We have asked Roy Haddad and Joe Khneisser, founders of Auto Surf, to share with us their entrepreneurial experience.

Ghada Moubarak: A lot of people think entrepreneurs are born, not made. What's your take on that?

Roy Haddad: There is no clear cut when it comes to entrepreneurs being born or made. A successful entrepreneur is surely one with more or less, a specific set of innate attributes; but he or she cannot make it with only that much. A lot of hard work, learning, and perseverance are involved to shape the challenge for the young entrepreneur. A challenge which can only be overcome when faced with a sturdy desire to create.

GM: What prompted you to start AutoSurf?

RH: My partner and I both share a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and we both felt ready to create something unique. Something that could start up small, at a specific budget which was available at hand, and which also had a lot of room for growth. Auto Surf was the most attractive and feasible idea that stood out, and we decided to go for it.

GM: What are your long-term goals?

RH: We aim to achieve a high level of awareness for our product and have it reach maturity in the Lebanese market. It is also important to keep our readers at the center of our strategy; therefore maintaining perceived usefulness and practicality is also crucial.

GM: What do you need right now to take Auto Surf further?

RH: Time seems to be of outmost importance now. It is crucial that we maintain the high standards we have set, for enough time to gain business from advertisers, and then keep it as such. Advertisers, who represent the most substantial source of revenue for Auto Surf, must first become better familiar with our product and observe its adoption rate by the consumers.

GM: What is the best advice you have for entrepreneurs setting up their first business?

RH: Be prepared to work hard and maintain a positive attitude in times of overwhelming stress and ambiguity. However, it’s all worth i t !