It takes time to establish oneself in the job market when you're foreign-born and have arrived in a completely new country. It is even more challenging to start and run a business when you have to learn a new language, a new societal culture, and the regulations associated with running a business. This is what the company Lynkrr aims to change with its modern, fully integrated platform - where every customer conversion creates a meaningful social impact and significantly boosts people's chances of building successful businesses! Now you can read the story of Ahmad Kheder, CEO of Carmy AB, learn more about his innovation and how Lynkrr has helped him with his entrepreneurship.
In 2021 he arrived in Sweden from Brazil, where he lived for almost 2 years after leaving Syria in 2019 with a background in Computer Science and a passion for cars and mechanics. He has built Carmy AB which is an exciting tech innovation aiming -among other aims- to help customers save car repair costs by predicting issues in advance and providing them with detailed DIY guides if they want to repair the car themselves.
"It's been a privilege working with Ahmad on the CarMy.ai project. His sharp intellect and innovative approach are reflective of the highly educated expat community I've had the pleasure to work with at Lynkrr. Ahmad's contributions have been invaluable, making this collaboration both enriching and inspiring." Omar Alzokani - CEO Founder of Lynkrr
“The collaboration has been a transformative experience for me. The agile working way and the personalized consultancy service they provided were exceptional. It wasn’t just the tailored advice that was impressive, but the way the consultants invested time to understand my unique needs and goals.”, says Ahmad Kheder, CEO of Carmy AB.
Interview with Ahmad Kheder
Why did you come to Sweden?
I came to Sweden to help my family in Syria by sending them financial aid so they can survive there.
Can you share a bit about your background and professional experience before coming to Sweden?
I have a computer science and digital electronics engineering bachelor degree from a very unique college in my city Tartous.
Before graduating, I noticed that in Syria, there are no jobs, extremely low salaries (15 USD per month) if you can get a job. Also, there is no way to be accepted in a job if I didn’t go to the military first, which is a disaster because of the current war.
I had to choose between traveling and starting a new life knowing that I won’t be able to see my family for several years. And going to the military, facing death, risking my life and having to borrow money just to eat a meal every day.
After graduation, I got a visa to Brazil and started learning Portuguese which despite its difficulty, took me only 2 months to reach a conversational level. Hence, I was able to search for jobs in IT.
I got my first job after applying for more than 574 jobs. But eventually I joined a company that has an office in Stockholm. This gave me the idea of applying for a job in Stockholm.
I applied, and got approved, so I moved to Sweden to work for the same company but in a different country and team.
What were the biggest cultural and professional adjustments you had to make when you arrived?
The biggest adjustment is learning to live my life alone. I am very sociable and I find it hard to live without friends.. Unfortunately, It’s almost impossible to make friends here even if I speak Swedish. So I am living alone, I don't speak to people outside of work and got used to it.
What prompted the idea for the innovation?
I have been dreaming of owning a Mercedes AMG for over 19 years and I still can’t afford it.
It being my obsession, I spend nights just simulating the owning experience and figuring out how much money it would cost me if I really owned it.. I found out that maintenance is the scariest part of it. E.g. An engine failure can cost a fortune.
While I was thinking, at around 4:30 a.m, I said to myself: I need to avoid failures, I need to discover issues before they even happen. I want to hear about the errors from my car itself as soon as they appear. Engine-check light is not enough. How can I monitor it? How much will it save me? This must help reduce the costs
What were the challenges in starting the business?
The lack of experience in programming, and in cars’ systems and networks as well as the financial situation that this project requires.
In addition to that, I had no idea about how to start a business or recruit people or do marketing and sales.
How did you initially hear about Lynkrr, and what drew you to their platform?
Facebook ads
What specific features of Lynkrr's platform have been most beneficial to you?
The platform has been instrumental in my learning journey. The course content is not only comprehensive but also meticulously curated, covering what an entrepreneur needs to start the journey. The topics are both relevant and current. What stands out the most is the quality of the instructional videos; they are engaging, informative, and easy to understand. The user interface is intuitive, and the tabs are easy to navigate through, enhancing my interaction with the course materials, and allowing for a deeper understanding of business. Overall, Lynkrr’s platform has transformed the way I approach learning, making it a dynamic and immersive experience.
How is the collaboration with Lynkrr?
The collaboration has been a transformative experience for me. The agile working way and the personalized consultancy service they provided were exceptional. It wasn’t just the tailored advice that was impressive, but the way the consultants invested time to understand my unique needs and goals. Their expertise and dedicated approach elevated my skills and knowledge to a new level, far surpassing my expectations. My meetings with them are interactive, insightful, and incredibly beneficial, providing me with customized solutions and strategies that were directly applicable to my situation. This bespoke service made a significant impact on my professional development, and I can confidently say that it was a remarkable and rewarding experience.
“Lynkrr has been a crucial partner in my entrepreneurial journey.”
Why is Lynkrr so important for your business growth?
Lynkrr has been a crucial partner in my entrepreneurial journey. From the very inception of my business idea, the team has provided invaluable guidance and support. Their expertise in business development is evident in the way they have helped me lay a solid foundation for my startup. As my business began to take shape, Lynkrr’s role became even more significant. Their strategic insights have been instrumental in helping me navigate the complexities of business starting. Their commitment to my success is unwavering, and their contributions are a major driving force behind my business’s growth trajectory. In essence, Lynkrr AB doesn’t just offer services; they partner with you to turn visions into reality, making them an indispensable asset to any start up looking to thrive.
What are the accomplishments of the newly started company?
Lynkrr has played a pivotal role in the refinement and evolution of our product concept. They helped me transform a raw idea into a polished and market-ready product. The team’s insightful feedback has allowed me to perfect the product’s design, functionality, and user experience, ensuring it stands out in the market.
Furthermore, Lynkrr has been exceptional in helping me broaden my vision to encompass a larger scope of customers. Their strategic guidance in market analysis and customer segmentation has enabled us to identify new opportunities and target markets I hadn’t considered before. With their support, I’ve been able to extend my reach and appeal to a more diverse consumer base.
What are the future plans?
I’d like to keep the collaboration with Lynkrr for as long as possible because it gave a lot of confidence and cleared so many doubts.
What advice would you give to other foreign-born entrepreneurs looking to start a business in a new country?
Think of what people need, not how good your product is. They buy what they need, not what you personally like.
How do you envision Lynkrr’s impact on the global business landscape for foreign-born entrepreneurs?
Lynkrr is like a bridge between a non-experienced entrepreneur and the dreams of this entrepreneur
About Lynkrr
Lynkrr is a Founders Loft company dedicated to empowering expats in Sweden by transforming innovative ideas into successful startups. Our mission is to guide expatriates through the journey from ideation to the realization of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), facilitating the birth of robust, scalable startups. At Lynkrr, we provide the tools, resources, and support necessary for talented expats to turn their visionary ideas into thriving businesses.
For more information, go to: Lynkrr.se
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