I’ve never been to a boxing match - I plan on going to my first one this December. Whilst Callum Simpson hails from Barnsley… …he actually trains in BATLEY! Yep, you read that correctly. That makes him a “Batley Badman” in my book 😂 Espesh with his record of being undefeated in 18 fights, 13 of those knockouts. You’ll actually be surprised by the boxing talent in Batley (I was myself). But that’s a story for another day. For now, if you fancy coming along for this fight in Leeds, hit me up.

Attended my first ever Black Tie event yesterday (yes really). Wasn’t sure what to expect but ended up having a great time. Huge about to Shahrukh Ali and Moinul Islam, not only for the invitation, but looking after me really well all evening. These guys at Ashrock Estates are doing some phenomenal work, with big things to come too iA. Had a brilliant convo throughout the evening, and connected on a deeper level. I’ve been seeing Shahrukh on social media; who also came to the first event we did at Batley Library. But yesterday was the first time really sitting down and speaking - and there were just so many shared values. They also kindly offered to support the Batley Entrepreneurship Club with the plans for next year. As for the event itself, was really insightful and inspiring to see the work that the Parklane Foundation are doing. Met some amazing people, and just further cements the idea that there is so much opportunity and so much good happening in the Northern part of the UK.

Man started by sh** posting on Twitter. Had an alter-ego / pseudonym for his rap career. And then went on to become Mayor of New York due to his social media activity. The key thing to look at here is the date. 5-15 years of social media activity. Some of you try social media for a few weeks/months, get no traction and give up. Social media, used correctly, will 💯 change the trajectory of your life if you intend it to…. …but you have to think in terms of YEARS, not months. Too many have been influenced by the “make money quickly” crowd. You have to understand the marketing principle that gets taught a lot: “Make it sound so easy and so quick that anybody can do it; because if you make it sound hard, nobody will buy” So all of these online courses and programmes get sold using this “tactic” People then sign-on, realise it’s hard and takes time, give up - and that’s why so many courses are considered scams. This is also the reason why we need better role models stepping forward, creating content, and providing realistic insight on what it really takes: - Hard-work - Discipline - Time! Expectations need to be realigned so people starting their side-hustles, projects, businesses understand it is going to take a lot of time. The first part, the hardest part, is getting attention and getting known… …which starts with creating content for a consistent period. Not every post needs to be business-educational - inject your personality, lifestyle, hobbies and interests. Be you first. Build your skillset. Build your network. And then go from there.

Errr’one talking about AI. Nobody talking about quantum computing. If this is what it can do to one of the “securest” technologies in existence; imagine what it can do with everything else. AI combined with quantum computing - we ain’t readeh. Buckle up buttercup, we in for a wild ride… Real world communities and local projects are now more important than ever on so many levels. Continue building online, but take it offline and make it local. BEC is practicin’ what I’m preachin’ Build yourself first Become visible Build your community thereafter Join now:

Batley Entrepreneurship Club

You are NOT just an industry expert. You are a MEDIA company as well. This has been one of my most repeated phrases over the last couple of years. Whomever I speak to, I say this to; whatever the industry: - legal - finance - fitness - medical - food - cars - construction - POLITICS - everything else You are ALSO a media company. And you need to start functioning like a media company. That's how an unheard of young politician named Zohran Mamdani just became Mayor of New York. The content game was flawless. He didn't just function as a politician, he functioned as a media company. And it was the content and media that got him the win. Yet so many industry experts refuse to put out their own media and content; or just dabble in it. You can't do that anymore. You need to set aside time and resources, as if it is a central pillar to your business, profession or project, towards media and content creation. This isn't just for businesses. It's for EVERYONE. Standing out to get a better job in today's market is less CV and more MEDIA. Too many of you are still shackled by shyness, discomfort on camera, afraid of speaking in public... ...and it's denting your chances of some real progress. Don't let that be you. The Minotaur Video Exemplar programme specifically deals with overcoming your fear of speaking on camera, building your media presence and making an impact in the process. DM for more details on the programme.

