My team and I are driven by the idea that we can only build our nation when we build our people. True national development happens when there is true people development.” – Dr. Rosh Khan
After investing time, energy and dedication into medical school and after passing the United States Medical Licensing Exam, Rosh decided to hit the pause button, only to inject that same level of time, energy, and dedication into the unpredictable world of business and entrepreneurship.
Eight years since his decision, he was asked to explain the change of heart. Rosh answered, “It’s often said that you shouldn’t choose a career – you should choose a mission. In reality, there was no change of heart – just a change in direction. Whether it’s healthcare, business, or education, my purpose is simple – put people first and serve them in every capacity possible. Serve them in a way that transforms their lives.”
The charismatic 31-year-old shared that his first company, SocialRank Media, started from a shared attic that he rented in New York. He had just graduated from medical school and had limited funds. He didn’t seek financial support from his family or friends. To afford trips to conferences and print his first flyers and business cards, he held jobs with 1-800-Flowers as a ‘flower delivery boy’ and with LifeBotanica as a herbal supplement salesman. “If you want to make it, if you want to be successful, you must realize that resourcefulness is key. Commit fully by not just saying it but by putting your head down and getting to work – no matter the struggle.”
When asked about why he chose to launch a social media agency out of all the business opportunities available, Rosh explained that he recognized the trends and understood it would be “the next big thing”. He said, “As a teenager, I was fascinated by the tech leaders of the world. As a young adult, it became abundantly clear that digital was and will continue to be the way of the future.”
Today, Rosh is sought after by many renowned international companies for his practical advice, consulting, and mentorship on the various nuances of marketing and business development. Internationally, he worked with Starbucks, Armani Exchange, FORD Motor Company, ClickBank and best-selling authors like Jack Canfield, Adam Grant, and Lewis Howes. In Guyana, he served the Parliament of Guyana, Giftland, Metro Office & Computer Supplies, SOL Guyana, John Fernandes Ltd, and many others – big and small. Regardless of the size of the organization, his team is here to help.
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His second company, the Masterclass Institute, is a full-fledged training and development center. It serves as Guyana’s only Approved Covey Training Center, an affiliate of the internationally-renowned FranklinCovey organization (whose founder wrote the best-selling book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People). The Masterclass Institute also spearheaded the first event of its kind in Guyana, dubbed the Digital Wealth Creation Summit. After two successful years, 1,500 attendees, and countless success stories, this year, the Masterclass Institute has been invited to hold it in Trindad & Tobago, thereby transforming the local initiative into a regional movement. Rosh’s work in the field and his study of trends cause him to believe that ICT and MIS must be strategically nurtured to create a better Guyana. When asked about his big dream for the future, he said, “I have a dream that one day that someone’s Aunty, Uncle, or Granny in the USA is going to call their relative here in Guyana and ask, ‘Can YOU send me $100 or $200 or even $500 USD?’ We’ve grown too accustomed to having it one way – the easy way – and we haven’t truly leveraged the knowledge, tools, and resources available to us. We have everything it takes to create a different reality for Guyanese. Oil is here, and it can serve as a catalyst, but we cannot stop fostering and nurturing the other industries. To achieve that reality, more of us need to roll up our sleeves, work together, and do all we can to make it happen.” Rosh’s big-picture thinking is that in a few years, they’ll be able to fund the establishment of not-for-profit learning centers across Guyana, with a particular focus on ICT education and community development. He asks, “The country is abuzz with building five-star hotels and malls. The real question is: Are we building five-star communities?” When asked if he had any advice for young entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs in Guyana, he replied, “Whether you’re young or young at heart, the blueprint is simple, although not easy: Find a need and fill that need. Period! Be committed to the vision of a better future for all. Enlist advice and mentorship where needed. Understand that no matter how well-intentioned you are, malpractice and lack of strategic processes are a recipe for disaster. Listen to the market and let humility, passion, curiosity, and the desire for a better Guyana guide you.” How did you arrive at the idea for your business? What was your key driving force to become an entrepreneur? What is your greatest challenge being an entrepreneur? What has been your most satisfying moment in business? What piece of advice would you give to other young people who want to become entrepreneurs? How do you define success? Who has been your greatest inspiration?Questions
8 years ago, the concept of social media advertising was beginning to pick up steam in the developed world. Although the user base of the social media channels was growing rapidly, businesses, on the other hand, were much slower to adopt an effective marketing strategy on those platforms. I looked at the statistics and consumer trends and new digital marketing and social media would be the way of the future.
I’ve always said, “Business must be about profits but profits must have a purpose.” Entrepreneurship is a means to an end – the ultimate win-win. But beyond the wins of the business and the customer, we must go one step further and ask, “How does this build our community, our nation, and our world?” If it doesn’t, it’s not a venture I find myself involved in.
I’ve been told that I’m guilty of “living in the future”, always attempting to come up with innovative ideas and solutions to launch in the market. However, in business, timing is everything. Launching a product or service at the wrong time can be devastating. In the past, I’ve done that. Now I always remind myself that although some variables are impossible to predict with certainty, it’s important to analyze as many factors as possible before launch.
There’s no feeling as satisfying as knowing you made an impact – that you were part of the transformation. When customers and their families call or visit me to say that working with us has completely changed their life and business, it validates why my team and I do what we do. Strong businesses become stronger because they impact more people through their products and services. Strong businesses stay strong because they are compelled to hire more people to sustain their growth. It’s the ultimate win-win.
Solve a problem first. Offer a solution first. Do not chase the money first. Yes, it’s important – it’s absolutely necessary. But don’t let money be the end-all be-all. As an entrepreneur, understand that you should focus on creating value. The byproduct of the value you create is money.
In our office, we created a simple equation and mounted it on the wall. It reads: SUCCESS = GROWTH + IMPACT. Self-growth is important, but it doesn’t stop there. It’s also about HOW one uses that growth (i.e., one’s knowledge, talents, skills, and resources) to create a ripple effect of positive impact throughout the local or global community.
There are so many sources of inspiration that it would be difficult to single out just one. Perhaps instead I should say ‘what’ my greatest inspiration is. That comes from the dreams, inspirations, and successes of everyone I look up to. From our international heroes like Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi to our local heroes like Cuffy and Dave Martins, they created a feeling of hope for the future. I am inspired by that vision. I am driven by the idea that Guyana will one day become a beacon of the world.
