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Mum fills gap in market with launch of ‘Asian-style Amazon’
Fozia Naseem
MOTHER of five Fozia Naseem is launching an online marketplace selling Asian products and services.
Miss Naseem, from Bradford, is behind a new website called Khanbazaar.com, which is due to go live in a couple of weeks.
She described the site as “an Asian-style Amazon”, adding that she noticed a gap in the market for a website showcasing products and services to the Asian community.
The website will have three main areas: the first will include bridal outfits, party outfits, shoes and accessories; the second will be service orientated with make-up artists, photographers and DJs featuring; and the third will be for new businesses.
Miss Naseem worked for 10 years as a PR and events manager in the retail division for charity Help the Aged as it was formerly known, before taking voluntary redundancy seven years ago.
She then pursued some photography and did some work as a make-up artist while bringing up her children. She said: “I’ve been thinking about it for a long time but because the children have been really young it’s not been possible.
“Now my youngest is at an age where I can break away. It was make or break for me. My children range from seven to 17 and although they are still a handful I felt that now was the only time to turn my dream into an e-retail reality.”
Khan Bazaar does not charge for businesses to be listed on its site, but takes commission from products sold.
Miss Naseem approached Bradford Council’s high-growth enterprise programme, Rising Stars, for advice.
Business services manager Carolyn Coleman said: “The beauty of Khan Bazaar is that retailers or service providers do not have to invest in a costly website to promote themselves. Fozia has a business plan that not only fills a gap in the market but will also have a ripple affect on hundreds of businesses which is the perfect high growth company that we are looking to support.”
Coun David Green, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration and economy, said: “The Rising Stars programme is aimed at companies capable of achieving sustainable high growth to benefit the local economy and Khan Bazaar has that potential.
“This adds to the strong range of businesses aimed at the Asian market based within the Bradford district and offers companies a chance to reach a global audience.”
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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