Making business

[ibn Kamal]

Have some of you brothers ever thought of making ones own business. A little company for export or import, or translation or whatever... Perhaps some of you have even started something. Would be great if you could share it here, even if it is only an idea, or a suggestion, or problems which comes due to it or whatever...
Because i cant get this out of my head :)

[Abuz Zubair]

excellent thread... we need to become financially independent, and this is surely one way. Can someone come up with anything apart from another Islamic publishing company and a bookshop? Dar this or Maktaba that?!

[IslamicIdentity]

My friend is starting a business, and wants me to work with him. It's credit repair; the startup costs are minimal, it seems great since I still go to college. Him and I could make a great team, however, I fear Allah (swt) that this line of business is not halal. Here is an overview of the business:


Dispute inaccuracies with the credit agencies on behalf of the customer


Contact creditors to work out a monthly repayment plan or a partial settlement on behalf of the customer


Offer advice to the customer on improving one's credit score

I never had credit card before and don't intend to have one. Should I mess with this business, or leave it alone. Jazzah-kom-Allah-al-khair.

Abu Hamza

[ibn Kamal]

@Abuazzubair
Could you explain why it would be for us so important to become independent? I assume you mean for the Muslimeen here in the west.

@islamicidentity
Brother, as far as i understand you, i dont think this is possible without falling in
sins, like paying ribaa or only to help paying it.

Anyway, my thought was more individually. I think most of the brothers worked with Kufaar and it is quite dangerous. Not the work itself or they, but that one will get more and more close to them and adapt some of their habits or their behaviours or whatever comes bad from them. I saw it on myself sometimes i laughed at a joke or spoke something and afterwards i said to myself "man, what are u laughing about/what nonsense are you talking"... So with going into business for oneself could solve these problems and perhaps, depending on what one is going to do, through this one can make hijra.
I worked some months in the company of a brother, he is in his middle twenties and has his own company exporting electrics per ship, mostly lamps and bulbs to Jordan and sometimes other arabic countries. Mash2allah it is running good.
But he is still based in the west.
I think electrics is a good field for export in arabic/islamic countries. I thought of exporting electric generators, the small ones run by fuel, to Sudan. Because some hours in the day there is no electricity, and i dont mean darfur or the south, no in the big cities in the north.
One brother told me one he knows someone who made business in egypt, by selling saunas(yes saunas in egypt!!!) and whirlpools there. It was unknown but then the riches discovered it and all wanted it.
There are a lot of ideas. Studied brothers have even more chances, have some of u studied something and then made business in this field or made hijra and work there?
The thing is not about getting money and become rich, no, but becoming independent and earn money on halal way, without being inferior to Kufaar who command you and becoming like them. And sure, al rizqu 3ala allah
So brothers, i dont believe only a few of u have thought about this. This concerns u all.

[Abuz Zubair]

@Abuazzubair
Could you explain why it would be for us so important to become independent? I assume you mean for the Muslimeen here in the west.

For many, many, MANY reasons... financial independence would allow us to fund our younger generation with respect to studying, housing, jobs, business, charity, etc, etc... without the need for riba loans...

[Salsabil]

why has this thread been dead? Muslims used to be best businessmen in the world, remember Abdurahman ibn Auf, and Usman ibn Affan, may Allah be pleased with them. Doing business couldnt be easier today, when we have internet and are able to travel across the world. This forum alone brings together muslims from all parts of the planet, and muslims here are usually more intelligent than the average in their respective societies.

The Jews always help each other and do business with each other, and they are much more divided than us, but they put their differences aside when it comes to business.

[Salsabil]

Lets make a different assumption. Say you have a starting capital, up to 1 million $, how would you invest it? I am not saying give out your entire business plan, but do you have any ideas?

I personally would prefer something to do with trade, i.e. buying and selling, in this case you would at least have you goods, which you could sell. I have been into production, building materials and oil, but its much riskier, although the profit margins are much higher.

[Salsabil]

Also, I heard that Jordan has a free trade agreement with EU and US, does anyone know if its true? This could give a lot opportunities.

[William Wurkmun Fosterr]

My Father was an entrepreneur. He did very Well. A Very Holy Man, too. That's my Impression of Sheikhs, and Arabs in general. :Holy Moguls.

I have a couple of things going. I don't have the stomach for the markets. I don't understand how they work, so I just buy certificates of deposit. I have a Job and I am a musician.

