Unilever Pakistan organized the panel talk, “The Entrepreneur in You” in collaboration with the LUMS Entrepreneurial Society (LES). LES, a pioneering student-run organization, has been dedicated to enhancing the entrepreneurial landscape by equipping young individuals with the key competencies needed to succeed as entrepreneurs This event aimed to assist budding and aspiring entrepreneurs in understanding the business landscape, identifying emerging sectors, and learning from three seasoned professionals about navigating this space, including the dos and don’ts. Through this collaboration, Unilever Pakistan reinforced its commitment to nurturing entrepreneurial spirit by bringing together highly reputed panelists to share their insights and inspire the next generation of innovators.
Munir Hassan, Country Head for Customer Development at Unilever Pakistan, shared his inspiring career journey during the discussion. A Computer Science graduate from LUMS, Munir began his career as a Management Trainee at Unilever and, over two decades, rose to a leadership role, gaining global experience, including a stint at the company’s Global HQ in Amsterdam. He shared insights from his diverse experiences, highlighting the transition between Marketing and Customer Development roles. Munir discussed Unilever’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship within a structured corporate environment and emphasized the company’s initiatives to align with modern technological trends and engage Gen Z audiences. Drawing from his journey, he underlined the importance of adaptability, problem-solving, and perseverance, encouraging students to cultivate a strong personal narrative and take ownership of their growth by embracing challenges as opportunities for innovation.
Ismail, a proud LUMS alumnus and a familiar face from Shark Tank Pakistan, received a warm reception from the audience, who cheered and applauded upon recognizing his presence. During his talk, he reflected on his time at LUMS and shared insights on the transformative power of entrepreneurship. He encouraged students to pursue their passions, emphasizing the importance of networking and actively seeking opportunities to grow. Ismail also highlighted the value of stepping outside one’s comfort zone, noting that it is often in those challenging moments where maximum personal and professional growth occurs.
Shershah Hassan, a LUMS graduate and Founder of KalPay, shared how he built a platform to provide financial access to underserved communities, from seniors denied credit to order bookers needing assistance to sustain their livelihoods. He talked about overcoming his reluctance to speak in class at LUMS, managing his own expenses from the age of 18, and launching three startups by the age of 22, with KalPay starting as a senior-year project. He emphasized the importance of perseverance and resilience in entrepreneurship, noting that setbacks are inevitable. To keep going and continue trying, you need to be passionate about the problem you’re solving. Shershah emphasized how these experiences shaped his resilience, confidence, and empathy, driving his mission to create meaningful impact.
