When a new business is first getting off the ground, it can be extremely difficult for its creators to know how to address certain issues. Regardless of the product or service they offer, lingering questions surrounding branding, design, digital infrastructure, data and analytics, and emergent technologies can often vex new entrepreneurs. There are also the complications of employee recruitment, financial forecasting, cash flow management, tax optimization, and sales performance analytics.
Shoaib Khan is the founder and chief executive officer of Clearoute Inc., a consulting company based out of Toronto that specializes in demystifying these aspects of launching a business. By harnessing the power of innovation and next-generation technology, he built his own firm around providing a ‘one-stop shop’ that offers simple solutions for the various needs of new entrepreneurs.
Exeleon Magazine sat down with Shoaib Khan to know more about Clearoute Inc. as well as Mr. Khan himself as its founder, CEO, and driving force.
Q: Clearoute Inc. was designed to help business creators. Can you walk us through what brought about the creation of Clearoute Inc., and the steps you’ve taken to make it thrive?
Shoaib Khan: Since I was a young man, I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur, but my motivation had less to do with the money aspect than with the satisfaction of conceiving an idea and bringing it to life. The inspiration behind Clearoute Inc. was derived from the same notion. I knew lots of people had the same itch as me to create something from nothing. When I studied at York University, I was interested in the relationship between business creation and emerging technology. When I graduated in the 90s, this was at the forefront of everyone’s minds. The business landscape was changing so quickly with the dotcom boom, and the internet was becoming a major forum for trading ideas and information. It became the dominant platform for entrepreneurs to start a business. It was the new frontier. I started Clearoute Inc. with little besides my own vision and a commitment to hard work. I held several other jobs to make ends meet. I was a manager with TD Bank Group, as well as a consultant with Amia Inc. But the whole time I was working on developing Clearoute Inc. into a market leader. Now, nearly a quarter century later, my vision is a reality, and it’s greatly exceeded my expectations.
Q: How would you describe Clearoute’s value to new entrepreneurs?
Shoaib Khan: Clearoute Inc’s goal is to prepare new businesses for every aspect of their operations – to smooth out what otherwise might be a rocky road. We’re a consulting agency equipped with the knowledge and experience to develop customized solutions specific to the needs of each of our clients, and we have the expertise necessary to execute them in the real world. We operate in the realms of branding, marketing, technology, finance, sales, capital, and talent. Our goal is to provide answers for every conceivable business challenge an entrepreneur might have.
Q: You chose to enter a notoriously competitive industry. What challenges have you encountered thus far, and how have you managed to prosper?
Shoaib Khan: Like any company, we have faced our fair share of challenges. There is no such thing as a business that has encountered nothing but sunshine and rainbows on its journey from a startup to a successful enterprise. But I am happy to say that the challenges we have faced—whether they be in the area of resource management, dealing with aggressive competition, or simply finding a way to maintain full operations during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic—have been met head-on by my team and dispelled, if not easily, at least relatively painlessly. Clearoute Inc. has some battle scars, but no serious wounds.
Q: Do you have any advice to impart to any would-be or novice entrepreneurs?
Shoaib Khan: Yes, it’s quite simple: do not give up. Do not stop trying until you realize your vision. Tenacity, perseverance, stick-to-itiveness—however you wish to characterize it—that’s the single most important quality an entrepreneur can cultivate. It will put you head and shoulders above 95% of your competitors.
Q: You are also an active humanitarian and nonprofit creator. Can you describe outline some of the organizations and initiatives you have launched?
Shoaib Khan: Of course. Some time ago, I founded an organization called One Parent, whose mission was to provide support and resources for single-parent families. I myself am the product of a single-parent family, having been raised only by my mother, and so that cause was understandably very near and dear to me. As time went by, I decided to broaden the organization’s scope. I rebranded One Parent into an organization called Humaniti, and we shifted our emphasis to providing health and medical resources where they are most badly needed. One of Humaniti’s most recent initiatives is called ‘Heal’ – this is an international campaign focused on bringing medical aid to war-torn and disaster-stricken areas. We send medication and equipment, arrange for critical surgeries, and provide psychological support for people suffering from trauma. We’re doing a lot of work in Palestine right now, for example. We also have ongoing operations in Haiti.
