HAD to fire 30% of my team.
You don’t need to always be right. You need to admit you’re wrong BEFORE it kills your business.
2. A Partner Who Gets It
I worked upstairs during my sister’s wedding while everyone was celebrating.
That’s entrepreneurship.
If your wife/husband thinks it means “financial freedom and flexible time”, they’re wrong.
You will be LESS available, not more. Work-life balance? Doesn’t exist in early years.
Without my wife understanding this, Uptech would be dead.
3. Make Your Own Decisions
My coach Muhammad Yousaf gives me advice. Sometimes he gives me options.
But the final decision? That’s MINE.
Your coach can guide you. Your mentor can help you. But they’re not running your business, you are.
Listen to advice. Then decide based on YOUR situation, YOUR values, YOUR company.
Don’t just blindly follow anyone. Even your coach.
4. Say NO to People
This is hard in Pakistani culture. We feel bad saying no.
Someone asks for a favor. You want to say yes.
Someone offers a project. Sounds interesting.
A relative needs a job. Family pressure.
But if you can’t say NO, your business will suffer.
I hired my relative. He stopped coming to work. “I had guests at home.”
No more. I fired him immediately.
Now I say NO:
To projects that don’t make sense
To people who waste my time
To favors that hurt my business
To opportunities that distract me
You can’t build a business if you’re scared to say NO.
5. Handle Betrayal Without Breaking
That relative I trusted? Betrayed me.
Employees I cared about? Left without notice.
People I helped? Forgot everything.
Old me would cry about it. New me understands: It will happen.
You need thick skin. Not to become heartless but to keep moving forward.
6. Family Support in Early Days
My entire family are educationists. Papa in Ministry of Education, Ami was teacher, everyone in education system.
I was the nalayak with 60% marks choosing business over education.
But you know what? My parents supported me in those early years. When I had nothing. When everyone thought I was making a mistake.
That support in the beginning before success and before money that’s what kept me going.
You need someone who believes in you when you have ZERO proof you’ll succeed.
7. Faith That Removes Fear
Our biggest account got banned. 60% revenue gone.
My team panicked: “Sir, what now?”
I said: “You’ll earn what Allah has written for you. Account or no account, your rizq will come.”
Two years ago, I would’ve been the most scared person.
Now? I do my best work, then trust Allah with results.
You need faith that lets you sleep at night. That removes the crushing anxiety.
8. Accept That Crisis IS the Job
Lost biggest client. Landlord broke promises. Load shedding. Tax problems. Team issues.
I used to think these stopped me from doing “real work.”
Now I know: THIS IS THE REAL WORK.
Business in Pakistan = 30% actual work, 70% managing chaos.
Can’t handle chaos? Don’t start here.
9. Be Comfortable Being Small
I used to want a “big company.” Many employees. Big office.
After downsizing 30%, I learned: Small and surviving is better than big and dying.
I probably earn less than solo freelancers. And that’s OKAY.
Your ego wants big. Your business needs sustainable.
10. Remember Why You Started
During Eid, my 6-month-old son was laughing at nothing.
I realized: I’m so busy building for “family’s future” that I forgot to BE with my family.
Without this reminder, you’ll build success for people who don’t even know you anymore.
If you have these? You’ll figure out the rest.
If you don’t? Get a good job. No shame in that.
P.S: Yesterday, Hisham bhai gave me stage at Innovista. I couldn’t speak well on stage because I’m not a stage person. I get nervous, words don’t come out properly. But give me a keyboard? I can write books about my entrepreneur journey. That’s why I share everything here because writing is where I can truly express what I’ve learned. This is my stage. I also came to know there that a lot of people whom I even don’t know follow my entrepreneurial advices/journey and it made me happy. I met Imran Nadir K as well for the first time, very nice personality. Thank you all.
Originally posted on Facebook on 24 October 2025.
