In this episode of Built to Last, Colby and Levi sit down with Afan Chowdhury, an entrepreneur, marketer, and the founder of Notionhive, a digital agency based in Bangladesh. Afan shares his unique journey from Bangladesh to North America, explaining how he navigated business culture shifts between countries and industries.

Afan’s story is full of valuable insights on building relationships, embracing vulnerability, and balancing business growth with personal well-being. From adapting to Canadian business culture to building strong networks and navigating the challenges of running a global business, Afan’s perspective offers a fresh view on entrepreneurial success.

If you're navigating change, especially across cultures or industries, this episode is a must-listen. Afan’s journey will inspire anyone looking to scale thoughtfully and authentically.

Connect with Affan https://www.linkedin.com/in/affanmahmud/

Shownotes:

01:00 | Introduction to Afan

• Afan’s background and journey from Bangladesh to Canada.

03:00 | Moving to North America

• Reasons behind the migration to Canada.
• Exposure to North American business practices and lifestyle.

06:00 | Business Culture in Different Regions

• Key differences in business cultures between the US, Canada, and Bangladesh.

09:30 | Building Relationships through Networking

• Afan’s approach to networking in Canada through events like Meetup.

12:00 | Vulnerability in Business

• Power of being vulnerable and transparent with clients.

16:00 | Overcoming Slow Periods in Business

• How Afan fills his pipeline during slow sales periods.

20:00 | Handling Change and Growth

• Lessons learned from managing growth in different regions.

24:00 | Health and Entrepreneurship

• Importance of maintaining physical and mental health as an entrepreneur.

28:00 | Productizing Your Service

• Why productization is key to scaling.

33:00 | Finding Consistency in Business

• The role of consistency in business and health.

36:00 | Building a Sustainable Business Model

• Diversification to keep businesses stable.

40:00 | The Importance of Giving Back

• The impact of giving back on the entrepreneurial community.

45:00 | Navigating Difficult Conversations

• How Afan approaches tough conversations with clients and partners.
• Balancing honesty with diplomacy.

49:00 | The Future of Business and AI

• Afan’s thoughts on the role of AI in business.
• How businesses can adapt to AI-driven changes.

53:00 | Wrapping Up: Final Thoughts

• Reflections on Afan’s journey and approach to life and business.

1:06:00 | The Changing Role of AI in Business

• How AI impacts service-based businesses and what it means for long-term strategy.
• Future opportunities in AI for entrepreneurs.

1:06:00 | Balancing Ambition with Realism

• Discussing the balance between ambition and the reality of growing businesses.

1:16:00 | Creating a Healthy Business Environment

• The importance of building a company culture that prioritizes mental and physical well-being.

1:20:00 | Looking Ahead: Future Goals and Growth

• Afan’s vision for his business and the new markets he’s exploring.