Real art contains so much depth.
The gents at Artz-I Islamic Gallery in Bradford shared some interesting thoughts about this particular piece created with a knife.
Artists may have historically struggled to make a living from their work.
The creator economy we have today changes all of that.
You can legitimately make a living income from your work, whether that’s paintings, music or whatever else.
This is the part of social media way more people need to tap into.
It doesn’t mean it’s easy.
But the path is there.
Create art.
Document the journey online.
Sell.
Not every side hustle, project or business needs to be AI, tech, professional services, food and the usual things people go into.
If you were not held back by your job, what creative hobby would you spend your time on?
One of my regrets was never starting to learn the violin even though I loved the sound of it.
https://blossom.primal.net/98c13d3ac3c86de012e80b0ac854056d2188da304a3fc5ca405effedaa88af98.mov
Smashed out last gym session of 2025.
I thought the gym would be empty. It was not.
Great to see.
Strong finish to the year gym-wise. Need to maintain for the whole of next year.
Unlike most, I’m still very positive and optimistic about the UK, espesh because of the people I now come across working hard and making things happen.
Wishing you all a happy new year.
https://blossom.primal.net/b73f2cfb13dc75a87803d5a189501d751cdf59928fca50a75c89e11335329386.mov
Whether people like to admit it or not, this is the biggest thing holding them back.
Don’t let that be you.
Make 2026 the year you stop caring what people think.
Get after it.
https://blossom.primal.net/f924acd4ead97be2a3683eedc012e6535553eb19f51d04b88cfc53b796b5325c.mov
🗣️It’s New Year’s Eve, let’s take a day off.
Nah, let’s send out one more email.
Let’s send out one more post.
Truth be told, I wasn’t feeling it.
I was in the new year’s holiday mode.
But also knew it was the best time to send out another push, esp. with the early bird discount ending.
And voila, the signups have been comin’ in.
Still a few hours left for you to be part of the smart crew, and grab your early bird ticket before it’s too late.
Crazy to think Batley Entrepreneurship Club started with 3 people turning up on the first meeting.
Now we gather crowds of 100+ alhamdulillah.
Much work to do however, we’re nowhere near where we want to be, but the foundation has been laid this year to build upon in 2026 and beyond iA.
Howevahh, it’s gona be an extravaganza in Batlehh next month:
BEC - Building Global Ventures
📅 Friday 30th January 2026
🕕 6pm
🏫 Batley Town Hall
So get yourself registered:
https://batleyentrepreneurshipclub.com/events/building-global-ventures
Today isn’t just the last day of the year.
It’s the last day to cop your early bird ticket for the greatest event happening in the greatest town next month 😁
Batley Entrepreneurship Club - Building Global Ventures
📅 Friday 30th January 2026
🕕 6pm
🏫 Batley Town Hall
Link to register:
https://batleyentrepreneurshipclub.com/events/building-global-ventures
Ohh and happy new year 🥳
I’m still relatively new and inexperienced when it comes to organising events.
The first one in July got great feedback, but I was stressed before, during and after.
Truth be told, I was actually vexed after…so many things went wrong.
Second time around, with experience now, I expected things to go wrong. Or at least not the way I wanted them.
So when they weren’t going right, I wasn’t that bothered.
The thinking was “yeah these things happen at events, nowt you can do about it other than go with the flow and try to improve next time”
Now with this 3rd one, I’m quite chilled, maybe too chilled.
But then again, the previous two were planned and organised within 3 weeks; quite mad when you think about it.
This one has been organised a couple of months ahead, but also using a familiar pattern from before, and tweaking bits around.
I’m sure things won’t go exactly as planned, but overall it will work out iA.
Nevertheless, here’s another image of AI dressing me up on stage…I’m not quite sold on the boots 😂
Anyhow, the early bird tickets expire in 2 days time.
So get yourself registered.
Batley Entrepreneurship Club presents: Building Global Ventures
📅 Friday 30th January 2026
🕕 6pm
🏫 Batley Town Hall
Link:
https://batleyentrepreneurshipclub.com/events/building-global-ventures
Had a good time at the Artz-I Islamic Art Gallery in Bradford last week.
An event organised by Emerald Network and Rooful Ali.
