Forekan of Crocs Bazaar: Five Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Launched My Business or Startup

Taking the risk to start a company is a feat few are fully equipped for. Any business owner knows that the first few years in business are anything but glamorous. Building a successful business takes time, lessons learned, and most importantly, enormous growth as a business owner. What works and what doesn’t when one starts a new business? What are the valuable lessons learned from the “University of Adversity”? As part of this interview series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Forekan.

Forekan is the Founder of Crocs Bazaar and holds a Master’s Degree in Digital Marketing, with a specialization in product research and development. With the experience of 20 years in product research, Forekan has been able to assist people and brands to reach their goals.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

I have been passionate about entrepreneurship since I was a child. I was surrounded by people who had their own businesses and I was always inspired by their stories. I was constantly looking for opportunities to learn more about business. After completing my studies, I had the opportunity to work with a few startups in different roles. This experience taught me a lot about the business world and helped me understand which areas of business I was most interested in. I then decided to take a big leap of faith and start my own business. After a lot of hard work and dedication, I was able to build a company from the ground up. From the start, I had a clear vision and mission for the business, and I was determined to make it a success. I was able to create a team of talented individuals and develop products and services that our customers love. I am proud of all that I have achieved and the journey that brought me here. I am grateful for the support of my family, friends, and colleagues. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be part of something bigger than myself and to have the chance to make a difference in the world. My journey as a business owner has been incredibly rewarding and I’m excited to see what the future holds.

Can you tell us a story about the hard times that you faced when you first started your journey?

When I first started my journey as a founder of a company, I faced a lot of hard times. I had to take on a lot of responsibility, do extensive research, and make tough decisions. I had to learn how to manage my time and finances efficiently, as well as how to build relationships with potential customers and partners. I had to go through a lot of trial and error, which at times was quite discouraging and overwhelming. One of the biggest challenges I faced was finding the right people to work with. I had to learn how to delegate tasks, provide feedback, and make sure that everyone was content and motivated. I also had to figure out how to create an environment that was conducive to creativity and collaboration. It was a long and difficult journey, but ultimately it was worth it. I learned a lot about business, leadership, and myself. I’m now proud to be the founder of a successful company, and thankful for all the hard times that I had to face to get there.

Where did you get the drive to continue even though things were so hard?

I have had a passion for entrepreneurship since I was very young, and that passion has been the driving force behind my success. Even when the path ahead seemed overwhelming and the risks seemed too great, I kept pushing forward with determination and resilience. I had faith in my vision and the confidence that I could turn my idea into a reality. I knew that if I worked hard and was persistent, I could make my dream a reality. Along the way, I surrounded myself with mentors and advisors who believed in me and provided me with the support and guidance I needed. This helped me to stay focused and motivated, even when things were difficult. I also drew strength from the knowledge that I was doing something I truly believed in, and that I was creating something that could have a positive impact on the world. This was my source of inspiration, and it gave me the drive to continue even when the going got tough.

So, how are things going today? How did grit and resilience lead to your eventual success?

Today, things are going great! It took a lot of hard work and determination to get to this point, but I persevered. Grit and resilience were key to my success. When I first started my company, there were a lot of obstacles and set-backs. But I never gave up. I was determined to make it work and kept pushing forward, no matter how difficult things got. I kept learning and growing, and eventually my company started to take off. It was an amazing feeling to see all of my hard work pay off and to watch my business grow. I’m so proud of what I’ve achieved and I’m grateful for the resilience and grit that got me here.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

When I first started my company, I made an embarrassing mistake that still makes me laugh. I was so eager to get things rolling that I accidentally sent out an email to all of my customers offering them a discount on a product that hadn’t even been released yet. It was a huge faux pas, and I felt so embarrassed! However, I learned an important lesson from that mistake: never move too quickly before you have your ducks in a row. I now make sure to double check all of my emails before sending them out, and I take the time to make sure that everything is properly planned and organized. That way, I can ensure that I’m always providing top-notch service to my customers.

What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?

As the founder of my company, I believe what makes us stand out is our dedication to our customers and our commitment to providing them with the best possible products and services. We take great pride in our commitment to quality and customer service and strive to ensure that our customers have the best experience possible. A great example of our commitment to our customers is a story from a few years ago. A customer had a very specific request for a product and, after a few failed attempts, we were able to create a custom solution that exceeded their expectations. After we delivered the product, the customer was so delighted that they wrote us a heartfelt thank you letter and gave us a glowing review. That experience was a great reminder of why we do what we do and why it’s so important to us to always go above and beyond for our customers.

Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?

I understand the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and avoiding burnout. Here are my top tips to help my colleagues in my industry stay motivated and productive:

1. Make time for yourself — make sure to schedule some downtime in your day to relax and take care of yourself. This could include activities like meditation, yoga, or simply taking a walk.

2. Prioritize sleep — make sure to get at least 7–8 hours of quality sleep each night. This will help you stay energized and productive throughout the day.

3. Set boundaries — set realistic goals for yourself and don’t be afraid to say “no” when you need to. This will help prevent you from taking on too much and feeling overwhelmed.

4. Take breaks — take breaks throughout the day to help you stay focused and energized. This could include taking a quick walk or just grabbing a cup of coffee.

5. Connect with others — make sure to stay connected with your colleagues and industry peers. This can help you stay motivated and inspired by the success of others.

Following these tips will help you stay motivated and productive while avoiding burnout. Good luck!

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?

