Pehla Qadam | Ambreen Asif Qureshi | Interview
i-genius: Why did you set up Pehla Qadam?
Ambreen Asif Qureshi: My son has been working as a Teach for Pakistan fellow at a school at a low income area. I came to know that many students left school because they had to do odd jobs from morning till night to earn for their families. I decided to help them establish their own small business, provided they continue studying.
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i-genius: What makes a good candidate for a project manager?
Ambreen: A born leader, who sets, implements and evaluates SMART objectives; is quick to grasp ground realities and adjust accordingly, is a good listener, adheres to timelines, is open, has practical experience of project management, is fair and transparent
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i-genius: Who’s/what’s been your continued source of inspiration?
Ambreen: My father.i-genius: In what way is the work you do related to social enterprise?
Ambreen: The project is for out of school youth (aged 17 till 25 years) from marginalized and at-risk communities. The objective is to build their capacity to earn an honest living for themselves and their families.
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i-genius: What difficulties did you experience setting up Pehla Qadam?
Ambreen: Major hindrance was access to the girls interested in starting their own business. They never had the opportunity to discuss/ share their ideas with anyone. Secondly, I had very less amount, which I wanted to use only for seed money. I discussed the idea with the Trust managing a school in that area. They let us use the premises, free of cost.
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i-genius: What are the most crucial things you have done to grow Pehla Qadam?
Ambreen: Raising money to be given as seed money. I contacted my students and friends, who then pooled in. It was not a big amount but enough to help 10 business set ups at Rs 20000/ on an average. Training was provided by me, my son, and three colleagues, free of cost.
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i-genius: Why is entrepreneurship training important?
Ambreen: These were young people we were dealing with, who do not have much education or exposure. I thought it mandatory that they be given very specific training on basic modules. So we designed modules which were Short, Small and Specific.
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i-genius: How do you measure the impact of these business start ups?
Ambreen: Each participant has been attached with a volunteer (University students) who keep a check on them for initial three to four months.
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i-genius: What future plans do you have?
Ambreen: I don’t have much funds left with me. But we all would try to hold at least one such event, every year. As well as provide training to other groups
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i-genius: What is your favourite motto in life?
Ambreen: To bring genuine smiles to all whom I come in contact with.
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i-genius: What’s the worst business advice you’ve ever received?
Ambreen: “Stop wasting your time and doling out your hard earned income amongst these losers” (they meant the poor students I helped enrolled in school or start their business)
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i-genius: What advice would you give to those starting up a social business/project?
Ambreen: Keep up your chin. At least you’ll be able to say ‘I did my bit’!
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This interview was conducted as part of the i-genius Getting Started interview series. If you would like to learn how to get started in your social business, then why not take our ‘Getting Started – Social Business Start Up’ online course with i-genius Academy. To find out more, click here!
