Robb Reader

The everyday person may pick up a sport, and if he enjoys it enough, it’ll become part of his routine. But Nazar Musa isn’t like most. The businessman enjoys boxing so much, he went on to found Spartans Boxing Club in Singapore.

“BUSINESSES ARE EASY to run, really. You have a product that costs a certain amount to produce and you sell it for another amount. As long as the selling price outweighs the cost, you’ve got yourself a business. It’s not that complicated,” laughs Nazar Musa.

Sounds like an overly simplified version of real life? Perhaps. But there is truth in Musa’s words. It’s all about balancing; be it numbers or growth. And he knows more than just a thing or two about it; the serial entrepreneur has founded and run numerous businesses in the travel and health industries. It was also this mindset that pushed the Dubai-based Musa to found Spartans Boxing Club in Singapore in 2015.

The first thing you’d notice is Spartan’s lack of presence in the central business district as all its 10 outlets are found in neighbourhoods. “My vision is for Spartans to be a community,” he says. This means “setting up shop where people live, instead of work, where members are transient especially when they change jobs”, allowing them to get to know fellow members as they punch the bags. And it paid off. Spartans grew from having four locations in 2019 to 10 in 2020. It’s no mean feat during an economic downturn. The pandemic no doubt accelerated its growth as split working arrangements meant that time saved on travelling could be spent elsewhere.

I don’t make a great employee and I found that out very early on in my career. It’s important to learn about your strengths and weaknesses, and capitalise on them. I’m headstrong and I don’t take direction well. But I have the ability to find the right people, those who are detail oriented, who can plug the gaps for me. That has led me to own businesses or be part of something I own.

I have failed more times than I have succeeded. You need to accept that some of your decisions are going to be wrong. Realise the mistake, rectify it and move on quickly.

You can’t overthink things as a business owner, especially when you’re running multiple companies. It’s also really important to learn to compartmentalise so that the other businesses and aspects of your life do not get compromised.

I love that boxing forces me to focus and be in that moment. Otherwise, you’re going to get punched in the face. I apply that same concept at work and that has proved helpful.

Peak performance to me is looking and feeling healthy. Prior to picking up boxing, I weighed 123kg. I’ve since lost 40kg and now hover at around 80 to 85kg. When I’m healthy, I feel good and confident, and can make quick and sharp decisions in the office.

I don’t want Spartans to be the next UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) or One Championship. My goal is for it to be synonymous with the community and whitecollar boxing. It makes me happier knowing that people who’ve never boxed in their lives are training for their first fight, having them go through 10 or 12 weeks of intense training, stress and pain.

My favourite boxing combo is the jab, cross, hook. It’s simple, nothing fancy, but not the easiest to master.