I am grateful to my mentor, Nazmul Hasan, for helping me get to where I am today. He has been an invaluable source of support and guidance in my journey of starting a company. I met Nazmul early on in my journey. From the first time we spoke, it was clear that he was passionate about helping entrepreneurs take their ideas and turn them into successful businesses. He took a genuine interest in my vision and was eager to share his knowledge and experience with me. One of the things I value most about Nazmul is his willingness to go above and beyond. He has provided me with invaluable advice, resources, connections and moral support. He has also taken the time to truly understand my business and help me refine my vision. Thanks to Nazmul’s support and guidance, I have been able to launch a successful business and continue to grow it. I am truly grateful for his help and friendship, and I am confident that I would not have achieved the same level of success without him.

How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?

I have used my success to bring goodness to the world in a variety of ways. My company has provided employment opportunities to those in need, allowing them to make a living and support themselves. We have also donated to several causes that support education, health, and the environment. Through our products, we have sought to make the world a better place by providing tools that are designed to be used for the greater good. Additionally, I have taken on a leadership role within the organization, advocating for policies that benefit the community. Finally, I have worked to create a culture of giving back within the company, encouraging employees to volunteer their time and resources to causes that are meaningful to them. Overall, I am proud of the difference my company has made in the world and I am committed to continuing to use our success to bring goodness to the world.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first launched my business” and why? Please share a story or example for each.

1. Have a Plan: When I first launched my business, I wish someone had told me to have a plan in place. Having a plan helps to keep you focused and on track. It also allows you to track your progress and adjust as needed. For example, when I first started my business, I had a plan to reach a certain number of customers by a certain date. As I got closer to that date, I re-evaluated my plan and decided to adjust it based on the feedback I was receiving from my customers.

2. Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help: Starting a business can be overwhelming and intimidating. I wish someone had told me not to be afraid to ask for help. Whether it’s help from family and friends, or from professionals like accountants and lawyers, having the right team in place can make all the difference. For example, when I first launched my business, I was overwhelmed with the amount of paperwork I had to fill out. I eventually reached out to a lawyer who helped me understand the process and complete the paperwork.

3. Manage Your Finances: Finances are a crucial part of any business and I wish someone had told me to focus on managing my finances from the start. Having a clear understanding of your finances can help you make informed decisions and plan for the future. For example, when I first launched my business, I had to make decisions about how much to invest in marketing, hiring new employees, and other expenses. Keeping track of my finances helped me make the right decisions to ensure my business was successful.

4. Manage Your Time: Time is precious when launching a business and I wish someone had told me to manage my time well. Balancing all of the tasks that come with launching a business can be difficult, but having a plan and budgeting your time can help you stay on track. For example, I found that setting aside specific time each day to focus on tasks helped me stay organized and on track with my business launch.

5. Have Patience: Last but not least, I wish someone had told me to have patience when launching a business. This is especially true for businesses that require a lot of research, planning, and trial and error. For example, when I first started my business, I was frustrated by how long it was taking to get it off the ground. However, I eventually realized that having patience was essential in order to succeed.

Can you share a few ideas or stories from your experience about how to successfully ride the emotional highs & lows of being a founder”?

As a founder, it can be a roller coaster ride, with all the highs and lows that come with it. But there are a few key things that I have found to be essential for successfully navigating the emotional roller coaster. First and foremost, it’s important to have a good support system, whether that be a mentor, family, or friends. Having people who can lend an ear, provide advice, and offer encouragement can help keep you grounded and motivated. It’s also important to remember to take care of yourself amidst the chaos. Make sure to take breaks, go on walks, and get enough sleep. It’s easy to forget to take care of yourself when you’re consumed with work, but it’s essential to maintaining your mental and physical health. Finally, it’s important to celebrate the successes, however small, as they come. This will help keep you motivated and remind you that all of your hard work is worth it. These are just a few tips from my experience as a founder. It is a challenging but rewarding journey that requires resilience and dedication.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

If I were to start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, I would focus on creating access to education. Education is the key to success, and it is something that should be available to everyone regardless of their background or circumstances. My movement would strive to create equal access to educational opportunities for all, regardless of gender, race, religion, or socioeconomic status. It would also work to ensure that everyone has access to quality education; this means providing resources such as books, computers, and the Internet, as well as making sure that the curriculum is relevant and up to date. Additionally, my movement would work to make sure that there are adequate teacher training and support programs in place, as well as ensuring that there are job opportunities available to those who successfully complete their education.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

My linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohammed-forekan-506b149a/

My Blog: https://www.crocsbazaar.com/category/blog/

This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!

About the Interviewer: Douglas E. Noll, JD, MA was born nearly blind, crippled with club feet, partially deaf, and left-handed. He overcame all of these obstacles to become a successful civil trial lawyer. In 2000, he abandoned his law practice to become a peacemaker. His calling is to serve humanity, and he executes his calling at many levels. He is an award-winning author, teacher, and trainer. He is a highly experienced mediator. Doug’s work carries him from international work to helping people resolve deep interpersonal and ideological conflicts. Doug teaches his innovative de-escalation skill that calms any angry person in 90 seconds or less. With Laurel Kaufer, Doug founded Prison of Peace in 2009. The Prison of Peace project trains life and long terms incarcerated people to be powerful peacemakers and mediators. He has been deeply moved by inmates who have learned and applied deep, empathic listening skills, leadership skills, and problem-solving skills to reduce violence in their prison communities. Their dedication to learning, improving, and serving their communities motivates him to expand the principles of Prison of Peace so that every human wanting to learn the skills of peace may do so. Doug’s awards include California Lawyer Magazine Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers in America Lawyer of the Year, Purpose Prize Fellow, International Academy of Mediators Syd Leezak Award of Excellence, National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals Neutral of the Year. His four books have won a number of awards and commendations. Doug’s podcast, Listen With Leaders, is now accepting guests. Click on this link to learn more and apply.