Ambreen Khan, Founder & CEO at MeatoDoor, on entrepreneurship and idea validation

Ambreen Khan is Founder & CEO at MeatoDoor. Meat is the largest traded food category in the Middle East by value and by volume. Yet, the $40 billion meat market remains totally underserved. MeatoDoor is building a global meat supply chain platform that enables small and medium enterprises to source their meats from verified global suppliers as well as distribute meats in the local markets.

How was the idea of MeatoDoor born?

I faced a gap on the market as a consumer trying to find good quality meats. One day, we organised a barbecue night and expected guests. Meat that we ordered was not delivered on time, marination could not happen. That night was an on-the-spot validation of the market gap that made me pe deep into the meat industry with a goal to serve consumers with good-quality meat.

How did you test your idea?

At first, I spoke with family, friends and people in the neighbourhood. These conversations brought us early customers. I started with aggregating more than 50 butchers, bringing them onto the platform, digitizing them, offering them marketing solutions as well as hygienic packaging to serve their customers. That's how MeatoDoor was launched as a B2C application.

However, we aimed to move higher up in the supply chain, to be able to have full control over the quality. Therefore, very early on, we pivoted to serving businesses. Most of the meats are consumed in the B2B space which promised much more potential to us.
Since then, we have been serving businesses in the UAE and are now expanding globally. So far, we have established five trade lines between the UAE, India, Kenya, Pakistan, Brazil, and Australia.

Beyond validating an idea, what else should an aspiring entrepreneur consider?

If you have an idea, it's very important to do the initial research. You'll need to understand the market size, your target customers, the problem are you trying to address, as well as identify potential competitors. How can you build your product differently? Can you manage your finances? What are the risks? And are you able to take that risk? Figure out these points before you embark on a journey of building a business.

What is the most inspiring thing about entrepreneurship?

Entrepreneurs are innovators. They are the ones who drive change and make an impact. For me, the most inspiring thing about building a startup is about the learning curve. As a founder, I have experienced an incredible amount of learning in the past one year, as opposed to what I would have probably got in any corporate environment.

What helps founders to stay committed to their business despite all the hardships?

It's passion. And to keep that passion alive, I recommend to find a source of energy that would support you every morning when you wake up. You will have hundreds of reasons to give up. And you need that one reason to keep you dedicated throughout your journey.

For me, it was about my personal growth. I am a dreamer. I imagined a best version of myself, and every day I wake up with that person in mind. I look up to this person and it keeps me going despite all the challenges.
I had an idea and I'm making it come true. You can do it, too. Don't let your fears limit you. Just be fearless and take that leap. Go for it.