Taseen Chowdhury is not your typical college student. While most are focused on passing exams and figuring out life after graduation, he is already building his future one sneaker at a time. A business student at Seneca Polytechnic College, Taseen has taken his love for sneakers and transformed it into a profitable business @instant.Ca which is a sneaker retail business where they sell Jordans, air-forces and many more. All while juggling coursework and deadlines. His story is one of hustle, resilience, and smart decision-making, proving that you don’t have to wait until graduation to chase your dreams.
“I have always been a business student… I just used to do it for fun till it started booming,” Taseen says, reflecting on his journey into the sneaker resale industry. What began as a passion for collecting sneakers, especially Jordan 4s, quickly turned into a business opportunity when he realized the demand for authentic, high-quality footwear. The sneaker resale market is competitive, and authenticity is everything. For Taseen, the first challenge was understanding the industry, making the right connections, and learning how to spot real from fake. “Making connections… what is real and what is fake... it was definitely a learning step,” he explains. Every successful entrepreneur starts somewhere, and for Taseen, knowledge was the foundation of his success.
Running a business is hard enough, but balancing it with school is another challenge altogether. At first, managing both seemed overwhelming, but he eventually found a rhythm. “I was fully online, so that helped me balance a lot,” he admits. Being able to take online courses gave him the flexibility he needed to focus on growing his business without falling behind in school. His experience at Seneca College and at HELIX, the college's incubator program, has played a significant role in shaping his approach to business. “During my CO-OP I was showed and thought some tools to use ” he says, acknowledging how his studies have provided him with practical knowledge that directly applies to his entrepreneurial ventures.
Of course, no business journey is without its hurdles. For Taseen, one of the biggest challenges was dealing with counterfeit sneakers, which cost him money and credibility in the early days. Learning from that mistake, he realized the importance of building trust with his customers. “Whatever I do can either make or break my business,” he says. His time working in customer service before launching his business taught him that success is built on relationships. By prioritizing transparency and reliability, he has cultivated a loyal customer base that values his expertise and authenticity.
The lessons he has learned along the way have shaped his entrepreneurial mindset. “Be ready to lose before anything, learn from others and trust the process,” he advises aspiring business owners. Every setback has been a stepping stone, and his ability to adapt and persevere has been key to his success. With graduation just around the corner, Taseen has big plans for the future. “More marketing for sure… I am graduating this semester, hopefully,” he says. He envisions expanding his business, reaching a broader audience, and leveraging new marketing strategies to scale his operations. He knows that the sneaker industry is constantly evolving, and staying ahead requires continuous learning and innovation.
For students who dream of starting their own business, Taseen has one simple yet powerful piece of advice: “Don’t give up.” The road to success is never easy, but those who push through the challenges will reap the rewards. For him, the most gratifying part of his journey has been watching his business grow to the point where he could quit his part-time job. His hustle has paid off, giving him financial independence and a head start in the world of entrepreneurship.
Taseen’s story is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and self-belief. He has proven that with the right mindset and work ethic, students can build successful businesses while still in school. His journey serves as inspiration for anyone looking to take their ideas to the next level. Whether it’s sneakers or another passion, the key is to start, learn, and keep pushing forward.
You can follow Taseen’s journey and check out his sneaker collection on Instagram at @instant.Ca. His story is a reminder that ambition knows no boundaries and that the best time to start is now.
Be the first to comment