6 years ago I started my journey of overcoming my fear of speaking. Only people with real shyness, social anxiety and a crippling fear of public speaking will truly understand. Every opportunity I got prior to that, I ran a mile. At one point, albeit long ago, it was so bad I just could not make routine appointment calls to the doctors etc. But not being able to speak is a prison, espesh in a corporate career or when you’re building your own projects When I left the legal world, my first attempts were to make money WITHOUT having to speak to anyone. It just doesn’t work. Or it didn’t for me. And so being able to speak confidently became a priority. Started with: - writing content and blogs - before moving into making videos - followed by podcasting - to now speaking at events When I made that video in 2019, I was just about starting the video journey. Those that were there saw it from day one. 6 years is a long time to get in front of 100+ people, but better late than never. 1000+ is the next step up. However…I see so many trying to build things in the shadows because they won’t confront their fear of speaking. Take it from me, it’s an even bigger uphill battle. It will in fact be easier to just start yapping away. The Minotaur Video Exemplar programme was designed specifically to support you get confident speaking, to then build a brand and make the impact you know you can. Hard to do that if you continue to hide away. DM for more details on how you can become a confident speaking in public machine.

A real buzz of energy in the room, after connecting with great people and businesses. Rosalind Arden shares her thoughts about the Batley Entrepreneurship Club official network launch event. As mentioned, there are lots of cross-overs between Batley and Dewsbury. Whilst the focus has been on Batley, there are lots of hidden gems in Dewsbury too. Currently, the Dewsbury Arcade is going through a multi-million pound transformation. Initiatives like this help “revive and restore long forgotten Northern UK towns” which is another key aim of BEC.

Style, charisma, humour. Nasar Hussain bought the Bradford charm to the Batley audience. Balancing faith, family and fitness with finances in this day and age is a struggle for many. With many online influencers skewing expectations and narratives, it becomes even more important for role models like Nasar to step forward in showcasing how it should be done in reality. Bringing communities together to listen to experts and then network to build real relationships is another key initiative of the Batley Entrepreneurship Club. In a world that will be transformed by AI, in-person communities will become more imperative than ever.

Omar Bhamji knocked it out of the park when speaking on stage. Getting real insight from someone who’s built a $100M+ company is rare in and of itself. Coming from someone based in Batley, is rarer still. The event wasn’t just inspiring for the audience, but for Omar bhai himself to be more engaged and active in the community… …which is one of the key aims of the Batley Entrepreneurship Club. Great role models exist like Omar bhai, more need to step out into the limelight to make an impact on others. This event proved how much it’s needed to have more of these in-person interview styles occasions based upon the feedback that came back from many.

Dr Farooqui shares his experience of the Batley Entrepreneurship Club Official Network Launch event. “In one word: phenomenal” More events like this needed in Batlehh.

Omer Riaz gives his verdict of the Batley Entrepreneurship Club Network Launch Event. Travelled all the way from Manchester (something I appreciate more having been stuck in Manchester traffic this week 😂) Whilst the focus is Batley, the intention is for the Club to become a regional platform for the North of the UK - with people and businesses coming into Batley. Having established businesses and entrepreneurs like Omer come from Manchester is therefore crucial. You don’t expect events like this in Batley - we trying to change that. To be part of the Club and get support in building you project, become a member now:

Batley Entrepreneurship Club

Shout out to my niece, Iqra Faraz, who handled herself really well with the registrations and this interview, both of which she did for the first time.

Some highlights of the Batley Entrepreneurship Club Official Network Launch event. Video highlights will never do justice to the experience on the night. You just had to be there. So make sure you’re at the next one 😁 Here you’ll get a glimpse of the top form Omar Bhamji & Nasar Hussain we’re in. As well as all the other speakers, stall holders and guests as well. Once again, huge shout out to the supporters and sponsors:   - Chaiiwala Batley - The Bakery by Cha Cha Chai - Ashvic Construction - Barkat Catering - West Yorkshire Combined Authority - Zahoor Saharkhar (cameraman)   Now the official launch is over, the real work is just getting started. Get yourself registered to become an official BEC member and join the WhatsApp community:

Batley Entrepreneurship Club

Details of the first workshop to be dropped in due course. This is Batley, where things happen! #WhereOpportunityLives

Traffic to Manchester was horrible, even though set off earlier. Was even worse trying to get out on the way home. Been working from home so long, I forgot how bad traffic made me feel. First world problems. But eurghh, what a waste of life. Part of the whole working culture I hated and left many years ago. If that’s you, and you’re stuck on this rubbish… …time to build some skills to plan your exit: The Minotaur Video Exemplar is the perfect solution to do just that. Send DM to find out how you can escape this dutty traffic 😒

Walking in the streets of Manchester. Decided against driving in search of food today. Managed to be more productive than yesterday. Recorded content. Edited a lot more. Cleared space on phone. Went for a walk finding hidden gems in Manchester. All whilst the eldest trains in football camp. Pretty much been sat in car, working on phone. Not my ideal way of working - but just make do with what you got.

