The landscape of business has always been fraught with high risks, a factor that often dissuades families from encouraging their children to venture into entrepreneurship. Instead, they advocate focusing on education to secure high-paying jobs. This was the scenario for Momin Dayon, a self-made entrepreneur who embarked on his journey at a remarkably young age.
During his pursuit of an honors degree, Momin developed an interest in leather products, sensing their broad market appeal among his peers. He initiated his entrepreneurial endeavor by investing BDT 25,000, accumulated from his personal savings, into purchasing leather goods from various Dhaka markets.
Selling these products within his network and at different fairs, he continued reinvesting profits discreetly, keeping his family unaware due to their concerns about its impact on his studies.
At a fair in 2017, Momin discovered the Bangladesh Youth Enterprise Advice and Help Center (BYEAH) and its Entrepreneurship Support Programs. Enrolling in BYEAH’s Basic Entrepreneurship Training, Momin learned the potential for higher profits by manufacturing leather goods within a shorter supply chain rather than solely engaging in trade.
This distinction between entrepreneurship and trading businesses became clear to him. Armed with a viable business plan and mentorship from the program, he leased a small factory in Mohammadpur. Samo Leather was born, focusing on producing leather items from processed wholesale materials with an initial staff of two.
Participation in various business fairs and completion of BYEAH’s Advanced Digital Training expanded Momin’s vision, enabling him to enter e-commerce and market his products on dedicated business websites and online platforms.
Today, Samo Leather stands as an established entity with a capital of BDT 15 million, a working factory equipped with six machines, and a team of seven employees. Momin envisions spreading his products across different districts, expanding the factory, and employing 50 more individuals in the next three years. Encouraging young minds, he advocates prioritizing entrepreneurship over hastily pursuing jobs, thereby fostering job creation.
Momin Dayon’s inspiring journey exemplifies his ambition to not just build his business but also to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit among the youth.
