I still remember the day I made my first 500 taka online. It was 2010. I was in Khulna, using a shared computer at a local internet cafe. I had just finished a tiny freelance job — fixing a WordPress blog for a client in the US.
500 taka. It felt like a million.
15 years later, I run three businesses, serve 500+ clients worldwide, trade gold professionally, and live in Dhaka. But the journey between those two points was nothing like I expected.
This is the honest story — including the failures.
Phase 1: The Struggle (2009-2012)
I started learning web development in 2009. I had no formal training, no mentor, and no money for courses. Everything I learned came from free YouTube videos, blog posts, and a lot of trial and error.
My first year was brutal:
- Failed 90% of my freelance bids
- Got scammed by fake clients twice
- Almost gave up and went back to a regular job
- Had 3 projects cancelled mid-way
But I kept going. Every failure taught me something. Every rejection made me study harder.
By 2012, I was getting steady freelance work. Small projects — $20, $50, sometimes $100. Not enough to live on, but enough to keep believing.
Phase 2: Going Full Stack (2013-2017)
Around 2015, I realized something important: freelancers who only do one thing get paid less than those who offer complete solutions.
A client who needs a website also needs hosting, SEO, content, and maintenance. If I could offer all of that, I'd be more valuable — and could charge more.
So I learned:
- PHP and MySQL for back-end work
- Advanced WordPress (themes, plugins, custom post types)
- Basic SEO and content strategy
- Server management and hosting setup
By 2017, I was earning 4x what I made in 2012. Still freelancing, but now as a full-stack developer with a real reputation.
Phase 3: Starting the First Business (2018)
In 2018, I founded CyberPros — my first real company. It was still mostly just me, but with a proper brand, website, and business structure.
Why start a company when freelancing was working?
Three reasons:
- Trust — clients trust companies more than individuals
- Scale — I could eventually hire people
- Legacy — I was building something that could last beyond me
CyberPros grew steadily. I started getting bigger projects — full e-commerce stores, custom web apps, and international clients. In 2020, I started offering Amazon FBA services too.
Phase 4: The Second Venture — M/S ASA Enterprise (2015, Formalized 2019)
Actually, the ASA Enterprise story starts earlier. Around 2015, I started helping local people with online government services — passport applications, NID corrections, TIN certificates.
It was a favor business at first. Friends and family asked, I helped, they paid a small fee.
But by 2019, it had grown into something real. Demand was high, and I was turning people away. So I formalized it as M/S ASA Enterprise and brought in a small team to handle the work.
Today, M/S ASA Enterprise helps thousands of Bangladeshi citizens with:
- e-Passport applications
- NID services
- Visa processing
- Land services
- Trade licenses and TIN
- Printing and design
It's a completely different business from web development — but it taught me how to run a service business at scale.
Phase 5: Trading Journey (2022)
In 2022, I decided to learn trading. Not because I was bored — because I wanted a second income stream that didn't depend on trading time for money.
Let me be honest: my first year of trading was a disaster. I lost about 40% of my capital. I was overtrading, over-leveraging, and letting emotions drive decisions.
But I didn't quit. I studied. I journaled every trade. I built my own trading journal software. I treated trading like a discipline, not a gamble.
By 2024, I was consistently profitable. And by 2025, trading had become a meaningful part of my income — and my identity.
Phase 6: The Third Venture — Eco Metal Traders (2024)
This one surprised everyone — including me.
In 2024, a family member approached me about starting a scrap trading business. Iron, copper, plastic, recyclables. It was a physical business — completely different from my tech background.
I was hesitant. What did I know about scrap trading?
But the more I looked into it, the more it made sense:
- Bangladesh has a huge recycling industry
- Demand is steady and growing
- The margins are real if you manage logistics well
- It's a resilient business that doesn't depend on trends
So we founded Eco Metal Traders. And it's been growing steadily ever since.
What I've Learned
Looking back, here are the lessons that mattered most:
1. Skills compound
Every skill I learned — coding, design, SEO, trading, managing teams — built on top of each other. Nothing was wasted.
2. Diversify income
One income stream is a job. Multiple streams are freedom. Today, if any one business has a bad month, the others carry me.
3. Systems beat hustle
You can only hustle for so long. Long-term success comes from building systems that work without you.
4. Reputation is everything
Every client I've ever served well has sent me referrals. Every client I've failed has told others. Reputation compounds — for better or worse.
5. Start before you're ready
I've started every business without feeling fully ready. You learn by doing. Waiting for the perfect moment means waiting forever.
The best time to start was 10 years ago. The second-best time is today.
What's Next
I'm 15 years into this journey, and I feel like I'm just getting started.
The next phase is about:
- Scaling my businesses with proper teams
- Building custom software tools that solve real problems
- Mentoring young entrepreneurs in Bangladesh
- Growing my trading capital responsibly
- Giving back to my community in Khulna
If you're on a similar journey — or just starting one — I'd love to hear from you. Get in touch.
And remember: everyone starts somewhere. The first 500 taka feels like a million. And it should.