It's Wonderful to have money if only for the Good That it can Do. There are Teams of doctors Here in the US that go around the World doing plastic surgery on poor children who have cleft palates and/or lips. The transformation is Incredible. It affects the Child's Life Unbelievably. I'd like to Give more There and A Lot of Other Places. There's a Charity in Cambodia that Takes Care of and Educates Children Who would otherwise do nothing but pick through trash in a huge dump site.

Good Things Are Happening. I Want To Be A Contributor.

I Wish Each And Every One Of You Spiritual, Mental, Financial, Professional, Familial, and Physical Prosperity!!!

William:)

[Salsabil]

Also, I heard that Jordan has a free trade agreement with EU and US, does anyone know if its true? This could give a lot opportunities.

Yes its true:

http://ec.europa.eu/trade/issues/bilateral/countries/jordan/index_en.htm

[Magoo]

A very good thread

i would invest in assets, but the secret is, which assets increase in value?

what are the most valuable commodities in the market?

IMO with the credit crunch coming its good to hold on to what you got, in the terms of raw capital and then take advantage of a weaker and cheaper economy when the recession peaks..

[Salsabil]

Yes, if one has a big capital to invest, property would be a good choice if you choose right places. For example, some Spanish sea resort, are growing pretty fast, Dubai is growing pretty fast and other such places. What you do, is you buy a flat for example, for 100 000, and let it for 1 000 a month for example (1% from value is considered a good price), so you get 12 000 a year plus you property rises in value 20% - 30%, if you choose a good place like Dubai. Dubai now has new laws allowing foreigners to own property, so its cool. That’s not bad at all, considering that you don’t do much and risks are very low.

[Salsabil]

however, with some trade, you could get 100% back in less than a year.

[Salsabil]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2640259.stm

Mecca Cola challenges US rival

Mr Mathlouthi says America must change its policies


By Verity Murphy
BBC News Online




Coke is no longer it. Or at least it won't be if Tawfik Mathlouthi has anything to do with it.
Ultimately it is the consumer who will make the decision

Coca-Cola

Mr Mathlouthi is the French entrepreneur behind Mecca Cola, a new soft drink designed to cash in on anti-American sentiment around the world.

He hopes to make Mecca Cola the soft drink of choice for Muslims everywhere and thus push out that icon of American capitalism Coca-Cola.

It is all about combating "America's imperialism and Zionism by providing a substitute for American goods and increasing the blockade of countries boycotting American goods," Mr Mathlouthi told BBC News Online.

It is not the first time Coca-Cola has been the target of a "buy Muslim" challenge. Zamzam Cola, an Iranian drink named after a holy spring in Mecca, has won an enthusiastic reception in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

Coca-Cola has dismissed Mr Mathlouthi's move, saying he had "identified a commercial opportunity which involves the exploitation in Europe of the difficult and complex situation in the Middle East".

"Ultimately it is the consumer who will make the decision," the company said in a statement.


Boycott protest

Popular anger against the United States over its support for Israel amid the Palestinian intifada has sparked a campaign to boycott American products throughout Arab countries.

US exports to Saudi Arabia declined by more than 40% in the first three months of 2002.

The drink is flying off the shelves


Coca-Cola admits that along with other businesses, it has "felt some impact of such boycotts," though it does not elaborate.

The company insists that it is "not affiliated with any religion or ethnic group" and does not engage in politics.

Demand for bottles of Mecca Cola - which bear the slogan "No more drinking stupid, drink with commitment" - is already soaring.

Launched in France just two months ago, the drink is now being exported to Britain, Germany, Belgium, Italy and Spain.

Next week the Scandinavian countries Sweden and Denmark will join the club, Mr Mathlouthi said.

And in one month's time the drink will go on sale in the Middle East for the first time.

Huge demand

Mr Mathlouthi says that two million bottles, each holding 1.5 litres, have already been sold and the demand for advance orders has been phenomenal.
It is not my problem, it is the problem of the US administration. If they want to change anti-US sentiment they must change their policies and their double standards on human rights and politics

Tawfik Mathlouthi


"We have orders for 16 million bottles and in England alone orders for two million bottles a month," Mr Mathlouthi said.

The first businesses to sell Mecca Cola were what Mr Mathlouthi described as "small ethnic shops in Muslim areas".

But now the drink can be found on the shelves of large cash and carry supermarkets in France, Belgium and Germany.

Profits to charity

One of the main attractions for buyers, Mr Mathlouthi says, is the fact that 10% of the profits go to charities operating in Palestinian territories and 10% to European NGOs.

