When Mashkur Sarwar’s family was forced to flee the constant violence in Lebanon, their life of despair transformed into hope when they arrived in New York. Unbelievably, he was then accepted into one of the most prestigious universities – New York University – and began his Bachelor of Commerce studies there.
Mashkur put in tireless effort to succeed academically, and he conquered the academic world with ease. His enthusiasm for cutting-edge technology propelled him forward on two courses of action – web design and Harvard CS50 program – which he completed with excellence. Having accomplished tremendous success in web development, Mashkur’s ambition pushed him further into “the internet” space.
His illustrious educational background demonstrated that he possessed the necessary skills to excel in website development and mobile app creation. As a result, his expertise propelled him up the ranks to become an esteemed Senior Web Developer whose services were highly sought after.
After ten years of refining his web development capabilities for distinguished enterprises, Mashkur created MS-WEB to impart his knowledge. The advent of Web3.0 has granted him the capacity to choose and serve clients in New York City with incredible swiftness and effectiveness. His specialties include responsive design, comprehensive coding solutions, and effective project management – all designed to exceed customer expectations!
Mashkur’s aptitude and kind heartedness are unmatched when it comes to giving back to his hometown of Beirut. After being blessed with financial success, he made sure to put a portion of that fortune in the hands of worthwhile charities for those who were less fortunate. His altruism is truly inspirational.
Every time Mashkur Sarwar sets out on a journey, he eagerly awaits the grandeur of ancient architecture that never fails to leave him in awe. What better way is there to soak up different cultures while still being able to maintain productivity from the coziness of his hotel room? Mashkur travels to museums and hotels and continues to work on his assigned tasks without losing focus or energy.
Mashkur’s tireless efforts in providing citizens with the proper resources and education through a vocational institute are highly admirable. His passion for travel to explore different parts of the world, combined with his commitment to spending quality time with family, have helped countless individuals throughout the region as he has opened many doors of opportunity and improved lives.
Thanks for joining us! Let’s start with getting to know who Mashkur Sarwar is. And what are you doing these days?
I am Mashkur Sarwar, an Arab immigrant in New York, the founder of MS-WEB, a web development agency, and a Senior Web Developer by profession. I completed my early education and got admission to a Bachelor of Commerce at New York University. In the early 2000s, I got exposed to the internet and the world of website development. My father got really interested and enrolled me in a couple of web development courses. I completed Harvard’s CS50 program and got certified as a web and mobile development professional.
I worked at a local agency with Senior Web Developers, Designers, and Project Managers and gained experience in supplying themes, plug-ins, and websites to agency clients. Later I worked as a Senior Web Developer for many top companies and developed a tremendous portfolio. I aim to close the technology gap for my business clients and let them explore the digital space for their business growth.
I work with all types of businesses, from small to medium, start-ups, and privately held corporations. The race towards WEB3.0 has given me the flexibility and authority to hand-select my clients. I ensure that all my clients are properly cared for in the fast-paced New York tech business.
What made you decide to become an entrepreneur?
10 years down the lane working as Senior Web Developer, I decided to fly solo and founded MS-WEB. My USP is the reduction in development-launch friction. I wanted to develop games in one week contrary to six weeks while conserving performance, sustainability, and user experience. And for that, I decided to become an entrepreneur.
What would you say are the top 3 skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur, and why?
In my opinion, the top three skills needed to be successful as an entrepreneur are as follows.
First is the adaptability to changing needs of the industry and market. Especially when it comes to the tech world, you must have the ability to be able to adapt to new solutions and technologies to keep yourself relevant. The second is persistence. You should be ready to face failure yet willing to keep going. To succeed, you will have to be persistent. And lastly, one needs to have a great work ethic. The ability and the willingness to work very hard are a must. You should be ready to work more than 18 hours a day to establish yourself initially.
You sound quite passionate about your work; why? Is there a story behind it?
I have selected web development as my career by choice because I found it interesting. I love what I am doing and that’s why I stay passionate about it. There is no specific story about it but I am doing web development because I enjoy doing it.
How do you separate yourself from your competitors?
I pay utmost attention to delivering the highest quality work that follows best practices. I don’t believe in offering something faster and cheaper just to target the mass audience. What separates me from my competitors is my commitment to quality work that speaks for itself. I don’t run after clients, I focus on ones who are happy to pay more if they are offered a premium service and quality product. I try my best to be that premium option that is always in high demand.
What was the biggest problem you encountered launching your own web development agency and how did you overcome it?
It is pretty normal to experience problems when you start a new venture. I can’t pinpoint one particular problem but overall what helped me to handle problems along the journey was by polishing my skill set. I strived hard to understand my level of education and what is needed out in the field. It helped me to handle my problems in a better way. I strongly believe that if one has the robust skill to solve a certain set of problems unfailingly, then there is not much room left for doubts and uncertainties.
How do you stay driven and motivated to keep going in your business?
I enjoy my work. It doesn’t feel like work, that’s why I don’t need any motivation. Working with great teammates gives me the motivation to do better every day. Solving complex problems and working with other skilled developers on specific problems motivates me to be a better version of myself every day.
What’s the best part of your job?
It’s not always enjoyable being the only person in the room with an understanding of design and development, and a vision to translate issues into real-world solutions. The best part of my job is the opportunity to collaborate with like minds and get to see multiple perspectives to solve the issue most effectively.
What is your definition of success?
Being satisfied and content is the perfect definition of success for me.
Thank you so much for this truly amazing interview!
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