Episode 3

From the Sulaymaniyah bazaar to Dubai and China

Kurda Ma'ruf

Kurda Ma'ruf grew up in his father's shop in the Sulaymaniyah bazaar, sold fabric on his own, then traded through Duhok, Zakho, Dubai and China before coming home. Missing out on a government job turned out to be the opening.

Chapters (44)

0:00Start 1:10Where does the name Kurda come from?3:04Childhood 4:50Apprenticeship and trading as a child 9:56Education 10:20Trading as a child 12:20Sponsor 12:45Why education matters 13:50The value of being good with your hands 15:50Working smart 16:40How I worked with my father 17:40Why your surroundings matter 19:50Partnership 25:47University life 27:20First job after university: charity work 31:00A story from the hard times 34:00First professional job: Ibrahim Khalil customs 35:23Why didn't you start your own business?38:24How do you get ahead at work?40:51Earning an honest living 44:32Work has its price 49:58Setting conditions with an employer 53:47Sponsor 54:13Working in Dubai 57:28Learning, and being ready for work 59:36What was the job in Dubai?1:00:40Coming back from Dubai 1:02:00Marriage 1:03:06Marry early or late?1:04:53Small business and trade 1:07:28Going to China 1:09:20Why didn't you take a government job?1:10:18The best prayer 1:11:18Working in China 1:12:35Life in China 1:14:08Working abroad 1:14:35Bringing goods back from China 1:17:34Talent and research matter in business 1:19:20Setting up a business in Sulaymaniyah 1:20:50Chinese goods are cheaper 1:22:48How do I start my own business?1:25:50The children of Harun al-Rashid 1:27:56What do you regret?1:29:22What matters in business?