Aihtsham Rashid is a successful businessman and entrepreneur based in Leeds. His story is one of vision and determination in the face of tragedy and adversity and a commitment to giving back to his community and his Muslim faith.
He describes his motivations: “If you tell me that I can’t, then I will! If someone says, ‘I can’t see you doing this or that,’ that will only drive and motivate me more!”
He also talks of a key event that changed and reinforced his determination: “If I wrote a book about my life – people would be shocked!
“I had two heart attacks. I was told I was within half an hour of dying. But I got up and restarted my life.
“I’m now in a position of coming from a situation where I had nothing, to now where I am about to launch what I think will be a very successful brand.”
The brand in question is Hurayra Halal Pet Food Ltd, a 100% Halal pet food company, intended to provide a high-quality and natural option for Muslim pet owners. Aihtsham explains the inspiration behind this new venture: “Ultimately, it’s to fill a gap with something that isn’t there – at least not of this standard and quality.
“It started when I went to the supermarket and bought petfood. I brought it back and my family told me that it wasn’t allowed. That’s where the story started.”
He went on to discuss the response that he has had from the Muslim pet-owning community: “It’s been fantastic. A lot of people were unaware of the issue. We try to educate them via some Quran-based videos, and to say that now you have a choice.”
Despite the positive response from pet owners, the journey so far has been far from easy. Aihtsham describes the challenges that he has faced in getting his new product off the ground: “The last two years have been hard. I have had to go around in circles to get the paperwork in order. I have contacted MPs, I have written to The Secretary of State, I had to do my homework and get my legal team involved.”
After succeeding in these struggles against red tape and bureaucracy, Aihtsham is now set to fill what he sees as a major gap in the market for the Muslim community.
However, this new product is only the latest in Aihtsham’s business ventures, having already a long and successful career in construction, which he initiated at the early age of 23: “It was difficult, the reason being when I started there weren’t any Muslim builders. Most of the builders were English or Irish. Most of them were old, telling people that they were going to do the job, then not doing the job.
“I saw a gap in the market. I deliberately named my company, ‘On Time Construction’ – because all the other builders were never on time.”
This approach proved successful, and the company has grown dramatically since: “I have since scaled up the business to do government work, council work, new builds, high-rise flats and apartments.
“I have also built Mosques all around the world – including the Outer Hebrides!”
When asked about this unusual project, he describes how it came about: “Very simply put,
I got a phone call to assist there, as they had never had a Mosque there before. So, I went over, took a look, and did some fundraising.
“I raised the money and built the Mosque despite the challenges and got worldwide recognition.”
Aihtsham went on to describe his cultural values and heritage: “I was brought up by my parents in a small family. My father was a Jeweller, in Leeds, West Yorkshire, and my mother was a housewife. When I was young my father was wealthy and owned a thriving business.
“Unfortunately, when I was fourteen, he lost his business to problems in the economic climate.
“I did everything that I could to help my family – I cleaned toilets, I worked in McDonalds and Wimpy. I did this whilst studying at the same time. It was a tough journey, and I had to put the graft in.”
He explained what life lessons these hard times taught him: “I learnt the formula for success. You cannot just become successful – I tell you that now! There is failure and betrayal. Then you come out the other end.”
Aihtsham went into more detail about how visualising his goals has been so important in his success: “What I have realised is that if I set myself a target – 99% of the time I get it.
“I used to have a goal poster on my wall in front of my bed – buy a house, own a Ferrari etc. I had to update it as I achieved my goals.
“My friends and fellow businessmen call me, ‘the visualiser!”
Aihtsham also gave a defining moment in his life that reinforced this determination: “I had a heart attack. It was the lowest, most difficult time of my life. However, I class that time as a reset. It was a culmination of all the difficulties and hardships.
“I remember lying in bed in the hospital, with all the tubes going into me. People I didn’t expect to see were sitting next to my bed. That’s when I knew that God had reset my whole life.”
He went on to describe what coming through this low phase taught him, and what his advice for young aspiring entrepreneurs would be: “It’s very simple. The failures, the issues, the negativity, the key ingredient in success is that you have to keep going. You cannot stop. Failure is part of success.
“I initially was rejected by many factories – but they also gave me feedback and insight and information into the requirements of the industry. I eventually became an expert.
“Rejection can drive you. Nothing falls into your lap. Gold and diamonds don’t grow on trees. You have to dig deep and work hard.”
He also explained his reflection on the legacy that he wanted to leave behind, and how he wants to be remembered, for that his near-death experience gave him: “Wherever I travel around the UK in general and meet elders, people call me, ‘the Mosque builder’ – that’s a real privilege.
“Not many people can say that. I have also raised nearly half a Million pounds for charity.”
He is also proud of the growth of his brand: “I have survived two heart attacks to now create a global leader in Halal pet food.”
The entrepreneur explains how his dedication to his faith gave him the name of his brand: “The name, Hurayra is very important. It is the name of the prophet Mohamed’s companion’s, who was known as, ‘The Father of Kittens’ because he loved animals.”
Aside from achieving personal success, Aihtsham has worked hard to give back to his community: “The community is what builds you. It’s both your network and your net worth. If you become a sponge to absorb it, it can drive you forward.”
He went on to describe how his business trips around the world have given further insight into his view of the importance of community: “I enjoy meeting new people, and understanding how important their culture, communities and lives are.”
Finally, he responded to the question of where he sees himself and his business in the next five to ten years: “To be the leading Halal pet food company for both Muslims and non – Muslims, with the very best quality ingredients!”
