Wasim Azhar, 19, runs Khalifa Marketing in Sheffield. He is a graduate of the Peter Jones Enterpise Academy and the winner of the BiG Challenge 2011. He has a portfolio of businesses, spanning different industries and markets and he donates 10% of his annual profits Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity and Cavendish Cancer Care.
What do you love most about being doing what you do?
I love everything about what I'm doing if I didn’t I wouldn’t be doing what I do. I believe in one thing if you do something you love and enjoy then your chances of being succesful increase. Some days I don't get much sleep and some days I stress about decissions I need to make and things I need to do but I love it because everyday is different everyday has a new challenge to overcome.
Why do you think you are successful at what you do?
I'm succesful at what I do because I'm doing something I enjoy. I remember when I was at school waking up everyday thinking 'oh no not again' I now wake up sometimes not even sleeping because of the excitement knowing that tomorrow is another different day another one step closer to success.
How do you keep motivated?
Many different things motivate me in business things like knowing I can change the world with one great idea but the key thing that motivates me is the vision and dreams I've seen for my brand Khalifa along with the people and networks supporting me in achieving them dreams.
What would you say to a young person who is feeling uninspired about life and work?
I once saw a quote floating around on the internet 'some people sleep and dream but others stay awake and work towards making them dreams come true' we all have dreams that are different and all want them dreams to come true but for that to happen we need to work hard be confident but most importantly believe in ourselves something I say often when speaking is 'believe in yourself then nothing can stop you from achieving'. There are many opportunities out there its just about putting the effort in and taking them on.
What do you think about The Big Academy and the work we’re trying to do, in helping all young people to get inspire and achieve success?
The Big Academy is making a difference in an area that not many do. They believe in young people and present them with opportunitys along with brilliant examples of people in a simular age bracket to inspire them and guide them on employment and many different issues.