When we talk about the Chief Executive Officer of an organization, regardless of the fact that it is a one-person company, we often talk the corporate talk that fits the suit. It’s the startup and the hard working, young men and women who move mountains to make that contract or sign the million dollar deal. And often while focusing on the suit, we tend to ignore a whole segment of leaders who manage their business as a natural extension of what they were meant to do.

If you look at the enrollment rate of women into engineering programs across universities in Pakistan, the numbers are actually higher than they are for men. Unfortunately we’re losing this trained, skilled HR because of several reasons. Could be societal pressures or something else, but few women make it into the workforce. And if they make it that far, even fewer make it up the hierarchy into the decision-making positions.

In the midst of so many challenges, technology and New Media are actually opening up opportunities for people from all walks of life to be able to establish work that runs on their own terms. Call it the Self-CEO or the one-man show, these opportunities allow people to service niche verticals and generate a supporting income for their homes. A perfect combination when it comes to not having to compromise the home neither the career. And that’s what makes the story of Maryam Nasim so great.

“I am a work-at-home mom and provide services to several clients across the globe as a digital illustrator for the web and print media. I am also a 2D cartoon animator for web and television.” Maryam has been working as a ‘freelance illustrator animator’ for more than 6 years where she began her career as a student, continued it on after her marriage and is still going strong now that she is a mother.

A Masters degree in Fine Arts and majoring in Painting, she has professional training in oil paintings and portraits. “What I find most interesting is that my studies had little to do with what my career is right now.” Like most Chief Executive Officers, Maryam has a diverse background which makes her work more rich and complete. One of the most defining characteristics of the leader of an organization is the amount of market savvy and exposure he may have. Maryam obviously fits the description well.

Maryam is digitally empowered because she offers her services through her website, maryamnasim.com. “I think internet is magical. I have made some of my best friends over the internet. I use it for my work, entertainment and everything else I need for information. My work structure would be entirely different if I did not have access to the web like I do. I remember in my school days, when internet was not so accessible and common, I once wrote to Disney studios to guide me about becoming an animator. It took two months to get a response from them. Internet made the communication so fast paced.

If I did not have internet access, I might have been doing some 9-to-5 job or something entirely different business – perhaps excelled as a painter.” But engaging in business transactions might not have been possible for her.

“My main focus is the North American market.  Individuals or companies who are seeking good work at affordable rates get in touch with me. Fortunately I always get repeat business and clients tend to offer me other assignments once I start work for them. Competitive rates, quality assurance and commitment are the main elements that help me generate repeat business.”

Maryam knows her work. Everything else is something she has learned to make her workstyle possible. “All the technology I use for my online work is self taught. I read a lot, spent a lot of time on online tutorials and practiced until I get it right!”

But why didn’t the talented young Maryam want to actually get a job? It would have certainly been more stable from the onset. “I never liked the idea of going out and getting a job. I was initially busy with my studies and by the time I got done, I had gotten married and the circumstances didn’t allow me to work. As a mother, I want to spend time with my child and I don’t think a nanny or anyone else can look after her the way I can. Working at home provides me the best opportunity of taking care of my baby as well as concentrating on my own career.”

Maryam has set her own work timings and works at her convenience. “I can keep working without neglecting my household responsibilities. In fact, I mostly work when my daughter is asleep.”

Getting it Started
Every idea has to start somewhere. However by the time we realize that it really works, we’ve forgotten when we actually started thinking about it! But for a few of us, the decision to take the leap off the cliff, is usually a milestone we can’t forget. Maryam laughs and says, “It is hard to say how I got initial idea for providing services remotely. It started when I was working for a local greeting card company and couldn’t visit their office frequently.

We came to a solution that I’ll work at home and send them the files via email. I later learned that many companies provide offshore services and there is a huge market abroad for the cartoon illustrations and animations.”

“I actually started working for a local company soon after joining the College of Art and Design (Punjab University, Lahore). I got my first paid client within few days after I started seeking work. Digital illustrators were not so common at that time so I got a real good response from the company I contacted.”

Already working with the local market, she planned to pitch in to the international market after establishing her portfolio and experience. “It took me a couple of months to make my sample portfolio and researching about market and clients.”

Maryam googled her way to understanding how outsourcing and offshoring worked, and found her way into the international market. “It was also pretty intuitive since I didn’t have a model of outsourcing to follow. I did what felt right.”

What works in Maryam’s favor is her incredible dedication and focus. “I believed that if I continue to work hard, I’ll eventually breakthrough to the international market as our local software houses do.” Working from a home environment isn’t the easiest thing. There are distractions and unsupportive elements which almost always take priority over any work you might want to do. “My mother was happy with the thought that I am staying busy with work. In fact my father and eldest brother have always believed that I’ll get what I am aiming for.”

But motivation is a rare commodity to come by. “I am actually a very motivated person. I got good grades, held positions and scholarships throughout my life as a student.” But not everyone is like Maryam. To run an organization, you have to maintain a great deal of focus and attention. The will to work, has to remain alive.

“Consistency of attitude, firm commitment and quality assurance are the main elements that helped me keeping the idea and concept of my business alive. I have always got positive feedback.”

Working from home is different in many ways from having a 9-5 job. I face many challenges as well. I feel emotionally dissatisfied and annoyed when people don’t take my work seriously or consider you ‘just keep busy’. As you stay at home 24/7 people begin to think that you are always available, when such is not the case.”

And then there is the whole social welfare of being in an office space. “I work in isolation and experience social starvation since distributing the time between work, home and my child seldom leaves room for social activities. Having a workplace to go, regardless of how limited, helps this in a great way. The biggest drawbacks of working at home are the distractions I face, especially at the times when my work demands concentration and complete attention.”

Just like any other visionary, Maryam wants to grow her business. “I am doing the most I can as an individual but providing more work is beyond my capacity. However in order to expand, I will need to find more professionals willing to join me, but even that will take a while. My primary responsibility of being a housewife and a mother takes precedence. I will wait until my daughter grows older and is independent enough for me to completely concentrate on my work and further polish my professional skills. As an individual business owner, Maryam expresses the need to have access to a platform which can help with business challenges. “I seek help from some friends but an association or group that has a proper structure and setup will certainly help. At the moment, however, I am satisfied with the small business I am running because I have managed to get great output with the nominal investment.”

And words of wisdom which Maryam may want to share? “I think one should not waste one’s skills and education by giving into circumstances and not working at all. There is always a way to do something valuable. It is critical that we stay organized, focused and determined to achieve our goals.”

Lessons for Being CEO
Here are a few more lessons to be learned about being CEO. Be patient! Develop your track record in your own market because one of the first question international clients will bombard you with is, why you haven’t worked in your own market. The domestic market can be challenging since the dynamics don’t always align themselves with the global opportunities or standards, but you need the exposure – so use it!

Make a niche offering. Like Maryam, if you have a niche product or service to sell, it will work. There are too many ‘jacks of all trades’ but people are looking to get the most out of the money they pay. If you are a smaller set up, stick to the niche. Everyone who is all about diversification is there because they are a lot larger than you.

Follow your instinct. If you’ve had the experience and the interaction and some requisite exposure, then follow your gut. You know your business and your market better than anyone else. Do what feels right.

If you would like to contact Maryam, please visit her website at: maryamnasim.com or email her at maryam@maryamnasim.com

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