Hassan Dummar

Hassan Dummar

Hassan Dummar is an entrepreneur and the CEO of Elixirme Beauty, a company that sells hair and skincare products. He formed the company in 2015 and has been improving on its product range and quality ever since. 5-years down the line, he has grown Elixirme to be one of the nation’s most competitive providers of natural hair and skincare products. Some of the company’s products include shampoos, conditioners, hair serum, heat and seal sprays, and charcoal face wash cleansers. He continues to oversee the company’s investments in technologies to improve the outcomes that customers get from its product offering. Hassan’s success as an entrepreneur results from hard work, a passion for the beauty industry, and his academic background. Hassan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration and management. His educational background gave him the skills needed for management, marketing, and customer services.

Outside of his success in the corporate world, Hassan is into philanthropy and is also a social activist. As a philanthropist, Hassan loves donating money to charities that help vulnerable people in society. Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, Hassan has given a lot to homeless people who are at an elevated risk at this time. As a social activist, Hassan is active in non-profits that advocate for more funding for schools that cater to society’s underprivileged segments. He believes that funding them can end wealth inequality and some resultant issues such as crime while fostering healthier communities. Despite his busy schedule, Hassan always creates some time for himself to relax and refresh. One of his favorite past time activities is biking. On most weekends, he takes a bike ride around his locality, and at other times, ventures out for longer rides. It is one of his ways to stay healthy and stay mentally focused on the job.

What is your hobby?

My hobby is biking. I love riding bicycles, and I do it every time I get the chance.

How did you get started with this hobby? What inspired you?

Like most people, I started cycling as a child. My father taught me to ride my first bicycle when I was barely three years old. It grew on me because the moments I spent with him out riding were very special to me. The memories still make me laugh to date because they strengthened our bond. We continued cycling together through the years-long after I had gotten good at it. Spending quality time with him was what inspired me. It was our thing, and it was fun. I also kept at it because when I was about ten years old, I was a paperboy. Using my bike to make those rounds was as much fun for me as it was efficient. Simply put, riding has been a core aspect of my lifestyle, and my love for it increases with each passing day.

Tell us what you love about your hobby.

As an adult, I love that cycling gives me a good cardio workout. It’s a win-win because I get to be in good shape and health while having fun. I always look forward to cycling as both a workout regimen and a means to relax. I find it to be an excellent way to start my day before heading to work. I also love that it helps improve my posture after a long day spent in the office. Biking is also my way of enhancing my creativity. It is while cycling that I come up with some of my most successful ideas. Out of all the reasons why I love cycling, this is the most important to me. On top of that, through cycling club events and competitions, we have managed to come up with ways of giving back to society. Some of these events have generated funds that helped us feed homeless people and provide them with other basic needs.

What types of things or equipment have you spent money on for your hobby.

The first and most apparent is a bicycle. Over the years, I have bought more than my fair share of bikes. At the moment, I own four different ones, which I use on alternate days, depending on various factors. The first and most frequently used is my road bike. I like how efficient it is when riding on roads. The frame is lightweight, and the gear ratio is high, allowing me to go at very high speeds when I am feeling up to it.

The second type and my personal favorite is the mountain bike. I mostly use it in hilly or mountainous areas or when I want to ride off-road. I like how wide it is and has extra padding for cushioning jumps on the off-road terrain. The third kind that I own is a folding bike. I like this because I get to use my own bicycle even when I am away from home. It is foldable and therefore easy to carry along for my numerous work-related trips. My fourth and final bicycle is an antique bike that I bought and keep purely for sentimental reasons. Looking at it helps me appreciate the evolution of cycling. The workmanship is also outstanding.

I have also invested in good quality cycling attire such as padded shorts, when doing long rides. These are great because they provide great cushioning against the saddle and also make riding more comfortable. Cycling jerseys also make me comfortable when doing long rides. They provide better ventilation and some even have pockets where I can store small bites and such things.

I have also used very many water bottles and cages, as it’s essential to stay hydrated while cycling. Lastly, I always carry with me basic tools in case I need to repair any damages to the bicycle.