So much history, culture and heritage contained within art, something we need to focus on in this AI age.
Had a really good conversation with the owners, so many wonderful initiatives to have when it comes to art and artists.
Always good catching up with Amrein N and Mohammed Pakwashee.
https://blossom.primal.net/8300e1c5899fdb3320d0a7ab6ed3f47a1b2282237c32ec009b534747d7e1cd2c.mov
Sum’body must’ve given my “evil-eye” when posting that AI-generated muscle pic the other day….
…tweaked my back today, after a solid gym session, picking up my youngest😭😁
So here’s another AI-generated pic, this time of how I should dress better.
What y’all think of this fit? Does it suit me?!
Whilst my back is in recovery and whilst I continue taking fashion tips from AI, make sure you do one thing…
…register for a spectacular night happening in Batley next month:
📆 Friday 30 January 2026
⏰ 18:00
🏫 Batley Town Hall
The early bird tickets expire at the end of this year, so just a few days left:
https://batleyentrepreneurshipclub.com/events/building-global-ventures
How to get pumped without any effort:
Step 1 - upload picture
Step 2 - prompt AI to make you look muscular
Step 3 - flex online 😁
Tbh, this is what I feel I need to look like to fit in with the two tanks on stage next month 😂
Well it’s not happening by next month, but iA if I keep consistent with the gym, maybe next year 💪🏽
Ended the year well, been to the gym consistently for the last 16 weeks. Need to make sure it continues all of next year.
Anyhow, to see me “flex” on stage next month, at the exclusive Building Global Ventures Batley Entrepreneurship Club event, make sure you register.
The early bird tickets are expiring next week:
📆 Friday 30 January 2026
⏰ 18:00
🏫 Batley Town Hall
https://batleyentrepreneurshipclub.com/events/building-global-ventures
Scary truth: the constant whinging, moaning and complaining is making the UK, and towns like Batley, feel worse than it actually is.
So much so that, bitchin’ has become a monster.
It’s one of the biggest Minotaurs we’re facing right now.
And honestly, it’s exhausting.
I’m just starting to zone out as soon as I sense negativity.
However, I think we need to go one step further and call upon a Slayer to vanquish this miserable-mentality.
Enter, The Bitcher 🐺
A Batflix Original. 😂
Some will say this is AI, they livin’ in fantasy land.
Either way, the first slayin’ is happening soon:
📆 Friday 30 January 2026
⏰ 18:00
🏫 Batley Town Hall
You know you want to be there, so register:
https://batleyentrepreneurshipclub.com/events/building-global-ventures
Batley Entrepreneurship Club Workshop - Content & Personal Branding
Turn What You Know Into Visibility, Trust, and Opportunities.
A practical workshop for beginners who want to build visibility, confidence, and opportunities using content; without pretending to be influencers.
We’ll break down content and personal branding in a simple, beginner-friendly way and focus on clarity, confidence, and consistency.
By the end of the workshop, you will:
🌟 Understand what personal branding actually is (and what it isn’t)
🌟 Learn how content creates trust, credibility, and opportunities
🌟 Clarify what you should talk about based on your skills and experience
🌟 Learn what type of content to create as a beginner
🌟 Learn where to post and why (without trying to be everywhere)
🌟 Overcome fear of posting and being visible
🌟 Create a simple content framework you can stick to
🌟 Leave with a 14-day content action plan
No editing skills. No fancy equipment. No influencer mindset needed.
This workshop is straightforward, practical and beginner-friendly.
📍 Location: Online
📅 Date: Saturday 27 December
⏰ Time: 18:30
🎟 Tickets: Free for BEC Members (limited to 20) - Register here:
Huge shout out and thanks to the supporters and sponsors:
- West Yorkshire Combined Authority
- Moduliv Limited
#WhereOpportunityLives
Batley’s in the Christmas spirit.
Even Batley Town Hall is lit up.
It’s certainly going to be lit on 30 January 2026 when we have the next Batley Entrepreneurship Club main event.
