BIV is proud to recognize Ashiq Ahamed, managing partner at SolvedAF Consulting Inc., and 39 exceptional business leaders with 2022 Forty under 40 Awards.
Each recipient is featured in BIV's annual Forty under 40 Magazine, and will be celebrated at an awards gala Feb. 22. Profiles of each award recipient – originally published in the magazine – will be available at biv.com in the days ahead.
Who or what is responsible for your work ethic?
My dad deserves the credit for instilling a good work ethic in me. Immigrating twice during his lifetime, he always considered hard work to be the key to success in a new country. An accomplished finance professional, he’s all the proof I ever needed that hard work pays off.
What drives you? My passion for entrepreneurship drives me. With SolvedAF, I’m not only able to satisfy my own entrepreneurial goals, but I have the opportunity to work with an exceptionally talented team to support other entrepreneurs as they pursue their passions and grow their businesses. It’s really fulfilling work.
A favourite book you would recommend? I love a good fiction novel. Favourites include the Harry Potter series and Star Wars. When it comes to non-fiction, Confessions of an Economic Hitman by John Perkins and Adults in the Room by Yanis Varoufakis are excellent and highlight the challenges created by our current banking, government and corporate systems.
What was your toughest business or professional decision? A few years ago, I made the difficult decision to step away from a tech startup I founded just as we achieved positive cash flow and began expanding. Unfortunately, the timing wasn’t right for me personally, so I turned over leadership to someone I felt could succeed.
What advice would you give your 20-year-old self? Don’t worry so much about the future. Focus on the present.
What is your best habit? Walking my dog in the middle of the workday – it gets me away from screens and gives me an opportunity to reflect on the day and decide how I want to close it out. I also find being outdoors to be incredibly relaxing.
Tell us one improbable fact about yourself. I’ve visited 45 countries so far and my goal is to make it to all 195! My love for travel has always helped me find clarity and perspective. It’s a passion I share with my wife, Gina, and something we hope to pass on to our son, Dominic.
Best piece of advice ever received? Don’t settle for the status quo – challenge it and take risks. Even if it doesn’t work out, you’ll learn from the experience and learn about yourself.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned in business? A product or service doesn’t have to be perfect to be successful. What’s more important is that it gets into the hands of the right customers.
What career highlight are you most proud of? Being elected president of the PeaceGeeks Society, a non-profit that creates digital tools that support connection, peace and safety for displaced individuals and groups. My family was displaced from Uganda in the 1970s, so this organization’s mission means a lot to me.
What’s left to accomplish? This is just the beginning. I’d like to continue to grow SolvedAF and pursue my personal goals, too. I’m focused on giving back through my volunteer work, and I still have 150 countries to visit!
Read the profiles of all 40 award recipients in BIV's annual Forty under 40 Magazine. Register to recognize this year's winner at the Forty under 40 Awards gala on Feb. 22.
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