What are some of your favorite places to shop for your hobby?

I like to shop online, especially on Amazon, due to its convenience. Online shopping also works for me because there’s a wide range of products from different vendors to buy them all from the same place. I also like that I can return or exchange the products if they don’t meet my needs. The reviews from other buyers on the products are also beneficial as I can gauge whether the products will sufficiently meet my needs before I make a purchase. That’s about it, really.

How much money have you invested into this? How much would a beginner have to invest to get started?

Because this has been my hobby for almost my entire life, it is difficult to quantify how much money I have invested in it. Besides, the satisfaction and joy that cycling has brought to my life is invaluable. I would advise any beginner to first of all, invest in an excellent sturdy bicycle. This is because they should get something that can be used for a long time. I would also ask them to get adequate safety gear such as a helmet and a few spare items like inner tubes. However, the most important thing is not money, but time and the desire to ride.

Are there any good books for beginners? Include the authors name

For children, I would recommend the book Anyone Can Learn to Ride a Bicycle by Chris Raschka. I find it to be both entertaining and informative for young children who are curious about cycling. It also educates them on the importance of taking precautionary measures such as using helmets and knee pads. Further, the book helps them to understand that there are levels that they have to go through as they learn and get more skilled.

My first recommendation would be Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle by Dervla Murphy for the adults. This book opened me up to the possibility of having adventures just by cycling. I was so motivated by the author’s experiences and her desire to keep going in the face of so many challenges.

The second book I would recommend is Racing through the Dark, The Fall and Rise of David Millar by David Millar. I like that this book speaks about hard work and grit, resulting in success. It also addresses failure and disappointment, which are prevalent aspects of our lives. The struggles of the author to maintain his reputation and be even better resonated with me. I respected the challenges that he faced. I empathized with his desperation which resulted in poor decision-making on his part. Mostly I applauded his commitment to getting his life back on track and be a better person. I learned so much through this book and have read it multiple times.

I would also recommend The Flying Scotsman by Graeme Obree. The strength that the author exhibits are remarkable. While suffering from manic depression and suicidal despair, he was able to have a successful career as a cyclist. He also employed the use of very non-conventional methods to get the job done. This book is memorable because it taught me that resilience and consistency were necessary to achieve my goals.

Lastly, I would recommend Cycling Health and Physiology: Using Sports Science To Improve Your Riding and Racing by Edmund Burke.  I would recommend this to those who are curious about the effect of cycling on the body and how to use your body to achieve optimal results. It helped me to get the most out of cycling.

Are there any online videos you recommend to help beginners? Please include a link

Yes, there are several videos that I think have excellent information on cycling. They cover various topics such as tips on how to cycle well to safety measures to take while cycling. They also teach basic skills such as how to clean and maintain your bike. These are some of the videos I feel would be useful for beginners.

How has your hobby changed your life?

Cycling has changed my life in several ways. To begin with, it has improved my health. I am able to maintain a healthy weight thanks to my regular cycling. Secondly, the cycling competitions that I take part in have helped me build the mental stamina I need to succeed in the highly competitive business world. The people I have met through cycling events have also had a positive impact on my life. Some of them have resulted in the company’s growth by using our products or working with us to promote and market. Others have been my social capital, offering support whenever I needed it. Cycling has also given me a platform to use my skills and resources at my disposal to improve other people’s lives by participating in community outreach programs organized by cyclists.

What advice do you have for others starting out with this hobby?

I would tell them that it is okay to start with just the basics, especially on issues to do with safety. That safety is very important while cycling. I would also advise them that it is a gradually built skill, so they should be patient with themselves. Investing in the right gear is essential to avoid fatal injuries. Unless you are an adrenaline junkie, cycling should not in any way put your life at risk. Take it as an activity to just have fun, relax, and keep your heart healthy. I never go so hard on biking to the extent that it may give long-term injuries, and guess what I am medically okay, and it is ever fun meeting new people at various cycling events.