Get yourself registered because it’s going to be a biggie.
https://batleyentrepreneurshipclub.com/events/building-global-ventures
https://blossom.primal.net/5b7bc4b244ba5df2d8c554ba1435990f0f5024582209db8b2f0a18b94047b3a2.mov
Highlights of our night out at the Callum Simpson v Troy Williamson fight.
https://blossom.primal.net/0662512701145ada57c793f4419b314a6b6ddd189810c349a8ccffd963d1b65c.mov
So we did get the podcast done last night, and I had a great time meeting Ranjha Saab.
In this segment I talk a little about leaving the UK and moving to Saudi, as it’s a frequent topic.
I have a lot of love and respect for what’s happening in Saudi, the energy, the vibe, the buzz, the ambition, the opportunity…
…it’s brilliant.
BUT, and this is a huge but, if you think it’s going to be easy, that you’re just going to roll up over there and your life is going to become easy you’re in for a rude awakening.
And this is the major problem I see with people wanting to leave the UK.
The intention isn’t really to go, be uncomfortable, get stuck in with the graft, work really hard and build a new life.
It’s more like, things are getting bad here, let me go find an easier and more comfortable life somewhere else.
Wrong intention.
Secondly, the clip doesn’t quite capture it, but I mention our parents generation made HUGE sacrifices to build a life for our generation in the UK.
The challenges we face today, imo, are NOTHING compared to what they faced.
To take what they provided through their sacrifices, and effectively throw it away because things are getting a little rocky has an element of ungratefulness for me.
If things are in a decline, which they are, is the response to move or try to do something about it?!
Whatever you decide is a personal choice and a personal matter, therefore not wrong.
So if you want to move, by all means move, but go with the intention that you are going to have to work hard and graft…
…not, it’s going to be easy and comfortable.
https://blossom.primal.net/38bca9312413d6aa825573291498a2eb3e0d5355c16e8f022825f00fca6e0407.mp4
Batley is becoming the next Wimmiee Road 😂
The food scene has bought Batley back to life.
Banks and traditional shops like Woolworths used to fill the high street, and tbh it was really good and vibrant back then.
Market conditions changed, going online had a huge impact on brick and mortar - most things closed down.
Like a lot of towns, it started to become dry - but then the food scene kick-started its resurgence.
Now there are so many choices - too many according to some people.
Whilst that is good, there are now starting to become too many SIMILAR choices, albeit variety is now starting to be added.
Then next step up, however, is creating more, different types of businesses.
No point having a lot of food places if there isn’t enough footfall from people working.
Just some of the things Batley town centre (or the surrounding) could do with more of:
- Professional service firms (legal, accounts, wealth, brokers etc)
- Marketing companies
- High end podcast / content / creative studio
- Gaming centre
- Co-working space
- Tech & IT services
- Training & education hubs
- Health & wellbeing services (private clinics)
- Recruitment & talent agencies
- Property & real-estate services
- Event, culture & experience spaces
- VC / investment hub
Even a proper high-class bed showroom factory in Dewsbury was a great idea suggested by Omar Bhamji.
Dewsbury is the bed factory capital of the UK - where’s the landmark piece to attract the international community to visit?!
If food brings people in…
…businesses keep them there.
Careers, companies and capital are what create a vibrant future.
On 30 January, we don’t just have 2 very high level entrepreneurial speakers coming…
…a high level business crowd is gathering from across the country.
The above are the types of conversations and connections that need to be happening during the open networking session.
Make sure you’re there by registering:
📆 Friday 30 January 2026
⏰ 18:00
🏫 Batley Town Hall
https://batleyentrepreneurshipclub.com/events/building-global-ventures
Content is like seeds.
I posted about this the other day: you just have to keep planting, rather than seeing content as a transaction.
Eventually they’ll sprout in the future.
Prime example was the 2 DM exchange I had with Ranjha Saab on TikTok.
We swapped numbers, I got invited to his house - which is just crazy when you consider it was a couple of DMs.
But the truth is, it wasn’t. It was months of seeds being planted with the consistent content I saw from him.
I already feel like I know, like and trust him, and that we’re going to get along well based off of seeing that content.
Which is the whole point of playing the long game, and being yourself online.
It becomes infinitely easier to connect with people.
