Interview with Samad Saleem - CEO at DigiTrends

Welcome to an exclusive interview with Samad Saleem, the founder and CEO of DigiTrends.

How did you reach your current position as CEO? What did your education and life growing up look like? What were the big realizations, victories, but also failures, and challenges along the way?

Hello TechBehemoths! Thank you for having me on your platform!

My journey to the CEO position has been a rollercoaster ride filled with entrepreneurial spirit, limited resources, and countless lessons. Coming from a business-oriented family, I was inspired to strike out independently. However, I faced a major hurdle: I needed more budget and required investment and IT experience. Fortunately, my educational background in IT fueled my desire to leave a mark in the technology sector, even though terms like startups, incubators, and accelerators were not widely recognized in the industry back then.

Undeterred by the lack of guidance, I took a bold step and founded my first company, Etrendz, at 23. 

Etrendz hit the bullseye by addressing a significant gap in the market. In an era where credit cards were scarce, we simplified acquiring domain and hosting services by introducing scratch cards in Pakistan. This innovation catapulted E-trends to success, securing over three thousand clients within two years. However, youthful enthusiasm led to costly mistakes, and the startup eventually went offline.

Undaunted by setbacks, I continued my entrepreneurial journey with several more startup attempts. The turning point came when I developed the first mobile application for Nokia in 2010, predating the iPhone and Android era. This achievement earned recognition from industry giants, propelling me into my current role as the CEO. I've since pivoted into the healthcare industry, leading digital transformation initiatives, and I'm now setting my sights on conquering the fintech sector. My path to the CEO's chair has been marked by challenges, triumphs, and a relentless drive to succeed in the ever-evolving world of technology.

You say you’ve always “been moved by the power of technology” and see technology as a means to sustainability. Would you mind elaborating on that a bit?

Certainly! I've always been inspired by the transformative potential of technology in addressing some of the world's most pressing challenges, including sustainability. Technology has the capacity to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and enables us in making more informed decisions in various aspects. By harnessing the power of technology, we can create innovative solutions that minimize our environmental impact, conserve resources, and promote a more sustainable way of living.

So, my belief in the power of technology as a catalyst for sustainability is grounded in its ability to drive positive change, improve our quality of life, and ensure a brighter, more environmentally conscious future for generations to come.

How did you come into the Fintech industry? Was there, at any point, a moment, where you said “Alright, this is what I want to do!”?

We started our career in Pakistan catering to the healthcare industry and soon became a common name in the market. After this we ventured in to the retail and fintech industries. In Fintech we specialize in delivering technology-driven services to wealth management firms with our leading client having assets under management (AUM) totaling $25 billion. So, while there wasn't a single defining moment where I decided, "This is what I want to do," it was a gradual process of aligning my interests, skills, and industry trends.

What do you do outside of your work, to deal with its daily stresses?

When I'm not working, I really treasure spending time with my family. Whether we're enjoying a meal together, going out, or simply having heart-to-heart talks, it's these moments that give me a sense of balance and help me see things from a different perspective.

I also enjoy chatting with friends who share my interest in knowledge and technology. We're all excited about the potential of digital transformation, and our discussions are not just relaxing but also eye-opening, plus you never know when inspiration can strike. Moreover I indulge in meditation and humanitarian activities which are a great stress reliever

What are your plans for the future? Is there any specific end goal you’re chasing?

Ah, the future, a path of endless possibilities! 

Well, we have set our sights on a fascinating journey ahead. Our plans involve a mix of ambition and a touch of magic.

First we've got a treasure map, a list of companies that we've marked as our North Stars. These are the organizations we aim to collaborate with, learn from, and ultimately, make a significant impact on. 

Talking about numbers. We have a big picture in mind for developers and staff. Not only do we want to enchant a few, but we want to reach a staggering two thousand gifted people. As you can see, quality is just as important as quantity. 

These next five years are going to be an epic adventure, filled with ups and downs, challenges and triumphs, but at the end of the day, our specific end goal is to create a ripple in the industry, changing the very landscape of how developers and employees experience their work.

