Iman Ghadzi, Founder & CEO at Ghadzi Academy
4.9/5 Rating
Creators, eCommerce, Production, Retail
$1M+/mo
$10M+ ARR

Iman GhadziFounder & CEO

In this interview, entrepreneur Eman Gadzhi shares how he built a business empire before the age of 25, growing from a challenging upbringing in South London to becoming a successful investor and business owner. He discusses entrepreneurship, personal branding, digital products, relationships, wealth creation, mental health, and the lessons he learned from overcoming adversity. Eman also explains why purpose, discipline, and helping others have played a major role in his success.

Iman Ghadzi

Iman Ghadzi

Founder & CEO

Hills Eyewear

Founder Stats

  • Creators, eCommerce, Production, Retail
  • Started 2018
  • $1M+/mo
  • 21–50 team
  • UK

About Iman Ghadzi

Eman Gadzhi is an entrepreneur, investor, and founder of multiple online businesses. Raised by a single mother in South London, he began building businesses as a teenager and later grew a portfolio of companies spanning education, e-commerce, software, and investments. Today, he is widely recognized for his insights on entrepreneurship, personal branding, and business growth.

Interview

April 23, 2024

Q

What's the biggest misconception people have about you?

Question 1 of 15
Iman Ghadzi

People think I'm not a normal person. Like, they ask if I eat pizza or watch TikTok. The truth is, I'm just a normal guy figuring it out like everyone else. I never wanted to be on a pedestal I just share my life, and if someone finds parts of it useful, that's great.

0
Q

How did you handle the intense hustle during the early days of your career?

Question 2 of 15
Iman Ghadzi

I always compare it to taking a plane off the ground. At the start, it takes a lot of fuel it's intense. But once you're in the air, things cruise a bit more. I had to go really hard early on almost autistic level of focus and that intensity got me off the ground. But eventually, I had to learn to relax the schedule, find hobbies, and that's when I actually made more money.

0
Q

What would you tell someone in their early 20s to deprioritize?

Question 3 of 15
Iman Ghadzi

It really depends. I didn't have teenage years I had to grow up fast. So when people talk about partying or college, I missed all that. If your goal is big success, the more successful you want to be, the more sacrifices you'll need to make. But there's no "right" path. It's your decision.

0
Q

What's your take on urgency vs patience for young entrepreneurs?

Question 4 of 15
Iman Ghadzi

You need urgency in the short term like today, you should feel that pressure. But long-term, you have to be patient. If you try to rush everything, you'll burn out. So it's a mix: urgency daily, patience over years.

0
Q

What did you learn about leadership as your business grew?

Question 5 of 15
Iman Ghadzi

That you have to hire. At one point, I was drowning in support tickets and tasks. I had to get over the fear of delegating. Now I know: outsourcing and hiring smart people is the only way to scale and stay sane.

0
Q

What business models do you recommend for beginners?

Question 6 of 15
Iman Ghadzi

Anything where you don't risk a ton of money upfront. Digital products or services are great like selling info products, editing, or clipping content. You don't want to be someone new putting 30K into stock and losing sleep over customs delays. Keep it simple, test things out, and grow slowly.

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Q

If you had to make $10K/month in high school, what would you do?

Question 7 of 15
Iman Ghadzi

Digital products or services, 100%. We have someone making $8K/month selling Fortnite maps. Another guy makes $71K/month teaching people how to flip Pokémon cards. It's not about reinventing the wheel it's about turning what you're already interested in into income.

0
Q

What's your view on failure, especially in business?

Question 8 of 15
Iman Ghadzi

I don't really believe in failure. I just see it as getting closer to success. Like, even if a business doesn't work out for 6–12 months, you're learning. The worst-case scenario shouldn't be that you're bankrupt it should just be that you learned what didn't work.

0
Q

What's one of the biggest shifts you experienced after finding success?

Question 9 of 15
Iman Ghadzi

Funny enough, I made more money once I allowed myself to have hobbies and be less rigid. When I was younger, everything had to be perfect super scheduled, no distractions. That worked for a while, but eventually, I had to loosen up to grow again.

0
Q

How has building a personal brand helped you beyond making content?

Question 10 of 15
Iman Ghadzi

It's everything deal flow, hiring, better investment terms. For years, I didn't monetize my brand. But now it helps in ways I never imagined. The key is being intentional. Don't post generic "millionaire tips" if you're trying to land B2B clients. Be strategic.

0
Q

What advice would you give someone struggling to start?

Question 11 of 15
Iman Ghadzi

Just take the first step. Don't think you need to be me or anyone else right away. You don't go from zero to investing millions overnight. I started by filming videos, doing photo shoots for local businesses. Get your foot in the door, and build from there.

0
Q

What's something that keeps you grounded, no matter how far you go?

Question 12 of 15
Iman Ghadzi

The promises I made to my mom. Like taking her to Paris, buying her dream home those were real anchors for me. When you make a promise to someone you love, especially when they've sacrificed for you, that'll push you further than any vision board ever could.

0
Q

What's one thing that helped you feel more confident or excited to work during your early success phase?

Question 13 of 15
Iman Ghadzi

I always tell people: spend money on anything that makes you excited to show up to work. New chair, better laptop, desk setup those things aren't flashy, but they boost productivity. Same goes for things that improve sleep or health like an Aura Ring or gym membership.

0
Q

Why do you think people fail to build long-term focus?

Question 14 of 15
Iman Ghadzi

Because their dopamine is fried. If you're on TikTok or gaming all day, regular tasks won't feel satisfying. That's why I like dopamine detoxes it resets your baseline so you can actually enjoy and focus on your work.

0
Q

What's your view on money and responsibility as you scale?

Question 15 of 15
Iman Ghadzi

People think more money always means better. But making $100 million usually means dealing with way more responsibility than making $100K. If both came with the same stress, sure, take the 100 million. But that's never the case.

0

Video Interviews with Iman Ghadzi

Why I Struggled With Money, Focus, and Fame | Iman Ghadzi

Why I Struggled With Money, Focus, and Fame | Iman Ghadzi

Why I Struggled With Money, Focus, and Fame | Iman Ghadzi

Iman Ghadzi: From Broke to $100M+ Business Owner

Iman Ghadzi: From Broke to $100M+ Business Owner

How I Built a 7-Figure Business at 23 | Iman Ghadzi Interview

How I Built a 7-Figure Business at 23 | Iman Ghadzi Interview

The Truth About Making Money Online | Iman Ghadzi

The Truth About Making Money Online | Iman Ghadzi

Iman Ghadzi on Building Digital Products That Scale

Iman Ghadzi on Building Digital Products That Scale

From Zero to $100K/Month: Iman Ghadzi's Journey

From Zero to $100K/Month: Iman Ghadzi's Journey

Iman Gadzhi: The Reality of Entrepreneurship

Iman Gadzhi: The Reality of Entrepreneurship

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