Mohammed Islam
By Tunde Wey
September 26, 2012
Mohammed Islam is an incredibly genial fellow; he smiles easily, opens doors, and politely addresses guests by “Mr.” and “Mrs.” followed by their proper names, which he makes it a point to know. It could just be that general Midwestern affability, except Mohammed Islam was born in Bangladesh. But as a business owner in the city of Hamtramck, Islam knows what it takes to make his clients feel welcome and his kindness is sincere. He is one of many business owners showcasing Hamtramck as fertile ground for entrepreneurs.
Hamtramck is a small, dense town. Covering about two square miles, it is landlocked by Detroit and Highland Park. Altogether its 22,000+ residents make it one of the most ethnically-diverse cities in the country; Yemenis, Bengalis, Poles, African Americans, Albanians, Arabs, and more all live in this otherwise wholly Midwestern blue collar town.
The relationship between local entrepreneurs like Islam and the city of Hamtramck is important; more than just a place for business, Islam sees the city as his home, and sees its success as a reflection of his own.
For Islam and his family, Hamtramck has always been a beacon of hope. At age 14 his family moved to New York from Bangladesh. Quickly attracted by the prospect of affordable housing and a familiar community, Islam’s father purchased homes in Hamtramck. He moved the family from New York to Hamtramck a year later and Islam has remained here since.
Now 31 years old with a young family of his own, Islam is effusively optimistic about the city. “Hamtramck is a city of success,” he says. “You don’t need a car to do anything. You have everything – shops, pharmacies, banks. It is in the middle of the highways, all the highways are connected. It is a melting pot, mixed cultures. Everybody lives in their own home. I grew up this city and I really love this city. Everybody is friendly; they are not too rich but very friendly.” He punctuates this statement with a smile.
Islam is owner of PLAN Engineering and Construction LLC, a design and construction firm. Islam’s PLAN Engineering has helped build two restaurants, Bonoful Café and Amar Pizza, and has renovated over 50 residential homes. Like most entrepreneurs, Islam began his business to meet a need. He says that there were not many contractors in the local South Asian community. “A lot of people were buying houses and building new additions and people were having a hard time,” referring to certain cultural barriers South Asians would experience in trying to hire contractors. Islam’s services have proven popular. His business has grown by word of mouth as more South Asians move into the area and his success here has even spawned a second business.
Islam, a practicing Muslim, has recently opened up a halal poultry slaughter facility, Halal Live Chicken. The halal poultry shop sells live poultry that is slaughtered, cleaned and cut on site for its customers. Nothing is refrigerated, allowing for the freshest possible poultry. With a prominent Muslim minority, Islam says his halal poultry business is offering Hamtramck a product it desperately needs. “The community needs the halal chicken shop. Animals will be in cages and customers can pick what chickens they want. We will serve poultry: chicken, pigeons, ducks, turkey.” The ethnic diversity of the city also allows Islam to cater to a larger market that highly values fresh food.
Hamtramck, like its neighbors -- the vastly larger yet fiscally impotent Detroit and the smaller and infinitely more desperate Highland Park -- has seen severe economic slowdown. With the decline of manufacturing in the area and attendant disinvestment in these once vibrant automotive cities, there was a pressing need to shift gears (so to speak).
Enter Jason Friedman, Director of Hamtramck’s
Community and Economic Development Department. In his role as Director, Friedman has been able to work with businesses like Islam’s, offering valuable advice and counsel. More importantly, Friedman and his department provide specific and individualized solutions to entrepreneurs looking to do business in the city. If Islam is enthusiastic about Hamtramck, then his attitude towards Friedman borders on ecstatic appreciation. Breaking his usual formality, Islam says “Jason” and the city were instrumental in helping him launch his halal poultry slaughter business.
Friedman says, “We helped Islam with several issues, the first being site selection. His poultry slaughter facility is unique and only allowed in the industrial section of the city. Most of the buildings available in this section of the city are large manufacturing plants so it took patience to find a smaller location that would fit an entrepreneur. We also connected Mohammed to the
Detroit Micro Enterprise Fund for assistance in updating his business plan and access to financing, and are working with him on signage grant in which the city pays for 75% of the cost of a new sign to identify and market the business, and the business owner matches 25%.”
As if the city’s involved and concerted efforts to help entrepreneurs weren’t attractive enough, Hamtramck also offers a forgivable start-up/expansion loan (up to $15,000) if the businesses choose to remain located in the city for at least three years. That’s enough to make any business owner smile.
Photograph by Marvin Shaouni Photography.