20 January, 2025: The Institute of Business Administration Centre for entrepreneurial Dvelopment  (IBA-CED) hosted Usman Bashir, CEO of Braketime Corner Marketing (BTCM) and a leading entrepreneur for an interactive session on “Scaling Leadership, Strategy, and Vision for Entrepreneurial Success”.

Mr Bashir shared his journey of transforming BTCM from a single store into a network of 350 stores across 16 states in the US highlighting the importance of vision, determination, and strategic planning. Addressing aspiring entrepreneurs, business students, and faculty, he emphasized the value of action-oriented thinking and leveraging opportunities to drive growth. 

During his talk, Mr. Bashir underscored the importance of a pragmatic approach to business. He said, “I would just tell you one thing: figure out how to make money. It’s all about money nowadays. You have got to come up with a plan to make money—it’s the only way to become successful. At night, when you’re at a chai dhaaba, you come up with a plan; when you wake up in the morning, don’t forget to work on it. You’ll reach somewhere one day. No work is too small. Keep moving forward. Whatever idea you have, just do it.” 

Mr. Bashir provided actionable advice on scaling businesses, focusing on the importance of resilience, identifying untapped markets, and maintaining a customer-centric approach. He also encouraged students to embrace challenges as learning opportunities and to pursue even the smallest ideas with passion and determination. 

The session concluded with an engaging Q&A segment, where Mr. Bashir shared his insights on overcoming entrepreneurial hurdles, navigating global market trends, and creating sustainable business models that have a lasting impact. 

“Having Mr. Usman Bashir speak at IBA was a privilege for our students and faculty. I'm hopeful that the students learned a lot from him.” Ms Nimra Kamran, Senior Manager doubled down on. “His profound understanding of leadership and entrepreneurship, combined with his practical advice, resonates deeply with our mission to prepare the business leaders of tomorrow.” 

Mr. Bashir’s visit exemplifies IBA Karachi’s commitment to bridging the gap between academia and industry, offering students unparalleled exposure to the challenges and opportunities in today’s global business landscape.