Q&A WITH YAZEED AL SHAMSI
Q How did you start your journey?
A Ejari is my second start-up. I previously co-founded a venture that focused on algorithmic trading in Saudi Arabia but it failed to take off. I think its important to either have a mission or to be led by it. In the case of that venture, there was no mission other than to make as much money as possible. With Ejari, it’s about solving an actual problem that myself and co-founders faced time and time again, but also a wider problem faced by the majority of renters in Saudi Arabia. Whichever venture I decide to start, I will need to have a lot of passion for what I’ll be doing and be a mission-led organisation.
What new skills have you learnt in the process of starting Ejari?
Resilience, perseverance and determination are the first that come to mind. We’ve already pivoted our business model six or seven times, which was not an easy thing to do – running with a certain model for a while and then realising that for a range of reasons it wouldn’t work.
Experimentation is probably one of the most important things we’ve learnt: trying things and seeing what works and what doesn’t, getting feedback from customers and those in the market. People are willing to go to lengths in explaining their pain points, and that feedback is valuable in architecting your product and customer journey.
Who is your role model?
It is Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The reason goes beyond the reforms that we have witnessed in Saudi Arabia. He transcends politics – the modernisation, economic reforms and initiatives promoting social changes. [His] approach is one of enablement and potential realisation.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A catalyst for positive change in people’s lives. Wherever I am or whatever I’d be doing, there has to be an end goal of helping people. That’s why we started Ejari, because an actual problem exists: people are genuinely struggling to pay their rent.
I’d like myself and my co-founders to create a ripple effect, empowering entrepreneurs, small businesses and individuals to pursue their dreams and ventures. As a founder, the vision transcends profit. In a decade, I hope to look back and see a legacy built not only on financial success but on the tangible difference we’ve made in people’s lives by creating value.
What is your advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
If you’re going to try, go all the way. Otherwise don’t even start, because there are no shortcuts. You should just go for it and put the best plan you have into practice; it’s not going to be perfect and it will change along the way. Starting a company is quite glamourised but what most people don’t understand is how hard it is. We only hear about the successful ones.
They should stick in there, try their best, never quit and whenever they feel like they can’t do it any more, remember why they started. And when you have one of those days [as we all do], get a good night’s sleep and [go] back at it in the morning. And they have to, no matter the circumstances, stay positive and resilient, and position themselves in a supportive environment, not only within the workplace but also with friends and family.