Building Without Borders: Shahzaman’s Journey from Zero to Visionary

Can you share a brief note about yourself?

My name is Shahzaman, born in the soulful city of Multan, Pakistan, now living and building my dreams in the UAE. I wear many hats—entrepreneur, strategist, marketing expert—but at the heart of it all, I’m just someone who refused to accept limitations. I’m the CEO of Venture Source, a company built on the idea that we can sell without pushing—that we can win people’s hearts before we win their wallets. We specialize in organic marketing, storytelling, and brand building that feels authentic.

But beyond business, I’ve been blessed with the chance to train over 30,000 students, spend $86M on ads, consult Fortune 500 companies, and even get invited by Microsoft to train 500+ African startups in e-commerce.

Yet, none of this came easy. Behind every milestone is a story of sleepless nights, self-doubt, and heavy losses—but I turned every fall into fuel. I am who I am because I kept getting up.

Why did you choose to start a business?

Because I knew what it felt like to be stuck, to feel like you have so much to offer—but no one gives you a chance. Growing up in Multan, I didn’t come from privilege. I saw my parents work endlessly to give us a better future. There was no “Plan B” for me. I had to build something, not just for myself, but for everyone who believed in me—and even more for those who didn’t.

Business gave me the freedom to dream without borders. It gave me the power to turn pain into purpose, and now, I help others do the same.

How did you start your business?

I started with zero funding, zero connections, and zero backup. Just raw passion and an unshakable belief that I was meant to do more. I used to work 16–18 hours a day. I was the strategist, the salesperson, the support team, and even the accountant. I faced multiple failures, lost money in bad deals, made poor hires—but I never lost the lesson.

I remember one time, I lost a massive client overnight. That single loss almost broke me. But instead of quitting, I went back to the whiteboard and rebuilt everything—stronger, sharper, smarter.

What do you wish you’d known before you started your business?

I wish someone had told me that success comes with scars. I used to think that if I worked hard enough, things would always go right. But life—and business—don’t work like that. There were months where I made losses that kept me up at night.

Times when even close friends doubted me. But what I’ve learned is this: The bigger the vision, the heavier the burden. And if you're not ready to carry the weight, you're not ready to lead. I wish I had known earlier that failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s part of the price you pay for it.

Did you have any support in your journey?

Not much in the beginning. In fact, I had to face a lot of "no's" before I started hearing "yes". But slowly, the right people started appearing—mentors, partners, students, and clients who saw something in me. I built my own tribe from scratch, and they became my biggest strength.

Most of all, it was the students I trained—some of whom went from earning nothing to supporting their entire families. Watching their lives change gave me the power to keep going. They were my purpose, my fire.

What is your greatest challenge as a business owner?

The toughest part has been staying mentally strong when everything feels like it’s falling apart. There were months where I had to make payroll before paying myself. Times I had to smile on Zoom calls while dealing with heartbreaks behind the screen. The weight of responsibility is real. Leading a team, managing multiple businesses, and still being present—it takes everything from you. But I’ve learned to turn pain into power, and stress into strategy.

What advice would you give to your past self before opening your own business?

“Don’t be afraid to fall. You were born to rise.” I’d tell myself that the losses, the betrayals, the silent tears at 3 a.m.—they’ll all shape you. They’ll make you wiser, kinder, stronger. And I’d say this: “Don’t wait for people to believe in you. Believe in yourself so much that one day, they won’t have a choice.”

Reflecting on your path to entrepreneurship, what key piece of advice would you offer to aspiring founders?

Start even if you’re scared. Move even if the road isn’t clear. And trust yourself—especially when no one else does. Understand that entrepreneurship is not just a career—it’s a calling. It will test your limits. You’ll lose money, people, sleep, and sometimes, hope. But if you stay true to your mission, everything will come full circle.

Remember: you’re not building a business, you’re building a legacy. And the world needs your light—don’t let it fade.