Hassan Khursheed’s 7Cars journey in UAE – How this Pakistani-born entrepreneur turned passion into profit
7Cars aims to expand across the MENA region with quality service
DUBAI – Hassan Khursheed’s fascination with automobiles started long before business plans or spreadsheets. Born in Pakistan and raised in a middle-class Saudi Arabian family, he was a boy captivated by cars in every form.
"From a very young age, I had an obsession about cars from being a car enthusiast to eventually becoming an entrepreneur," he told GulfNews. He followed trends, collected diecast models, and attended exhibitions – activities that shaped the foundation of his entrepreneurial journey.
By his teenage years, Khursheed was participating in Saudi auctions, learning the intricacies of the automotive market firsthand. That hands-on experience paid off in 2011 when he successfully closed his first export deal from the UAE to Saudi Arabia – a critical step in translating passion into business.
Bootstrapping 7Cars
The next chapter of Khursheed’s journey began with modest beginnings. Using personal savings, he launched 7Cars with a fleet of just seven vehicles – the inspiration for the company’s name. "I define success not in terms of numbers but where my journey has taken me over the years," he said.
Operating in the automotive industry, however, comes with constant hurdles. Fleet management, customer retention, and fluctuating demand presented daily challenges. Yet Khursheed reframed setbacks as growth opportunities. "My approach to every challenge I ever faced has been to learn from my failures and think of those as a stepping stone towards my development.”
A personal milestone along the way was his 24th birthday in 2015, when he purchased his first Range Rover, funded entirely through deals he had closed himself – proof that teenage passion could yield tangible rewards.
UAE as a launchpad
Khursheed chose the UAE for its conducive business environment. "UAE is the ultimate destination for dreamers like me who look to transform their vision into reality," he said. From his first visit in 2006, he admired the country’s safety, infrastructure, and quality of life. The seamless integration of government platforms and digitised business processes made scaling 7Cars both feasible and efficient.
Looking ahead, he aims to expand 7Cars across the MENA region, investing in modern fleets to cater to a diverse clientele. For young entrepreneurs, his advice is simple: act decisively, trust instincts, and focus on building strong relationships. "I believe in quick decision making and not being paralysed by over thinking… always focus on developing relations within the market," he advised.