We were lucky to catch up with Mahdi Abdulkhaleq recently and have shared our conversation below.
Mahdi, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
The first real risk I took was opening Babylon International Market. It was my first business, and I was putting myself out there financially and personally, learning everything from scratch. That experience taught me a lot about taking calculated risks and trusting myself.
More recently, I took another risk by starting a new venture as a general contractor. I got my license last month and dove into building new construction houses, even though it was a completely different industry from retail. I did it because I saw something bigger the chance to build quality homes for people in Knoxville, and eventually expand across Tennessee. So far, it’s been an incredible journey, and taking that leap has already started to open doors I never imagined.
Mahdi, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m Mahdi Abdul, a 26-year-old entrepreneur based in Knoxville. At 23, I stepped into nursing, a role that shaped my work ethic and allowed me to make a real difference in people’s lives. At 24, I took my first leap into business by opening Babylon International Market, a neighborhood grocery where I learned what it takes to build something from scratch and serve a community.
And now at 26, I started Najaf Investments LLC and began building my first home in Knoxville, taking on the challenge of creating homes people can trust and be proud of. My plan is to expand as much as possible in the upcoming years, building new homes throughout Knoxville and eventually across Tennessee. What sets me apart is that I’m involved in every step, from planning and permits to construction, so clients know the work is done with care and quality.
I’m proud of taking risks, learning continuously, and making an impact in the communities I serve. Whether it’s providing great products at Babylon or building homes through Najaf Investments LLC, my focus is personal, professional, and results-driven, with the goal of creating opportunities and leaving a lasting mark.
Have you ever had to pivot?
A major pivot in my journey came after running Babylon International Market. I loved the business and what I was building in my community, but I realized I wanted to create something bigger something tangible that could have a lasting impact on Knoxville. That’s when I decided to start Najaf Investments LLC and get my general contractor license.
It was a big leap because construction was completely different from retail, and I had to learn everything from permits to project management while taking on my first home build. It was challenging, but it taught me the value of trusting myself, embracing the unknown, and staying hands-on in every step of the process. That pivot has opened doors I never imagined, and now the plan is to expand, building new homes across Knoxville and eventually throughout Tennessee.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Building my first house really tested me. There were so many unexpected challenges from getting permits to coordinating with subcontractors and plenty of times it felt overwhelming. But I stayed hands-on, figured things out as I went, and pushed through. Seeing that first house getting built made me realize that persistence and hard work really pay off, and it’s a mindset I carry into every project I take on
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Mahoodi_Abdul
- Facebook: Mahoodi Abdul
