"I want to create opportunities for business owners"
Shezad Nawab has spent his career challenging assumptions about what Deaf people can achieve in business.
As a profoundly Deaf British Asian entrepreneur, he has built a career across business strategy, consultancy, international connections and public speaking while tackling communication and accessibility barriers.
His experiences have shaped a clear belief that Deaf and disabled people should be recognised for their commercial expertise, leadership and ability to create opportunities.
In 2017, Shezad received an MBE for services to business and diversity, adding another significant milestone to a journey he explores in his book Born Deaf To An MBE.
Through his work with the UK Deaf Business Expo and wider advocacy, he continues to focus on creating greater visibility, stronger networks and meaningful commercial opportunities for Deaf and disabled entrepreneurs.
In an interview with DESIblitz, Shezad Nawab discusses the experiences that shaped his approach to entrepreneurship, the barriers that still need to be addressed and the principles that continue to guide his work.
From Early Influences to Entrepreneurship
Shezad Nawab’s entrepreneurial start began with the appeal of turning ideas into something practical. At the same time, he took responsibility for the direction of his own career.
His early experiences with his father also helped establish the importance he places on relationships, responsibility and perseverance.
Shezad explains: “Entrepreneurship appealed to me because it offered the opportunity to turn ideas into something practical and take responsibility for my own direction.
“I wanted to build businesses, make decisions and create opportunities for others.
“My father was an important early influence. Those experiences helped shape my interest in business and the importance I place on relationships, responsibility and perseverance.
“That interest developed into a career spanning business strategy, consultancy, international connections and public speaking.”
“Being profoundly Deaf has meant finding different ways to communicate and operate, but my ambition has always been to contribute through the quality of my work.”
Those experiences have also influenced how Shezad approaches leadership, as he says:
“They have taught me that communication is a leadership responsibility. When someone cannot participate fully in a meeting, access information or contribute to a decision, an organisation risks losing valuable expertise.
“I place great importance on clarity, preparation and mutual understanding. Written information, qualified interpreters and accessible meetings enable people to contribute effectively.
“My experiences have also taught me to challenge assumptions.
“Communicating differently does not diminish someone’s ability to think strategically, negotiate or lead.
“I want people to assess my judgement, experience and results, and I apply the same principle when working with others.”
Changing how Deaf Entrepreneurs are Supported
Shezad Nawab believes the business world needs to look beyond the barriers associated with disability and give greater attention to the commercial contribution Deaf and disabled entrepreneurs make.
He states: “Greater attention needs to be given to our commercial contribution.
“Deaf and disabled entrepreneurs create products, deliver services, employ people and identify opportunities. That contribution deserves serious business coverage and meaningful access to professional networks.
“Support must match our ambitions. Starting a business is only one stage. Entrepreneurs may also need expertise in investment, recruitment, governance, international trade and succession planning.
“Through the UK Deaf Business Expo, I want to create opportunities for business owners to demonstrate their expertise, build relationships and develop commercial partnerships.
“Visibility becomes particularly valuable when it opens doors to business opportunities.”
Shezad also identifies expectations as an important part of the wider issue.
Recognition of Deaf and disabled professionals, he argues, needs to be reflected in access to responsibility and decision-making rather than stopping at visibility.
He continues: “Low expectations are a significant barrier. Assumptions about someone’s capabilities can close doors before their experience or business proposition has received proper consideration.
“Practical barriers also remain, including inaccessible events, inadequate communication support and business programmes that overlook different access requirements.
“Progress requires accessible application and investment processes, properly planned meetings and greater representation in decision-making roles.
“Deaf and disabled professionals should help shape these systems and have opportunities to serve as advisers, judges, directors and investors.
“Recognition needs to translate into access to responsibility, resources and commercial opportunity.”
Turning Challenges into Opportunities
The idea of responding to obstacles by looking for another route has become an important part of Shezad Nawab’s approach to entrepreneurship.
Instead of treating a difficulty as a fixed endpoint, Shezad considers what can be changed and whether a different approach or partnership could create a way forward.
He elaborates: “For me, transforming challenges into opportunities means examining a difficulty and asking what can be changed.
“Could a different approach work? Is there another route? Would the right partnership help?”
“This mindset has encouraged me to keep learning, develop international relationships and support others facing their own entrepreneurial challenges.
“My advice is to combine determination with honest assessment. Understand your customers, test your ideas, manage your finances and seek appropriate advice.
“Persistence is most effective when accompanied by a willingness to adapt. Setbacks can provide valuable information, provided you are prepared to learn from them and act.”
These ideas are also explored in Shezad’s book, Born Deaf To An MBE, which explores the experiences behind his professional achievements.
On the book, the entrepreneur says: “I wanted to share the journey behind the achievements.
“An award or professional title reveals very little about the effort, uncertainty and decisions involved in building a career.
“Born Deaf To An MBE gave me the opportunity to share my experiences and the principles that have guided me.
“I hoped Deaf and disabled readers would recognise possibilities for their own futures, while other readers would reconsider assumptions about who can succeed in business.
“Above all, I wanted to encourage action: develop your knowledge, recognise your strengths, seek support where necessary and take your ambitions seriously.”
Principles behind the Work
Within the book are Shezad’s principles of Time, Today and Tomorrow (3 T’s), alongside trust, honesty and faith.
They are a framework for how he considers responsibility, action and longer-term consequences in both professional and personal decisions.
He says: “The ‘3 T’s’ are a practical reminder of how I approach responsibility and progress.
“Time is valuable and should be used carefully. Today is when we act. Tomorrow is shaped by the decisions we make now.
“Trust and honesty underpin my professional relationships. Clear expectations, keeping commitments and acknowledging difficulties are essential to maintaining credibility.
“Faith gives me perspective, gratitude and a sense of responsibility. It encourages me to consider how I pursue my goals and how my decisions affect others.
“Together, these principles help me balance immediate action with a longer-term sense of purpose.”
Shezad’s business acumen and work to boost diversity were recognised when he received an MBE in 2017.
Calling the honour a “deeply meaningful milestone”, he says:
“I felt proud and grateful that my contribution had been recognised.”
“As a profoundly Deaf British Asian entrepreneur, the recognition also carried a wider significance. I hoped it would encourage others to recognise the leadership and business potential of people with different backgrounds and experiences.
“It also brought a sense of responsibility to continue contributing. The honour remains an important part of my story and strengthens my commitment to sharing knowledge and creating opportunities.”
Shezad Nawab’s focus now extends to the entrepreneurs who will follow, with greater visibility forming one part of a broader need for practical support:
“I want the next generation to see business leadership as a realistic possibility.
“They should be able to picture themselves founding companies, employing teams, attracting investment and operating internationally.
“I hope to contribute through practical knowledge, stronger networks and greater visibility. Encouragement matters, but people also need access to the advice, relationships and resources that help businesses develop.
“Above all, I want my story to show that their ambitions deserve to be taken seriously.
“My hope is that more Deaf and disabled entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to build businesses on their own terms and create opportunities for those who follow.”
Shezad Nawab’s entrepreneurial approach is rooted in practical action, continued learning and a belief that access to opportunity should not be limited by assumptions about disability.
From challenging barriers in professional environments to creating spaces where Deaf and disabled entrepreneurs can build relationships and demonstrate their expertise, his work remains focused on turning greater visibility into meaningful opportunities.
His story also highlights the importance of taking ambitions seriously while recognising when adaptation, support and collaboration are needed to move them forward.
To enquire about booking Shezad Nawab for business workshops, panel discussions, inspirational talks, expos or conferences, please contact [email protected].
