We were lucky to catch up with Newzad Brifki recently and have shared our conversation below.

Newzad, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

I believe that it takes discipline to become successful. The number one person to motivate you everyday is you. All you have to do is be consistent in reaching your goals. From experience my problem in the beginning was I always listened to others opinions. Which is good, if it’s good feedback. However most of the time people, especially your close ones (family) will drive you away from your passion or success. For example if you want to start a business; there will be people who tell you about failures or steady pay. Yes, that is a concern but nothing is easy in life. If it were people would be doing the same thing. Know what your good at and try to make your craft better each day. From reading and listening to speakers they say, focus on one area that your really good at and just do that. I completely disagree. I say do different things that is how you will know what you really enjoy and want to do. You can have a normal job, side hustle, etc. but if your goal is to run your own business in the future, set a few hours a day to work on it. Sometimes it takes years to know what you want and this is okay. Patience is a virtue. One has to be willing to be patient to be successful. No one has become rich or successful in one day. Yes, one will endure setbacks, failures, hard times, etc. but this is part of the journey. Focus on you and write down all your goals that you would like to accomplish. You might not accomplish all your goals but you will be happy in the end no matter what it is you are doing.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Newzad Brifki. I am a Kurdish American. I came to the United States of America at age seven in 1992 as a refugee from Kurdistan Region of Iraq with my family. From experience I went through tough times in my life. Especially growing up in a new country, not knowing the language and trying to assimilate. Growing up in poverty. Being raised without a father and my mother had to do it all on her own in raising us kids. I was always a goofy kid in school. Trying to hide what I did not have as a student to make me prepare and love school. I remember seeing other kids in school that had so much and I had so little. After high school, I promised myself that I would become a success story. I would make myself and family proud. I would never face poverty again. I g0t my Associates Degree, Bachelors Degree and Masters Degree. I started a nonprofit organization helping disadvantaged families in poverty and who were new to the country. I have written two books, My Journey to America and War Can’t Stop Love. I ran for City Council and Mayor. I became a businessman starting my own business firm, Brifki Consulting, focusing on Real Estate and Business Services. Starting a business had it’s setbacks and it’s not easy in the beginning. The important thing is for someone to just get started. It’s all about just getting started. Bad ideas rush through your head, somethings might prevent you in doing what you want. However, just clear you mind and try it out. You won’t know if you don’t try. What I do differently is I try to understand my clients. Not all clients are the same. You have some that are very nice and easy to work with. There are others who may question your work. Others are just a headache. Knowing what services I provide and who I provide it to is important. Remember it’s just business, don’t ever take anything personal. If you want to take things personal than business is not it for you. Because that is called a personal relationship. In business one will see it all. They will see profits, losses, stress, lost time and so much more. I try to be available as much as I can for my clients. Answering someone right away is very convenient for them and shows that you are professional and care about them doing business with you. However, you have those who can sometimes be very difficult to work with. I know it can be annoying sometimes when clients don’t leave you alone but being available will make your business become a success. Having said that, one has to time block. What this means for me is taking a break from the stress of work. Going for a walk, talking to a friend or family member on the phone, reading or just closing my eyes and relaxing helps one to recharge throughout the day. I believe my brand is becoming better each day; brifki.com. Everyday I try to add a different business to my career. Something that I am good at and can help people with. Whether is business services, tax services, book publishing, philanthropy, political campaigns or Real Estate.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I believe my experience with my clients is how I get 80% of my business from referrals. If I help a client’s needs and I do it professionally and in a timely manner. This makes them appreciate me and my business. A lot of the time I will get calls or emails and a person will say, so and so mentioned you and I am seeking this kind of service. I respond to their concern right away. We chat and figure out what needs to be done together.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I believe focus on you before anybody else. Make sure that you are completely successful. Don’t feel bad about how the world is and all it’s problems. The world has always been like this. It will shift up and down just like the stock market. Once you are successful than you can contribute back to society; whether it’s your community, state, country or anywhere around the world. In the beginning I was too busy trying to help others and forgot about myself along the way. This drained a lot of time and resources from me. Don’t make the same mistake. Only do it if you are able to. Help when you have time and are self-sufficient.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.brifki.com
• Instagram: Newzad Brifki
• Facebook: Brifki Property Group
• Linkedin: Newzad Brifki
• Twitter: @brifkinewzad
• Youtube: Newzad Brifki