When asked how the company ensures that the money it provides to Palestinians does not get channelled into terrorist activities Mr Mathlouthi says the aid is never given directly as cash.

"We give help by providing clothes and goods, or by paying the costs of the construction of schools there," he said.

"If we give money we give it to Unicef," the United Nations Children's Fund, he added.

The other 10% is passed on to NGOs based in Europe who are working to promote peace around the world, he said.

Mr Mathlouthi is not concerned that his incendiary "Don't drink stupid" logo may encourage anti-American sentiment, a growing problem worldwide.

"It is not my problem, it is the problem of the US administration. If they want to change anti-US sentiment they must change their policies and their double standards on human rights and politics," he said.

[Abu Dharr Al Kashmiri]

Asalaam'alaykum bro that story is almost 5 years old! Anyway, mecca cola and qibla cola were fizzled out within one or two years(in UK). To compete with Coca Cola is very hard, in Pakistan there are logos of Coca Cola anywhere and everywhere, even in high mountains where it seems people have never been, yet there are Coca Cola logos present!

[William Wurkmun Fosterr]

Asalaam'alaykum bro that story is almost 5 years old! Anyway, mecca cola and qibla cola were fizzled out within one or two years(in UK). To compete with Coca Cola is very hard, in Pakistan there are logos of Coca Cola anywhere and everywhere, even in high mountains where it seems people have never been, yet there are Coca Cola logos present!


Thanks for The Info, Brother. I Just Believe That God Blesses Challengers to monopolies.

William:)

[al-Athari]

My older brother will be opening up a Medic Care Transportation company. Where you basically own and operate about 5+ cars & vans. To pick up patients from their residency to the hospital. It's good money alhamdulilah and there's nearly 4 muslim companies alreaday making my brother insha'allah the 5th.

[William Wurkmun Fosterr]

Thanks for The Info, Brother. I Just Believe That God Blesses Challengers to monopolies.

William:)

Some chain stores make their own cola here. They're satisfied with a market share. It's Good stuff.

[Umm]

Evoca cola is still going strong alhamdulillah. It tastes quite nice too, especially chilled.

http://www.evocadrinks.com/main.html

[AbuBakr Jazairi]

Nice and helpful thread ,

about the coca-cola boycott issue , it's been a while since this protest started and there are a lot of people had been participated and still so , but the problem is that the most of the ARABIC CHANNELS are still promoting for it , and so are a lot of ARABIC FOOTBALL TEAMS because they don't care about anything but money and they're looking for sponsors , and there are other people also looking for commercial benefits without considering any principales at least for the others , I have a friend who faced a lot of problems while working as a partner in a small store that sells HALAL FOODS , he swore that he won't sell coca-cola anymore but his partner bought dozens of bottles without telling him , as a result when he find out that , he was obliged to pay from his share and take all the bottles to pour them in the river and he ended his work with that bro and faced a lot of difficulties to start again alone...

And the biggest problem here is that the factory that produces COCA-COLA locally produces ALCOHOLs drinks too!!!

And about another ideas to establish an independant business , I have some , and they are all based on the net , I'm a programmer and I've done some works that relates to the E-Commerce for some net friends , after that I had the idea to create a FREELANCING site like rentacoder or getafreelancer , I'm able and I can do it , but the first problem that stands against me , is my country's financial policies and other issues , I'm in ALGERIA , and being in ALGERIA is not helping because I won't be able to withdraw money from PAYPAL nor can use the GOOGLECHECKOUT , than I thought of creating an E-MARKET , just for ARABS like ebay or amazone , and I choosed to use an ARABIC payment method like CASHU & E-DINAR so that all ARABS would be able to use it, and as usual I faced the problem #2 , I wanted to go to Jordan because the CASHU's head office is there , and wanna be a reseller of their COUPONS to offer the CASHU for Algeriens too , but they tell me that's forbidden to take the foreign currencies (devise) outside Algeria!? what a hilarious policy they applicate on ordinary people like me!!

So , all the doors were closed , even if ideas and the ability is present , the policy may be a very taugh obstacle that would end your dreams...

Any way if I get any new ideas I'll post them here insha ALLAH

By the way , I was aiming this year to continue my studies in another country and I did all what I should do and when it came to paying the tuition fees all the banks told me that , it's forbidden to do a WIRE TRANSFER :)) even the french banks (SOCIéTé GéNéralE , BNP Pariba...) and even the Amirican's and Arabic's (CITI BANK , ABC Banking...etc) , I felt like being in a huge cage and my freedom was limited :(