In this episode of The Caravan Podcast, we sit down with Yusuf Siddiquialso known as “Yusuf The Truth” to unpack a story that’s way deeper than content creation.

Yusuf opens up about being sent to an Islamic boarding school in New York at just 12 years old, what it really felt like to grow up in an ultra regimented environment, and how that experience shaped his identity, discipline, and relationship with faith. We talk about the highs, the lows, the loneliness, and why so many people disconnect from religion after experiencing trauma or harsh religious environments.

From there, Yusuf shares how he rebuilt himself in adulthood through running and marathon training, and why the real transformation happens before race day. We also dive into entrepreneurship through the lens of creators: brand deals, agency economics, saying no to misaligned opportunities, and why perfectionism is often just fear in disguise.

Finally, Yusuf breaks down what he’s building in 2026: “The Foundation” a cohort designed to help young men develop discipline, consistency, and the skills to truly show up for themselves.

In this episode of the Caravan Podcast, we sit down with Tarek, founder of Pistache, a DFW bakery blending American desserts with Mediterranean flavor.

Tarek shares his journey growing up between New Jersey and Lebanon, navigating revolution, economic collapse, and identity, before rebuilding his life and business in Texas. We talk about starting Pistache during COVID, learning the hard truths of wholesale, supporting family while running a business, and what it really takes to grow from survival mode into a real brand.

From baklava inspired cheesecakes to pistachio milk, this episode is a raw look at entrepreneurship, resilience, and building something meaningful from scratch.

In this episode, we sit inside a tiny New York City kitchen with Zeeshan Bakhrani, founder of Nishaan, to talk about what it really costs to build something personal. Not just money or hours, but certainty, comfort, and the safety of a predictable path.Zeeshan is a product manager who took time away from stability to build a restaurant rooted in memory, migration, and community. What began as a food truck became Nishaan, a neighborhood gathering place, a Food Network win, and a reflection of growing up Pakistani in Chicago, where food, family, and identity are inseparable. This conversation moves through food, faith, labor, and belonging, and the quiet discipline it takes to keep showing up long after the cameras leave.In this episode, we talk about:- Leaving a corporate career to build something that feels honest- How Pakistani and Chicago food cultures shape creativity- The unseen physical labor behind every sandwich and plate- Why open kitchens change how we value food and workers- Building without perfection and learning in public- Choosing principles over shortcuts, even on national television- Creating community before chasing scaleThis episode is for:Founders questioning the “safe” pathCreatives navigating identity through culture and workBuilders who care more about community than cloutAnyone curious about food as memory, labor, and meaningIf this conversation resonated, subscribe to the channel, leave a comment with what stayed with you, and share this episode with someone building something quietly.

Asim Jetpuri left corporate to go all-in on opening a Goddard School in Garland. We break down franchising vs starting from scratch, leasing vs buying land, the real costs of DFW childcare, and how community leadership + barakah shaped his leap into a 20–30 year business.

We hit “record” and built Caravan in real time — six months of filming, traveling, collaborating, learning, and a few chaotic moments we’ll never forget (including the time we almost lost the footage 😭).In this end-of-year recap episode, you’ll meet more of the Caravan team beyond the faces you always see:Rimsha (Media Optimization Manager), Yousuf (Program Manager), and Ramiz (Producer / the guy behind the cameras) — plus the usual suspects, Hamza and Naveed.We talk about:- Our favorite episodes of the year (and why they hit so deep)- Brands + founders we discovered through the pod (and ones we already loved)- What it actually takes to run a media operation behind the scenes- Lessons we learned about consistency, trust, teamwork, and building with purpose- The funniest / most memorable Caravan moments (yes… the “footage” story is here)If you’ve been watching, supporting, sharing, or even just listening quietly — thank you. Your comments and random “yo I watch your podcast” moments genuinely keep us going.2026 is going to be different. We’re cooking. InshaAllah.📌 Subscribe for weekly episodes📌 Follow Caravan for clips + behind-the-scenes📌 Comment your favorite episode of the year — we’ll shout out a few#CaravanPodcast #MuslimEntrepreneurs #StartupStories #BehindTheScenes #PodcastRecap

Adil didn’t set out to build an app — he set out to change how power works.

In this episode, the founder of Boycott traces a journey that starts with childhood dreams of being a superhero, moves through disillusionment with performative activism, and lands on a radical idea: if power speaks the language of money, then resistance must too.

We unpack:

• Why “social justice” without infrastructure fails

• How boycotts became a tool for economic leverage, not symbolism

• The difference between solving problems now vs. building systems so they never exist again

• Why Muslims are often generous with relief — but hesitant with infrastructure

• The painful reality of being offered a buyout by your enemy before backing from your own community

• How technology enables a global, values-aligned alternative economy

This is a conversation about foundations, not feelings.
About systems, not slogans.
And about what it actually takes to build something that lasts 10, 20, 50 years.

🎧 Watch the full episode — and ask yourself:
Are we trying to feel good today, or build something that prevents the problem tomorrow?

Nadim Ahmed took a leap most people only talk about: he put nearly everything on the line—401k, savings, stability—while his wife was pregnant… to open a Venture X coworking space in DFW.

In this episode, we unpack:

• Why he chose Dallas before he chose coworking

• The real risk (and reality) behind franchising a coworking brand

• What WeWork got wrong (and what operators still get right)

• Why “ideas are cheap” and execution is everything

• The hospitality details that make a space feel premium—down to lighting, layout, and vibe

If you’re building, investing, or debating the jump from corporate to entrepreneurship—this one’s for you.

🎧 Watch the full conversation and let us know: would you ever go “all in” on one bet?

In Episode 26, we sit down with Riaz Surthi, founder of Hearty Foods, to unpack what it really takes to build a mission-driven food brand in today’s competitive CPG landscape.Riaz shares his journey from early experimentation to scaling Hearty Foods, navigating distribution, brand storytelling, and staying grounded while growing a values-first company. We talk about the realities of food entrepreneurship, lessons learned the hard way, and what aspiring founders should know before entering the food and beverage space.Whether you’re a founder, operator, or someone curious about how modern food brands are built, this episode offers real insight into growth, grit, and doing business with intention.

From MBA school → startup grind → Friday Ventures.In this episode, Arshan Ahmad breaks down his journey and how being visibly Muslim shaped the way he leads, builds, and invests.

Welcome to WaZu Capital Partners – Building Wealth Through Smart Real EstateIn this video, we dive deep into WaZu Capital Partners: who they are, what they do, and why they’re turning heads in the real estate investment world.🏡 What is WaZu Capital Partners?WaZu Capital Partners is a U.S.–based real estate development and investment firm focusing on:🏠 Land acquisitions and development of single-family and multifamily homes.🏢 Townhomes, hospitality properties, senior‐living communities, and retail developments.Large-scale, mixed-use real estate projects that create long-term value and opportunities for investors. 👤 Meet the LeadershipZulikha Hussain (“Lady Z”) — Co-Founder & President: 25+ years in real estate, with in-depth experience in commercial land acquisition, multi-use development, light industrial, multifamily, hotels, and more. Mohammad Hussain — Founder & CEO: 15+ years in real estate + 30+ years in technology/network development — bridging real estate with modern technology to build smarter, future-ready properties. 🌟 Why WaZu Capital MattersWaZu doesn’t just build houses — it aims to craft thoughtfully designed communities and mixed-use developments that address housing needs, create growth potential, and offer investors an opportunity to build long-term wealth. Their model brings together seasoned real-estate experience and a forward-looking approach to development.