Chamber Member of the Year - Rahim Khudabux

Chamber Member of the Year Award Winner

Rahim Khudabux, Max Furniture

Sharing success the best way to enjoy the journey

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.

Rahim and his business mentor and friend, Al Hasham.

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.

“Being in business is by far the most humbling experience I have had in my life,” Khudabux says. “You are constantly challenged on many fronts, and sometimes you are right and sometimes you are wrong. However, you cannot give up. You have to keep moving forward.”

These days, Khudabux is enjoying family life with his wife Rayyann and their 18-month-old daughter Taya.

He’s also taking the time to look back at where he’s come from, and where he wants to go next.

Rayyann and her husband, Rahim

Rahim and his 18-month-old daughter, Taya.

“I would say the biggest challenge for any business person is staying disciplined, and, at times, staying positive — especially when you start with very little money and resources,” he says, adding that the best thing to do in those times is to carry on putting one foot in front of the other and accept that success is a journey and not a one-off event.

“There are times when you can lift your head up, take a step back and see what you have accomplished — with your mentors and your team,” he says. “You see the impact you have had on others and the community, and you can take pride in that. I think, when you do that once in a while, it can bring a smile to your face.”

Looking ahead, Khudabux is clear that he hopes to one day have as much of an impact on another person’s career as his mentor has had on him.

“Business success, and giving back to the community, actually go hand in hand – I’ve been taught that you cannot have one without the other. The community supports the business and therefore the business must give back. It is the right thing to do,” Khudabux says. “If Al hadn’t taken a chance on helping me out (through ups and downs) I wouldn’t be where I am. And if I can help someone else along the way, and change a life for the better, as mine has been changed, that would be quite an honour.”

Rahim Khudabux

AWARD SPONSORED BY Air Canada