He has been an entrepreneur since his childhood. While studying in school, there were 7 to 10 days of holidays teachers used to give homework of practicing English and Bangla handwriting comprising of 20 to 30 pages. When all of his friends were busy in enjoying their holidays, he was an exception as he used to enjoy his holidays in a different manner. He did all the handwritings for his friends and collected in return 20 to 30 pages of English and Bangla copies from all of them and made copies for himself with those pages. Even during Eid he used to buy and sell Eid cards and popular carbonated drinks like Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Sprite etc.
I have been narrating the story of Md Abu Bakar Siddique. At present, he has been working as a Programmer of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) after completing his study in Computer Science and Engineering from the same institute. However, he likes to give his identity as an entrepreneur rather than the one as a BUET employee. Things handled by this successful entrepreneur also include local chickens. He brings domesticated local chickens for his customers from way back to his village and delivers those chickens at the doorsteps of customers. Therefore, Abu Bakar likes to introduce himself as a chicken vendor above everything.
He is not fond of a confined life as he enjoys travelling. He always wants to keep control over time in his own hand. He weaved the dream of becoming an entrepreneur as he never wanted to be an employee rather his own boss.
In 2016 he established tourism-based group Boundole Tours. He travelled to different corners of the world with his group. At the same time, he was thinking of doing something more. While travelling in the villages and hills of Bangladesh, he was attracted towards different pure products available therein. He decided to reach those products to the people.
From this thought in 2019, he established an online-based E-Commerce page named Jomjom foods. Although local chicken is the key attraction of this site other products include: duck meat, beef, honey from the Sundarbans, fish from the river, dates, Ghee from Pabna, Mango, Mustard Oil etc.
He launched his online page with minimum capital. However, he never compromised with honesty, quality of product and after-sale services.
However, the beginning was not that much easy as he had to face many obstacles. His main aim was to reach the pure product to the customer having ensured the quality at the same time. He had to do a lot of hard work to earn buyers’ confidence.
According to him, it is challenging to reach the product to the customers at the right time.
But today he is a successful entrepreneur. In early childhood, he began his study at the hand of his mother Sultana Shefaly. His mother brought up her children strictly. His parents never pressurized as far as the study is concerned but always encouraged to do something better.
Abu Bakar’s Government servant father Md Eahia Siddique wanted his son to choose the same profession thereby having state honour and luxury. But Abu Bakar did not follow that path.
He completed SSC in the year 1999 from B M Union High School of Tangail with 887 marks. His father wanted his son to stay in Dhaka and study in a well-reputed college. Abu Bakar got admitted to Notre Dame College at the inspiration of his father. While Abu Bakar was a student of Notre Dame College his father used to come to Dhaka every week braving storm, rain and flood just to have a glimpse of his son.
In 2001, he passed HSC from Notre Dame College with 876 marks. After completing SSC he had the dream of studying at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. A new horizon opened in front of him when he passed the admission test. Abu Bakar got admitted to the Computer Science and Engineering Department. At that time Abu Bakar’s father Yahia Siddiqui purchased a computer for his son with the proceeds from his Provident Fund. All these initiatives encouraged Abu Bakar to do something better in the days to come.
Pointing to the youths this entrepreneur states that the opportunity to become a BCS cadre is very much limited although the youth community is more eager to participate in BCS exams. As the enrolment procedure of BCS is quite lengthy, the youths have to lead the life as unemployed. Therefore, E-Commerce provides a huge opportunity for youths. It is possible to commence E-Commerce, F-Commerce trade with very less capital. Therefore, he urges youths to become entrepreneurs rather than chasing the golden dear named BCS.
He believes that youths can establish themselves with minimum capital and hard work if they are ambitious. Above all, he comments that nothing is impossible if there is honesty and sincerity towards the work.
aa/wi
