Rafi Chowdhury: “I never really let school interfere with my education”

I met Rafi last year at an online marketing webinar, and it was a pleasure for me to be able to discuss my goals and ambitions with him. Rafi Chowdhury is a serial entrepreneur, consultant, and blogger, known for his work in internet marketing and as co-founder of the startup myCampusHacks, and founder of Chowdhury’s Digital. He is an encouragement to me. I read his incredible blog posts every morning and take serious notes. I have already learned a lot of really cool things from Rafi, so I am very happy to share my recent interview with him.

1. How did you become so good at what you do? Can you tell me something interesting about yourself that no one knows?

I learned. I am a constant learner. I never really let school interfere with my education. Anytime I stumble across something new that catches my attention, I go straight to YouTube and Google and begin to research as much about that topic as I can. And then, I begin actually doing it on my own. I think that’s definitely one of the best ways to get good at anything-- learn as much as possible and then start doing it. It’s that simple.

What most people don’t know about me is that I actually started out in the business world a long time ago. I used to have my own chess coaching business when I was 14. And even all throughout my college years, I constantly was starting new projects on my own within the chess community and trying to make money to pay my college tuition and other bills. This sort of hustling mentality is what constantly drives me to create more businesses and try my hand at different projects. I just see a market where I have interest and there is opportunity, and I jump right into it. When I get bored or I find something better to get involved with, I leave and move onto my next project.

2. Is there something that you have always sought after in life? Have you gotten it yet?

Yes. I want to see the people in my life who have helped me, be happy. What I seek most is to be able to help people achieve whatever it is that they want in life. I also try to help people sort of numerate what it is that they really want. It’s hard for us to really know what we want a lot of times because our unconscious mind is the one that’s making most of the decisions for us before our conscious mind gets a chance to.

I have definitely been able to help a lot of people out and have been able to inspire many people to take action on their goals, but there is still so much more that I think I can do. But I like to have realistic goals and only go after things which I know I can have an impact on.

3. What was the weirdest email that you have ever sent for business?

Haha, that’s a funny question…Hmmm…one thing I have done before is like when I am trying to negotiate with a client or a company on a specific deal, I will pitch to them from multiple email addresses. I will first pitch them my quote and try to negotiate. And then I would email them again from another account and pretend to be some other company and pitch them a much higher quote. I have been able to land a few good clients with this trick, haha!

4. You help a lot of people online. Do you have anyone you consider your mentor? Who do you go to for advice on things?

I had a mentor in college named Brent Morgan who taught me a lot of psychology tricks. I also had a mentor named Taurus Bailey who taught me a bit about financing and investing. But honestly, most of my mentors are in books. I look up to industry experts and influencers and read their works and follow them online. Even though I may not have a personal relationship with many of them, I am connected to many of them via their blogs and books.

As far as advice on life, I usually go to my parents and my friends who know me really well. They can often give me perspectives on things I would otherwise never have considered. I make it a habit to always get others’ opinions before making any big decisions.

5. What is happiness to you?

Having the freedom and ability to do what you want, when you want, and with who you want. In essence, it’s the freedom of time and location.

You can follow Rafi here and here.