The Mentoring Developers Podcast

How Zain Mustafa Built a Tech Company from Scratch | Mentoring Developers | Episode 97


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Guest Bio: Zain Mustafa is the CEO of Geeks of Kolachi, a forward-thinking software development agency. With over a decade of experience in the tech industry, Zain has led numerous successful projects, specialising in web and mobile application development. His expertise spans across full-stack development, UI/UX design, and digital transformation, making him a versatile leader in the field. Under his leadership, Geeks of Kolachi has become known for delivering innovative, high-quality solutions.

Introduction to Zain Mustafa

  • Arsalan introduces the guest, Zain Mustafa, founder of a tech company started from freelancing.

Growing from Freelancer to Employer

  • Discussion about Zain expanding his team from freelancing to dozens of employees.

Zain's Greetings and Gratitude

  • Zain expresses his appreciation for the opportunity to be on the show.

The Catalyst for Diving into Tech

  • Arsalan asks Zain about the moment he decided to pursue a career in technology.

Early Love for Computers and First Coding Experience

  • Zain shares how modifying games like Grand Theft Auto ignited his interest in coding.

Choosing Between Cricket and Coding

  • Zain discusses his decision to focus on programming over a potential cricket career.

Do You Need a Computer Science Degree?

  • Conversation about the necessity of formal education in starting a tech career.

The Importance of Community in Learning

  • The value of learning alongside others and building a supportive network.

Working Remotely vs. In-Person Collaboration

  • Arsalan and Zain discuss the pros and cons of remote work and personal space.

Adapting to Hybrid Work Models Post-COVID

  • How companies are balancing remote and in-office work in a post-pandemic world.

Managing Remote Work Challenges at Home

  • Strategies for setting up effective home workspaces despite family and space constraints.

Blurring Lines Between Work and Personal Life

  • Arsalan shares experiences of extended work hours and lack of boundaries while working from home.

The Need for Social Interaction

  • Zain talks about an employee's desire to return to the office for human interaction.

Starting Geeks of Kolachi: Overcoming Early Challenges

  • Zain recounts the struggles faced when launching his company and pivoting strategies.

Transition from Training to Development Services

  • The shift from running a bootcamp to focusing on development due to financial constraints.

Scaling the Company During COVID

  • How Geeks of Kolachi grew from 8 to 30 employees amid the pandemic.

Embracing Entrepreneurship Over Technical Roles

  • Discussion on shifting focus from coding to managing and growing the business.

Building a Client Base Through Referrals

  • The role of client relationships and referrals in business growth.

Establishing a Sales Team

  • The realization of needing a sales team and learning from peers to structure it.

The Power of Online Presence

  • How maintaining an online profile can lead to unexpected job and business opportunities.

Exciting Projects: AI-Powered Relocation Expert

  • Zain describes working on an AI-driven platform to help users find optimal countries for relocation.

Collaborating with Industry Leaders on the Audi Project

  • Insights into developing virtual showrooms for Audi using Unreal Engine.

Balancing Passion Projects and Business Needs

  • The importance of guiding clients honestly, even if it means turning down projects.

Diverse Clientele: Startups to Fortune 500

  • Geeks of Kolachi's experience working with a range of clients across industries.

Technical Evolution and Focus on AI

  • Zain's journey from working with Angular to diving into AI and LLMs.

AI's Impact Across Industries

  • Discussion on how AI is revolutionizing various sectors and the surge in related projects.

The Democratization of AI

  • The accessibility of AI tools like ChatGPT to the general public.

Advice for Aspiring Developers

  • Zain emphasizes the importance of focused learning and community engagement.

Cultivating Curiosity in Development

  • Encouraging developers to remain curious and continuously explore new ideas.

Services Offered by Geeks of Kolachi

  • Overview of the company's capabilities, including 24/7 availability and team structure.

How to Connect with Zain and Geeks of Kolachi

  • Contact information and social media presence for those interested in collaboration.

Closing Remarks and Resources

  • Final thoughts from Arsalan and information on where to find episode notes and links.


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The Mentoring Developers PodcastBy Arsalan Ahmed