We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Azfar Imam. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Azfar below.
Hi Azfar, thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
It was in 2020 that COVID-19 affected every person in the world including me. I was working for a company full-time and then suddenly I was let go due to a lack of business. I was worried sitting at home wondering if the company would call me back or not. This experience made me realize that a job can go away quickly. My wife Sofia who is my partner in all my businesses told me one day about how you have a great mind and the experience that you gained in your job can be used to start your company. I was nervous at first, but she supported me about doing my own business. This made me think about how an entrepreneur can control their own destiny. From there I never looked back but rather gained more confidence to do something worthwhile. Now looking back, I feel very happy to have made the decision. Emotionally sometimes I feel my business is growing slowly, but I know it is a long journey. Last 4 years, we have made great strides. I feel my brand has evolved into more mature and the ideas I have gained every day have been fruitful in making my companies grow. I feel a client has a need for a unique service that you can help them in times of need. I started World Wide Access staffing because my recruiting past made me want to help people who need jobs. Also, in my prior job, I was a coordinator for a translation agency, and it also made me want to start an agency where we can help clients who cannot understand each other. Learning Alliance interpreting is my other business that I started after COVID-19. Both World Wide Access staffing and Learning Alliance interpreting were started keeping in mind that client satisfaction is the number one goal for my company. I feel if you are passionate about helping people they will come and stay with you. We believe in building relationship with clients. World Wide Access staffing provides not only a staffing solution but has a job portal for jobseekers and companies. Learning Alliance also has more range of services such as LMS platform where people can show their unique skills to others who may have an interest in learning from them. I believe this unique approach for both businesses is what excites me because I think once people see it, they will resonate with my company brand. Also solving people problems is my top priority and it makes me want to keep improving every day.
Azfar, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Azfar Imam and I finish my master’s degree in business management from Brooklyn College 5 years ago. I was recruiting for a company owned by my friend. This gave me more confidence to screen and interview candidates which made me realize how much I want to be a recruiter. Once Covid 19- made me lose my job, I spoke to my friend and told him about my business idea. He wanted to help me achieve my dream. I started Learning Alliance and World Wide Access at the same time.
My company World Wide Access is not only a staffing firm; it has a Job Portal for candidates and clients. World Wide Access number one goal is to help people. Client can come to us for candidates while using our Job Board to post and source resume on their own. This approach helps client get better candidates who may not be available. Our solution is to see through other people’s eye and put us in their place to solve any problem. Candidate and client can use World Wide Access to meet and connect with each other.
Learning Alliance interpreting is a solution for those who cannot communicate with each other due to a language barrier. I am proud to help school clients where parents, students and teachers communicate during meetings using our professional interpreters. Learning Alliance also has an LMS platform for people to upload courses online or teach live sessions. It is not only a website to learn skills and gain knowledge but tutor others. You can do study in your convenience from home because people are busy working or doing other commitments.
Our websites: Staffing (https://worldwideaccess.net) Job Portal (https://jobs.worldwideaccess.net)
Interpreting (https://learnalliances.com) Education/LMS (https://learningalliance.us, https://lms.learningalliance.us)
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
It has been a long journey since I arrived in US 34 years ago with my family. In the beginning, I worked odd jobs to pay for my education. I learned discipline and hard work in life. I realized that to achieve my dream, it is important to go to college. I believe that nothing comes easy in life, so you have to keep trying your best.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy for growing client base is to have an honest communication and show them you care about them. As long as you tell them why something is being done, they will understand it which is an important strategy for the growth of a company.
Contact Info:
- Website: (https://worldwideaccess.net) (https://jobs.worldwideaccess.net) (https://learnalliances.com) (https://learningalliance.us) (https://lms.learningalliance.us)
- Instagram: (https://www.instagram.com/learnalliances/) (https://www.instagram.com/WWAStaffing/) (https://www.instagram.com/LearningATutor/)
- Facebook: (https://www.facebook.com/learnalliances/) (https://www.facebook.com/WWAStaffing/) (https://www.facebook.com/LearningATutor)
- Linkedin: (https://www.linkedin.com/company/learnalliances/) (https://www.linkedin.com/company/wwastaffing/) (https://www.linkedin.com/company/LearningATutor/)
- Twitter: (https://twitter.com/learnalliances) (https://twitter.com/WWAStaffing/) (https://twitter.com/LearningATutor)
- Youtube: (https://www.youtube.com/@learnalliances) (https://youtube.com/@WWAStaffing) (https://www.youtube.com/@LearningATutor)
- Other: (https://tiktok.com/@learnalliances) (https://tiktok.com/@wwastaffing0) (https://www.tiktok.com/@learningatutor)
Image Credits
N/A