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Shafqat, Solutions Engineer & Business Owner at AAZ Consulting, LeadBuddy, & Go Task-Free: Advize Career Interview

A career path blending finance expertise with entrepreneurial drive! A triple major in finance, economics, and accounting led to a Merrill Lynch role, followed by a strategic shift into the dynamic tech industry.

Now a Solutions Engineer and Business Owner of three thriving agencies—a virtual assistant agency, a SaaS agency, and a digital marketing and software development agency—this individual manages diverse projects, builds strong networks, and leverages innovative tools to help clients boost revenue and efficiency.

Adaptability, critical thinking, and effective time management are key skills, and the most rewarding aspect is the freedom to innovate and see tangible client impact.

The biggest challenge is revenue unpredictability, but the dynamic tech industry, constant innovation, and the immense satisfaction of building something from scratch are highly motivating.

Advice for aspiring professionals includes bypassing traditional entry-level roles and starting one's own agency early, highlighting the significant opportunity cost of inaction.

A multifaceted undergraduate experience involving triple majoring and leadership roles contributed significantly to current success, and a strong international network has broadened their reach.

The specialized programs at WP Carey proved highly impactful, providing a deep understanding of finance, economics, and accounting.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Shafqat Huq

Solutions Engineer & Business Owner

AAZ Consulting, LeadBuddy, & Go Task-Free

Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey

N/A

Finance

Technology

Operations and Project Management

Took Out Loans

Watch all of this Advizer's videos below

Career Path of a Solutions Engineer and Business Owner at AAZ Consulting

Shafqat's career path began with a triple major in finance, economics, and accounting, leading to internships and a role at Merrill Lynch in wealth management. After a "hard pivot," the professional transitioned away from finance after about two years, ultimately finding their current position in the tech and software development space.

Career Path of a Solutions Engineer and Business Owner at AAZ Consulting

Main Responsibilities of a Solutions Engineer and Business Owner at Multiple Companies

Shafqat's main responsibilities involve "running three different companies," each focused on business growth and revenue generation; these include a virtual assistant agency, a SaaS agency utilizing CRM marketing automation, and a digital marketing and software development agency, showcasing a diverse entrepreneurial career. The work entails identifying "new referral partnerships," streamlining operations, and ultimately helping businesses "create more revenue opportunities as well as operating more efficiently."

Main Responsibilities of a Solutions Engineer and Business Owner at Multiple Companies

A Day in the Life of a Solutions Engineer and Business Owner at AAZ Consulting

Shafqat's role as a solutions engineer lacks predictable structure; a typical day involves "a lot of fires to put out," managing multiple projects across different agencies, client calls (both existing and potential), and team communication to ensure task completion. This highlights the dynamic and reactive nature of the profession, requiring adaptability and immediate problem-solving skills.

A Day in the Life of a Solutions Engineer and Business Owner at AAZ Consulting

Most important skills for a Solutions Engineer and Business Owner at AAZ Consulting

Shafqat, a Solutions Engineer & Business Owner, emphasizes adaptability and critical thinking as crucial skills, highlighting the need to "pivot very quickly when something isn't working". Success also hinges on strong time management, networking ("building a strong network of people"), and effective project management to juggle multiple responsibilities efficiently.

Most important skills for a Solutions Engineer and Business Owner at AAZ Consulting

Favorite Parts of Being a Solutions Engineer and Business Owner at AAZ Consulting

Shafqat enjoys the "freedom to innovate" and implement ideas that positively impact clients' key performance indicators, finding this tangible impact incredibly rewarding. The flexibility of "freedom in their own schedule" is also a significant benefit in their current role.

Favorite Parts of Being a Solutions Engineer and Business Owner at AAZ Consulting

Biggest Challenges Faced by a Solutions Engineer and Business Owner as an Entrepreneur

Shafqat's biggest challenge as a business owner is the "unpredictability of revenue," with the loss of a single client significantly impacting early-stage growth unlike in corporate settings. This unpredictability also impacts work-life balance, leading to "working around the clock," although Shafqat views this initial imbalance as a necessary foundation for future success.

Biggest Challenges Faced by a Solutions Engineer and Business Owner as an Entrepreneur

Favorite Parts Of Working In The Tech Industry As A Solutions Engineer And Business Owner

Shafqat enjoys the tech industry's "dynamic nature" and rapid innovation, citing the constant emergence of new tools that boost business efficiency and profitability. This allows AAZ Consulting, LeadBuddy, and Go Task-Free to leverage these advancements, helping clients "increase their revenue, lower their expenses, and become a lot more efficient and profitable."

Favorite Parts Of Working In The Tech Industry As A Solutions Engineer And Business Owner

What Type of Person Thrives in the Entrepreneurship Industry, According to a Solutions Engineer and Business Owner at AAZ Consulting

Shafqat, a Solutions Engineer and Business Owner, identifies curiosity, self-motivation, resilience, and risk-taking as key traits for success in the industry. Individuals who are "able to create things on their own" and "don't give up very easily" will find the initially challenging career path ultimately "very rewarding."

What Type of Person Thrives in the Entrepreneurship Industry, According to a Solutions Engineer and Business Owner at AAZ Consulting

What a Solutions Engineer and Business Owner Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Entrepreneurship Industry

Shafqat, a Solutions Engineer and Business Owner, wishes they had known earlier that starting their own business sooner, even during college, would have been "a lot more advantageous" than initially working for someone else. This realization highlights the value of early entrepreneurial experience gained through working with smaller clients, advocating for a quicker, more effective skill development than traditional employment.

What a Solutions Engineer and Business Owner Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Entrepreneurship Industry

Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Agency Owners

Shafqat, a Solutions Engineer and business owner, advises undergraduate students seeking entry-level positions to bypass traditional agency roles and instead "start your own agency," leveraging readily available resources. This approach, supported by Shafqat's own accelerator program for freelancers and students, emphasizes entrepreneurial initiative as a direct career path.

Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Agency Owners

Significant Career Lesson From A Solutions Engineer And Entrepreneur

Shafqat's most significant career lesson is the "opportunity cost of inaction," highlighting the lost potential revenue from delaying entrepreneurial pursuits; this underscores their philosophy of starting early and learning through doing.

Significant Career Lesson From A Solutions Engineer And Entrepreneur

College Experiences That Helped a Solutions Engineer and Entrepreneur at AAZ Consulting Succeed

Shafqat's diverse undergraduate experience, including "triple majoring," fraternity presidency, and student government, developed crucial time management and project juggling skills directly applicable to their current roles as a Solutions Engineer and Business Owner across multiple companies. This multifaceted approach to higher education significantly contributed to their career success.

College Experiences That Helped a Solutions Engineer and Entrepreneur at AAZ Consulting Succeed

How Identity Has Influenced A Solutions Engineer And Business Owner At AAZ Consulting's Career

Shafqat's Bangladeshi American identity fostered "a very strong sense of identity and ties to Bangladesh," enabling the development of a substantial network in the country. This network has been instrumental in building international software development teams and expanding their agencies' reach across Asia.

How Identity Has Influenced A Solutions Engineer And Business Owner At AAZ Consulting's Career
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