Looking forward to recording this kick-ass podcast tomorrow 💪🏽
https://blossom.primal.net/edd04d239bae2f25578d4950b8c413854194fcc01f4dfdf1e33ee7a3f85eefcf.mov
This new LinkedIn year in review thingy is going to do one thing and one thing only…
…new self-proclaimed ego-look-at-me-buy-my-LinkedIn-course headline title unlocked:
“I’m a 1% LinkedIn inflooansahhh”
I’ve been less active on LinkedIn this year compared to last, if I’m top 5% it really means diddly squat.
Anyway LI, don’t be sending me these reels, where’s my LinkedIn-inflooansahh trophy?! 🏆
Yoo it’s goin’ down in Batlehhh.
We’ve literally got more people coming from outside than inside Batley:
- Milton Keynes
- Slough
- Northamptonshire
- Birmingham
- Solihull
- Nottingham
- Stoke
- Manchester
- Sheffield
- Leeds
- Bradford
- Huddersfield
- Halifax
- Mirfield
So much so we’re actually quite light on the Batley/Dewsbury side 😂.
These local geezers are gonna sign up last minute, which is the usual.
By then it might be too late, certainty for the early bird tickets.
I haven’t even gone into full promotion mode yet, with it being 6 weeks away.
Just a reminder, Batley Town Hall is limited in number.
The early bird tickets are even more limited, espesh considering how many have gone already.
Don’t slouch, register now:
📆 Friday 30 January 2026
⏰ 18:00
🏫 Batley Town Hall
https://batleyentrepreneurshipclub.com/events/building-global-ventures
Thanks for the message. I actually agree with that.
I think that line doesn’t have the context in this post. It was more for those in my community and those saying “there’s no opportunities out there”
But they’re not going out, speaking to people, putting out content - doing nothing. That message was for those people, if you want opportunities to come to you, you need to make effort to get out there and get known.
If you already know what you’re doing, and have picked a path, then 💯- go all in on that and optimise.
🙏🏽
💥 Official speaker announcement: From local roots to global operations...
...Batley Entrepreneurship Club welcomes Yousif Aslam.
Co-Founder and Managing Director of Heavenly Desserts.
The title of this talk is:
Local Foundations. Global Operations.
Heavenly’s Zero-to-Sixty Trajectory.
Yousif's story will resonate with a lot of people.
His father, like mine, was a taxi driver: a generation that legit struggled with hard graft to give the following gen. a platform to excel.
I think it's safe to say Yousif did take that platform, continued the graft, to excel:
Heavenly Desserts opened in 2008 from local roots & humble beginnings in the Midlands - when we had a financial crisis.
For 2 years, in his own words, it was "dead" - but eventually the brand, reputation and culture began to grow.
They now have a whoppin' 60+ locations across the UK (including BATLEY); and 4 internationally with more due to open soon, including Canada, Germany, Pakistan & India.
Aside from Heavenly Desserts, Yousif sat alongside Lord Sugar as a guest panellist on the BBC's Apprentice Final.
Yousif represents a masterclass in patience, discipline and getting the foundations right before scaling...
...making this talk invaluable for people across the spectrum on their business journeys.
You just want to be there:
📆 Friday 30 January 2026
⏰ 18:00
🏫 Batley Town Hall
Tickets are limited, secure yours here:
https://batleyentrepreneurshipclub.com/events/building-global-ventures
Shout out to the supporters and sponsors for this event:
- West Yorkshire Combined Authority
- Chaiiwala Batley
- Moduliv Limited
This is Batlehh, where things happen!
#WhereOpportunityLives
Met the Barnsley-Bull Batley-Badman himself today 😁
Callum Simpson is a true gentleman.
Great character, down to earth, a proper model professional.
I picked up the tickets for me and my kids; we’re looking forward to his title defence fight.
With just 9 days to go, he did not have to accommodate this meeting to personally hand over the tickets…
…just a testament to the type of person he is.
Good energy radiating off him, he is looking ready to defend his title!
Wouldn’t be me if I didn’t incept the idea of having him on a Batley stage in the future, but before that, the big fight is coming:
📆 Saturday 20 December
⏰ 5pm
🏟️ Leeds First Direct Arena
Very few tickets still remain, so get yourself down there.
