Q 1. Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business. Please include what your business is all about, in which city you are located and if you have offices in multiple locations/ cities.
Ans: H&A Global Enterprises is a Manufacturer of Full Dye Sublimated apparel. The facility is located in Edison New Jersey. In this 15,000 sq. feet, we print , transfer, cut and sew. Basically the whole garment is made in-house. The sports uniforms and apparel are marketed and sold all over the country by the brand name EVO9X, “Evolution of a Champion”. Sublimation is a relatively new technique of printing and has great advantages . Since it is digital printing, there are no minimums, no limits to number of colors and the print never cracks , peels or fades. The fabric we use is breathable. It has moisture management and soil release properties . It is ideal for sports. Being Made in USA, the turn around is fast so we have better control over quality and makes service very reliable.
Q 2. Kindly give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
Ans: I have an MBA degree major in marketing. And have been in the apparel business for the last 24 years. I used to make junior apparel in Pakistan and ship to major retail stores in USA. In 2010, I came to this amazing country and setup business here. In 2011, there was a big cotton crisis and many businesses suffered, including mine. So I looked for another opportunity and in 2012 started Evo9X.
Q 3. What inspired you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
Ans: America is a sports loving country where everyone either plays or loves sports. The pride of the team and the number on the jersey starts at very young age . Customization is huge and people love to customize their apparel and uniforms. There are many companies doing this but most of them are getting their products made overseas. I saw that this could be a problem. Custom uniforms have a lot details like team colors, team logos, sponsor logos , player names and numbers. So many things that can go wrong. For a better control, it has to be Made in USA. If the team does not get their uniforms in time for the games/tournaments, the kids or players will not be happy and they may even get disqualified. If they are made overseas, they have to go through customs with a lot of factors that may delay the delivery. Now during the season some teams pick new players or some players need replacement pieces; uniforms are made in USA they can get these add-ons fast and with ease. All this encouraged me to open a MADE IN USA custom uniform manufacturing facility.
Q 4. What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
Ans: Be prepared for working hard and long hours. So I would suggest choose the business you like it will help. Don’t go after short term success or money. Try to build it. It will get big enough to give you fruits one day. Third, keep thinking and coming up with new ideas. Even if many fail the one that works will get you there. Your business will be in serious problem the day you will stop having new ideas or stop implementing new ideas.
Q 5. What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: Perseverance, positive thinking and patience
Q 6. How many hours do you work a day on average?
Ans: 12 to 14 hours. And I love it.
Q 7. To what do you most attribute your success?
Ans: Honesty. I think I have always been positive and honest in all my dealings, plans and execution. Never intended to harm anyone.
Q 8. How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
Ans: Social Media has made it easy nowadays. Our message gets across easily and to the people who need help and looking for similar products. Word of mouth has been the best form of marketing ever since. Social media has made it vast and easy.
Q 9. Where did your organizations funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
Ans: Currently we do not have any investors. We have a few equipment lease and that’s it. As the company is growing fast we will need investors and partners. I would prefer a working partner who would bring in money and his time.
Q 10. What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Ans: Break it into smaller goals or landmarks but never lose focus on the main goal. If we try to achieve great success or run after big goals and expectations, we will soon get demotivated or lose focus. Smaller goals keep you wining and winning motivates.
Q 11. Where you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
Ans: I want my brand Evo9X to be among the top brands in the country. We have the potential, direction, courage and enthusiasm.
Q 12. Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
Ans: Sports Apparel business is tough. The big guys like Nike and Adidas/Reebok controlled the major part. And among the new company emerged. Under Armour has captured a good market and now is among the big names in a very short time. I liked how they based it on one article, the “compression jersey” and built everything around it
Q 13. How important have good employees been to your success?
Ans: Good employees are the backbone of the company. Nowadays you rarely find good employees and when I find one I make sure they stay for a long period. The progress or success of a company depends on the strength of its team. And building a team takes time.
Q 14. How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
Ans: Giving up on an idea is the most difficult part but very important as well. An Idea is like your baby, you conceive it. And letting go can be hard but to flourish and progress you have to let go at some point or else you risk all. I give up and move on to the next idea when I see its not getting us anywhere and there is something else that needs implementation.
Q 15. What motivates you?
Ans: When I see my ideas work and bring results. I get motivated to do more. When I see others getting success I want to do the same.
Q 16. What are your ideals?
Ans: “Winners don’t wait for chances. They take them.” is a phase I believe embodies my ideals.
Q 17. How do you generate new ideas?
Ans: I think of problems and then its solutions. The solutions are the ideas.
Q 18. How do you define success?
Ans: Success to me is achieving goals. This includes peace and happiness.
Q 19. How do you build a successful customer base?
Ans: Make it easy for the customers to reach you. Get your message across and Try to figure out their problem then solve it. If they are unhappy, make it right for them at any cost. There should be no unhappy customer.
Q 20. What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Ans: Sense of achievement and ownership.
Q 21. What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Ans: When I see the smile on kids faces when they see their jerseys. Believe me I get goose bumps seeing their eyes sparkle.
Q 22. What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
Ans: An entrepreneur is ready to take a risk. Gets the job done if no one else is doing it. Takes the responsibility on himself. And attributes his success to the team. And is not hungry for recognition.
Q 23. What kind of culture exists in your organization? How did you establish this tone and why did you institute this particular type of culture?
Ans: I have always tried to build a team that takes pride in their work. People who work with their heart and not because of fear. As fear brings negativity. Employees try to hide their mistakes or find short cuts as a result of fear. Where as if they are passionately involved they all row in one direction.
Q 24. In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
Ans: Strong
Q 25. If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
Ans: I like to travel and see new places and meet people. It could be anything that involved traveling
Q 26. How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
Ans: My Family is used to me working long hours. When my wife started complaining a bit I brought her into the business to help me. Now we spend most of the time together. . Kids love it as they see their parents working hard and achieving success.
Q 27. What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?
Ans: The greatest fear is to go in the wrong direction. Like driving on the wrong way. I keep analyzing and bringing the focus back.
Q 28. How did you decide on the location for your business?
Ans: New Jersey is surrounded by major states like New York, Pennsylvania , Delaware and Connecticut. Very large population of sports players and people have buying power.
Q 29. Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: Divide larger goals to smaller goals and landmarks. Keep hustling and don’t give up.
Q 30. If you could talk to one person from history, who would it be and why?
Ans: I would love to talk to Steve Jobs and share ideas with him as I think he was a man of great vision.
Q 31. Who has been your greatest inspiration?
Ans: Steve Jobs. He was a man with great vision. The way he built his company is amazing.
Q 32. What book has inspired you the most? (OR what is your favorite book?)
Ans: Working Smart by Michael Lebouf. This book was given to me as a gift by the area sales manager when I was still in college but used to sell encyclopedias as a part time job.
Q 33. What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve made?
Ans: I trusted a person and allowed him to take advantage of me.
Q 34. How can you prevent mistakes or do damage control?
Ans: Everyone makes mistakes. I give equal importance to solving the issue/mistake and finding the cause of it so we can fix it and avoid it from happening again
Q 35. What are your hobbies? What do you do in your non-work time?
Ans: I like to drive and travel .Also like gardening. It brings great happiness to see the plants grow and bear flowers and fruits
Q 36. What makes you happy?
Ans: When I achieve something. Whether its love, trust or success in business
Q 37. What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: Long work hours and Immigration, leaving parents behind
Company Detail:
Company : Evo9X Store
Contact : Muhammad Ali
Address : 308 Campus drive
City : Edison
State : NJ
Zip : 08837
Phone : 732-902-2123
Email : sales@evo9x.com
