Name: Aydeed Khan

Business Graduate, Marketing Major

Name of startup: Empral

Industry: Shoes
Business starting date: 2017

Mobile no.: 01686341194

Age: 28
E-mail: aydeed.22@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/empralbangladesh

About the company

Empral is a new venture in the era of fashion footwear & apparel that has no rules &
boundaries. We exclusively concentrate on our customers' best interests which is in quality,
comfort and style. The company is trying to make a revolution in the shoe industry through
online system. They know the market is saturated so they are advancing through different
innovative strategies.
 Date: September 1.

Time: 3pm

Interviewed Through: Phone call

1. Hello Mr. Aydeed, how is business in the times of pandemic?

As usual. Online business is rather booming then facing a steep. You see people need to buy
things regardless of the situation. They just do not want to visit physical stores for the
epidemic. This is an opportunity for us and we are grabbing every bite of it.

2. Why did you choose to start this business? What inspired you?

Have you seen the anime called “The Garden of Sadness”? The movie is poetic and the lead
character’s interest on shoes always gives me goosebumps. I read “Shoe Dog” of Phil Knight.
These stories gave me the vision to be part of people’s journey. No matter where you go you
have to wear your shoes!

3. How are you different from other businesses in this industry?

That is a tough question but the North Star for every business for success. If you search on
Facebook about shoes you would not get much of a result. We are one of the best online
shoes’ sellers on Facebook. Shoes market is already very saturated with big players
competing for decades in the arena. We are trying to create a market of our own, which in
future will bear us ripe fruit.
 4. What is the favorite part of your work?

Obviously understanding customers. We are a small team here. All of us believe customer is
the key. Whenever a demand comes, I make sure that I receive the tiniest of details and give
back every detail we have. I try to make sure that the customer feels they are in the right
hands. There is a misconception about selling shoes online. People are too accustomed to buy
goods physically and create the assumption that it is not possible to buy the right thing online.
Of course, there are problems. But problems are the definition of business. A businessman
will always find a successful solution to that. We even enable video call to the customer for a
better understanding of the product. Finally, if we deliver the shoes through our own channel,
we go with two or three more sizes. This hospitality creates the image that we need.

5. What is your dream in terms of the business?

If I speak the truth, Nothing fancy. I believe slow and steady wins the race. I like to keep the
slow pace of growth. One step at a time and gradually becoming the best online shoes seller. I
assure you sooner or later everyone will know our name.
 6. Do you like the idea of competition and new entrepreneurs?

As an NSUer and a business graduate I believe in both of them. Competitions are the brain
work that creates a better mind. You can always learn from text book. But learning firsthand
through solving a case and getting into context is a whole another level.

7. What are your suggestions to the new entrepreneurs?

There is nothing to lose. This is the age of exploring. Do whatever feels right and be
courageous. Society will always be the nemesis that you have to break free from. All the
biggest mind in the world fought against society. So, should you.

8. Can you share some of your unique experiences from the business?

Every experience is valuable to me. Although there is one experience I can say as unique.
Once we were out of stock of a specific shoe and a regular customer ordered that. When he
was informed of our shortage, he became unhappy. He wanted to give that shoe as a birthday
gift to his friend. We empathized with our customer and contacted the manufacturer
immediately. Finally, we delivered the product and made our customer happy. He even tipped
us an extra 20%. This is our level of customer care.

9. Have you ever been featured on any media?

No, but we have plans to get bigger and when we reach that set milestone we will be featured
on newspaper.

10. Have you ever been awarded for your business?

No, not yet. We did not target anything like that.

11. What is the process of hiring new recruit?

We did not hire any recruits yet. But the process is simple. I know a lot of skilled people from
my university years. Our assigned HR member contacts them. Ask them to drop CV if
interested. Through a proper interview we will select the new recruit. We will look forward
for a humble, dedicated, enthusiast who is fit for the job.
 12. What do you seek in an employee?

I am basically finding the employees who are very focused on taking actions and who are
always willing to take opportunities. Also, I am finding who are organized, hardworking and
know well that how to take care of their work. They must have the positive attitude during
office time and updated.

13. Do employees always need graduation degree?

It depends on the post. IF it is an apprenticeship post then no. But for a full time, employee it
is not possible to maintain a student and a job life together.
 14. Okay, thank you so much Aydeed bhai for showing patience on interview and
giving your valuable time. Anything you want to add, any feature that I have not
asked you yet?

Thank you also to choose me as your guest for the interview. It was quite interesting to talk
with you and my business also.
Appendix: Card of the business owner