The Barnsley crowd will be out in numbers; the Batley crowd needs to be out as well considerin’ Callum trains, and therefore is reppin’ Dickies Gym in Batley.
🎟️ link below:
https://www.tixr.com/groups/boxxer/events/boxxer-presents-fight-night-simpson-vs-williamson-167614
Chiming in on the Mo Salah Liverpool situation…
…or is it?!
You’ll never walk alone here:
https://batleyentrepreneurshipclub.com/events/building-global-ventures
https://blossom.primal.net/ebc2d6b8dd14d6a6151e89f15416f3811edadb1ac387993f84b694e48d2e2984.mov
🌍 Batley Entrepreneurship Club Presents: Building Global Ventures 🌍
Two entrepreneurial tanks in Batley:
💥 Azam Jaafri
💥 Yousif Aslam
To get one of them is a coup.
To get both on the same night is different levels.
This event is going to be electric:
📆 Friday 30 January 2026
⏰ 18:00
🏫 Batley Town Hall
Limited Early Bird tickets now available:
https://batleyentrepreneurshipclub.com/events/building-global-ventures
This is Batlehh, where things happen!
Huge thanks to the sponsors and supporters:
- West Yorkshire Combined Authority
- Chaiiwala Batley
- Moduliv Limited
#WhereOpportunityLives
https://blossom.primal.net/35b1508d1748860c4afabae4b7224e3178b0a989b5e600f49be4b17380e5a240.mov
When you get started you need the most help, but don’t have the resources to pay for it.
Making this Batley Entrepreneurship Club workshop a must attend.
📍 Location: Online (Followed by a meet-up at a local coffee shop)
📅 Date: Friday 5 December
⏰ Time: 18:00
🎟 Tickets: Free for BEC Members
Step 1 - Become a member by registering here:
https://batleyentrepreneurshipclub.com/join
Step 2. Once registered, you’ll receive a Welcome email with a link to join the Private WhatsApp Group.
Step 3 - Join the whatsapp group where you’ll get details and link about the workshop.
Step 4 - Join the workshop on Friday.
https://blossom.primal.net/ab24c372eda1488335968f496e901e599a24cc26222461dde6f412e63fe64067.mov
Business idea: Book a chauffeur driven vehicle for long drives BUT, fill the vehicle with people discussing bizzness.
Kinda like networking on the road.
Few weeks ago I made videos about the horrible traffic in and out of Manchester - I find driving such a waste of time.
Yeah you can do calls whilst driving, but it’s not the same as being in a luxury vehicle physically with others whom you then connect with on a deeper level, discuss various things, and still have the time to do other bits on your phone/laptop.
One of you needs to run with this idea: “we don’t just get you chauffeur driven, we get you chauffeur driven with strategic passengers.”
Anyhow, that’s not what this trip was about. This was about Nasar Hussain and Waj Arif’s great work with Islamic Relief.
I was lucky enough to be invited along to something that turned into a great experience all around on multiple fronts.
Couldn’t therefore not do a video for Luxe Executive Travel, Waj’s very own Chauffeur Driven business.
Maybe he’ll run with the networking on the road idea. 😁
https://blossom.primal.net/e531c379a84711c98ea76c85dd63b5cadcf205a4f115446af6e849ef9d9906f6.mov
I’m going to be sharing the stage with two absolute tanks in January iA…
…my current average of gym 3x a week might not be enough to stop me looking like a dweeb in comparison 😂
Jokes aside, it’s been a struggle trying to maintain a gym routine whilst parenting 3 kids and building an unusual project which has so many moving parts to it.
Only now about 3 months later am I starting to feel good.
They say starting is the hardest part, which just isn’t true.
Starting is easy.
Carrying on when you’re not seeing or feeling the results is the hard part.
This especially applies to building a project, business or side hustle.
So many get excited at the start, jump in, then stall when realising how hard and slow it is - espesh when you can’t tangibly see the progress being made
That’s just the price of admission - so keep going.
For now, keep an eye out for the official announcements about the 30 January Batley Entrepreneurship Club event…
…and get to the gym.
https://blossom.primal.net/c47188382fa31d50a5747fc86ce63f98340175c905567e9058bf2e10d035eefd.mov