What does a usual weekday in the life of Samad Saleem look like? Do you take time off during weekends?

A typical weekday in my life can feel like a high-speed roller coaster ride. With our operations spanning four different countries, I find myself constantly on the move, traveling to take care of partnerships and collaborations in various regions. It's challenging, but whenever I'm in the office, I make sure to visit home and spend quality time with my family before heading back out. Our work involves managing operations in the US, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Norway, which often means I need to put in long hours, sometimes working in double shifts since our office operates nearly 24/7.

As for weekends, they're a precious opportunity for me to give back to the community and practice meditation. It's my chance to recharge, find my inner balance, and reflect, ensuring I'm fully prepared to tackle the roller coaster of the upcoming week with the same vigor and enthusiasm.

What are the struggles you have faced, or perhaps face presently and how do you and your company go about getting past such hurdles?

We've faced our fair share of challenges, and let me tell you, each hurdle has been a lesson in disguise, a riddle to be solved on our way to greatness.

Back in the days, when we were mere newcomers in the market, the struggles were real. As we grew, so did the nature of our adversities. One of our most significant struggles emerged from the paradox of credibility. Yes, you heard it right! 

As our brand positioning and credibility grew, we found ourselves walking on a tightrope, where one wrong move could shake the very foundations we had built so painstakingly. Our biggest concern? Protecting and nurturing what we've achieved. We couldn't let our hard-earned credibility slip away like sand through our fingers. So, our secret recipe for overcoming these challenges is a concoction of constant self-improvement, perpetual evolution, and an unyielding commitment to excellence.

Our struggles, while formidable, have become the stepping stones to our success, pushing us to reach greater heights and ensuring that our legacy remains unshakable amidst the winds of change.

What have the many years of working experience taught you? Would there be anything you’d like to share with fledgling entrepreneurs?

Although everyone says to believe in yourself I found that practically it is hard to do so. When facing a failure I realized believing in yourself is the hardest part. As a thought leader and a figurehead of my organization, it is incumbent upon me to exemplify unwavering strength and lead with unwavering resolve. Nevertheless, there exist moments of self-doubt that are inescapable.

In these instances, you have to gather all the strength you have because yeah that’s what it takes to believe in yourself and this is the advice I would give to other entrepreneurs. Whenever you fail pick up the pieces, add strength to it, believe in yourself and try again. 

How do you ensure a stable, productive and happy working environment for your employees?

From two employees to a hundred-and-fifty-plus employees, it's been a journey. We keep finding and investing in technology in our company, and in our people, and this is only the reason we are here. In our workplace, we keep things simple and friendly. Everyone's voice matters here. I encourage my team to speak up and share their ideas. Giving them the freedom to make decisions and take charge of their work not only makes them happy but also helps them come up with great views.

We also make sure everyone has a chance to learn and grow. We offer training and support so our team members can build their careers. When our employees do a great job, we appreciate them and ensure they know they're valued. Our workspace is safe and comfy for everyone. We embrace differences and make sure everyone feels included.

I believe in leading by example and being flexible. This way, our team feels cared for, and our workplace stays happy and productive.

If you had to write a short paragraph containing an honest view of yourself as a person, from your worst to your best traits and skills, how would it go?

As a person, I acknowledge my flaws and imperfections, understanding that I am a work in progress. At my worst, I can be overly self-critical, occasionally doubting my abilities and decisions. However, I consider this self-awareness a strength, because it drives me to constantly improve and learn from my mistakes. 

On the positive side, I am empathetic, often putting myself in others' shoes to understand their perspectives. My determination and resilience shine through in challenging situations, allowing me to face adversity head-on. While I am far from perfect, I believe my willingness to learn, empathetic nature, resilience, and strong communication skills are among my best traits, guiding me toward personal and professional growth.

DigiTrends is one of the leading companies on TechBehemoths. If you like this interview and think that Samad and his team can help your business. don't hesitate to contact them via TechBehemoths or discover the agency on social media.