Zaharil Zainal is just 35, but already he is running four separate businesses, including an IT consultancy, a construction company, a vape business and a restaurant in PJ called Don’s Diner. ZIEMAN finds out what makes him tick.

How do you juggle between your consultancy business, restaurant, construction and vape business?

Clear demarcation of the scope of work is crucial in all my business ventures, as they involve different sets of business partners. What I have learned from my consulting business and the book The E-Myth is to have a system and process in place.

You cannot do everything yourself, so instead, you create a system and design a process to obtain whatever results you aim to achieve. That’s how I juggle between my businesses.

Any memorable experience in business?

When we first started Hazz Consulting in 2010, we didn’t start with RM1mil in capital. We started very, very small. Starbucks became our first office, plus a few mamak stalls. We would arrive early in the morning and stay till late, sometimes until closing time. We even hold our meetings there.

Sometimes, all we order is a cup of Americano to last us through the day.

How do you deal with stress?

I usually take a short vacation with my family.

Do you ask for help when you are stuck?

Of course. It’s important to seek help in business. I can’t imagine surviving on my own. Anyway, my mentor is one of my partners from one of my businesses.

What are the business lessons you have learned so far?

Persistence and perseverance is the key.

Who is your main motivator?

Without doubt and without fail, my family is the pillar and my best support. They motivate me all the time.

Do you have any tips on avoiding mistakes in business?

Do a lot of feasibility and market research before you jump into something. Gut feelings don’t work.

What has been your greatest fear?

Failure. Even though I have failed a few times, another failure is not an option because it would show that I never learn.

Any plans to expand your business?

Yes, we plan to expand Don’s Diner to a few locations. The challenge is to make sure that all of our branches have the same standard of food and services.

How do you cope with the challenges?

I try as much to live by this: Do not react; respond.

What is your hobby?

I love scuba diving because being underwater provides me relaxation, peace and silence — all much needed. Some divers enjoy diving for the micro or pelagic sea creatures, some enjoy the underwater landscape and scenery, but me, I dive for some “me time”. All the stress from work and the chaotic fast-paced city life is gone when I’m under water. Water features offer me relaxation.

Who inspires you and what is your favourite book?

Great people around me. They all inspire me in one way or another. These people are my family, my friends and my business partners. I also love a good book and use it as reference for business, like The E-Myth.

My favourite quote is “For as long as one lives, one learns”. My uncle shared this with me. The quote inspires me to learn new things in business and in life generally.