Day 2 in Manchester and I’m loving it! (After the rant about traffic that is…separate video on that to come 😂) The Batley, Manchester, North of the UK maxxin’ continues. Imagine hating living here when you get such a diverse range of scenery (doesn’t apply to just the whether and the settings) Funny thing happens when you see the positives… …you just start seeing more of them. Try it. Fo’ now, we’re Batleyfornia Dreamin’ 😂 OK it’s Manchester, but has a better ring to it than Manchesterfornia

Was reminded today why I chose to go my own path as opposed to the traditional career route… …not sure what it’s like for others, but for me sitting in traffic was a soul killer. One (of the many) elements that made the entire lifestyle suffocating. Work-life balance gets talked about a lot; but how draining and wasteful the commute is doesn’t get nearly enough attention. Let’s hope the rest of the week is better in this regard 😂 Traffic aside, Manchester is a lovely City.

2 days later and I’m still tired! Events take a lot of energy out of you. Adrenaline’s died down, can now constructively assess the event. There’s a high and dopamine overload on the actual night. Then there’s a post-event come down the following day. Today’s just recovery and recharge. Although got in a gym session, as the Friday one was missed doing the final event prep. Been hitting the gym 3x a week for 6 weeks on the trot. Only got in 2 sessions this week. 😒 So much editing to do. So much content in the arsenal now, including this attached image. Just about finding the time to stitch it altogether. Next week I’m in Manchester a lot - got my eldest booked in for football training camp. Won’t have much time to edit, as I’m a desktop guy and everything’s on there. But will have to find a way to be productive. Manchester mutuals, if you’re free between 10am-2pm next week, lezzz connect.

Batleh Town Hall was rockin' last night 💥 So happy with how the Batley Entrepreneurship Club Official Network Launch event turned out, and the feedback received so far. The energy was electric. The numbers came in, with around 125-135 attendees on the night 💪🏽 Guests arrived from as far as Birmingham, Manchester, Preston, Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield, as well as plenty of locals. Cannot thank the guest speakers, Omar Bhamji & Nasar Hussain enough. Not something they've done before, however they were absolutely fabulous & knocked it out of the park. Complete naturals on stage, and phenomenal role models for the community. So many were inspired by their stories & insights. Pleasantly surprised to learn that another role-model, Cas Majid, is in fact originally a local as well! May just be a special guest speaker soon... Huge thanks to the supporters and sponsors:   - Chaiiwala Batley - The Bakery by Cha Cha Chai - Ashvic Construction - Barkat Catering - West Yorkshire Combined Authority To Zahoor Saharkhar for the tireless cameraman skills.   And of course a huge thank you to all the volunteers and guests that arrived. This is Batley, where things happen! And it happened last night! P.S. Also had a great time at the after party at Bison's - yep, managed to make it this time 😀 #WhereOpportunityLives

Can’t actually believe it: 200 breached! Double century hit 🏏💥 Had to readjust the ticket limit capacity before I went to sleep last night, which originally was capped at 200. Have spoken with the council to change the layout of the Hall: Removing tables. Adding more chairs. Theatre style setup allows for a max capacity of 220. Meaning we can add just 16 more spaces 🔥 This really is your absolute last chance of signing up for a night of community and connection: 🚀 The Official Launch: Batley Entrepreneurship Club Network 🚀 📆 Friday 24 October 2025 🕣 Doors open 6pm 📍 Batley Town Hall Register now:

Eventbrite

The Official Launch: Batley Entrepreneurship Club (BEC) Network

Join us for the official launch of the BEC Network: a grassroots community initiative Building Batley Better.

The final night FOMO flurry is in. Didn't think we'd reach the 200 mark, as last couple days have been a bit slow. But this is why you continue to make social media posts and promote. This is why you send out one more email. Let's see if we hit 200 by the time I wake up tomoz. Just 4 left, act now, or regret forevahhh:

Eventbrite

The Official Launch: Batley Entrepreneurship Club (BEC) Network

Join us for the official launch of the BEC Network: a grassroots community initiative Building Batley Better.