Sharing success the best way to enjoy the journey CHAMBER MEMBER OF THE YEAR
Rahim Khudabux MAX FURNITURE
Working together to build good business and great community.
Growing up, Rahim Khudabux knew how to get attention and make people smile. But it was his innate drive to succeed that caught the eye of his business mentor, Al Hasham, owner of Maximum Express Courier, who saw something special in the budding businessman. “I think the one thing that was consistent for me through school was that I was always the class clown,” says Khudabux, owner and manager of Max Furniture. “I think having fun always needs to be part of who I am and what I do.” The combination of determination, ambition and a self-deprecating sense of humour has worked well for Khudabux, earning him the honour of being the 2020 Chamber Member of the Year. “It’s a huge honour because The Chamber has done so much for me,” he says, thanking current Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce chair John Wilson for nominating him for the award. Khudabux met Wilson through The Chamber, which led to him becoming a regular sideline performer, known as Rahim the Dream, at Victoria HarbourCats baseball games. The team, owned by Wilson’s company, always gets a rise from spectators when Khudabux dances for the crowd. The gig is also a great way to promote his furniture store. Khudabux’s connections to The Chamber run deep, as he has been a member of the Board of Directors, the Ambassador committee and one of the early drivers of the Prodigy Group. However, the path to being a prominent business person wasn’t always clear. After graduating from the University of Victoria, Khudabux was drawn to the independence and energy of being an entrepreneur. However, the mystery of running a business was daunting. Fortunately for Khudabux, he was taken under the wing of Hasham, past chair of The Chamber. With guidance and a little encouragement from Hasham, Khudabux was able to find his path. “As soon as he showed me that (being a successful business owner) was a possibility I was hooked and didn’t want to look back,” Khudabux says. Hasham helped Khudabux acquire a small wholesale business with regular clients. It was during this time that Khudabux began getting more involved with The Chamber. “Al told me I should start attending mixers and mingles to network and market myself,” he says. In 2008, Khudabux also began working as manager of Max Furniture, which was started by Hasham and partners. The connections that Khudabux built through The Chamber proved invaluable for the burgeoning business. “We had a zero marketing-budget and so sweat equity was the only way I could grow the business,” Khudabux says, grateful for the opportunities provided by The Chamber. After several years of growing the business and a lot of hard work, Khudabux became co-owner of the store with Hasham, who stayed on as CEO to continue providing guidance. BUSINESSMATTERS | SEPTEMBER 2020
21
