When I first spoke to Fazail Raza, Director and Co-Founder of the EdLink Services, one of the fastest-growing travel consultancies in Lahore, his story fascinated me a lot. Not just because I am a business graduate and highly passionate about entrepreneurship, but because it’s an honest tale of doubt, struggle, resilience, and eventual success.
Back in 2021, he was just another business student in his final year. Travel consultancies weren’t even on his radar. In fact, he didn’t like them as they were neither glamorous nor the people already in it were too inspiring. Then his brother (co-founder) came into the story, showed him gaps, numbers, and possibilities and built his interest in this business.
Now, at the age of 27, Fazail leads a rapidly growing visa consultancy agency, handles dozens of clients every month with a high visa success rate, has a professional team, and yes, he drives a Toyota Fortuner! But the story was completely different three years ago when he used to ride a CG125 motorcycle and was struggling to build a team, establish an office, etc.
So, how did this reluctant entrepreneur turn scepticism into sensational success? This is the story of doubt that turned into direction, resilience amidst challenges, and growth built on trust.
Let’s begin!
A Reluctant Start: Doubt Became Direction
Before this startup, Fazail was like many students pursuing a Bachelor’s in Business Administration (BBA): curious, ambitious, yet uncertain about his future.
“Corporate life didn’t fascinate me at all. BBA taught me skills, but I knew deep inside, I wanted to do something on my own,” he recalls.
Then, his brother came up with this idea, but initially, Fazail didn’t like the idea much.
“Honestly, I didn’t even like this business at first,” he laughed! “Travel agents seemed uneducated and unambitious to me at that time. I couldn’t imagine myself in that space. But my brother showed me the market potential and how we could do it better. That changed everything.”
Now, while most final-year university students were cramming for exams, Fazail was learning how to build a business.
The COVID Pause & The CSS Detour
Like Suzy Kassem said, “doubt kills more dreams than failure.” Doubt, paired with the restrictions on international travel during COVID-19, paused the dreams of Fazail and his brother. Due to this, he started preparing for CSS.
“I felt CSS preparation was too drawn out. Business was calling me back.” The process felt long and directionless so he started learning about the visa consultancy business again after the travel restrictions eased. This time, he also went to an established business for 6 months for hands-on learning.
“My brother had the vision. I had the management skills. Together, we started.”
With this reluctant beginning, EdLink Services was born in 2022.
Starting Small & Growing Big
They began with an investment plan of Rs. 1 million, but reality struck hard, and it went up to Rs. 1.5 million – A very important lesson for every entrepreneur:
“Always expect the unexpected. Startup costs will rise. Plans will shift.”
They bootstrapped with their own money and zero external funding and the road ahead wasn’t easy.
The Pain When No One Wants to Join Your Startup
The biggest challenge in the beginning was hiring! Yes, with a 5.2% official and 6.2% IMF stated unemployment rate at that time, no one was ready to join a startup.
“I remember offering jobs to friends who politely declined, afraid of the risk. That hurts a lot when you ask for support, but no one has trust in you.”
So, what worked for him at that time? Well! Those were referrals from friends and their friends that helped them recruit their initial team members. Within 6 months, they had a team of 5 people.
Takeaway: Building credibility takes time. Persistence always pays off.
Now, the challenge was the workspace as their office was too small at that time to handle 5 people, along with incoming clients. He also felt that the location was neither attractive for clients nor for the candidate team, and candidates wanted to hire.
“We shifted to a proper location in DHA. Invested Rs. 5 million more, within just 6 months. That changed everything!”
From there, CVs started pouring in from the job portals and now, he leads a team of 35+ professionals.
Securing the First Client
In the early days, it was his brother who brought in the first few clients, thanks to his connections abroad. In the meantime, Fazail was managing everything else from eligibility checks to the actual visa filing.
“The first five clients came from my brother’s network in Australia. He was brilliant at networking and relationships.”
Tip: Never underestimate the power of relationships & networking in business. As the famous saying goes, “Your network is your net worth”– Porter Gale.
This initial success validated their business idea, giving Fazail the confidence he needed to believe fully in their venture
“For the first few months, I was busy with operations. Eventually, I took over the client side too, while my brother focused on expansion.”
What is Your Business Model? And Why Study Visas Only?
Initial consultations are free. If eligible, students are charged Rs. 10,000 to 15,000 to begin the process. The rest is paid upon visa filing.
His team handles the entire end-to-end process, from choosing universities to submitting documents. They even help students with transportation and initial accommodation abroad.
“Our goal is to understand the student, not just push a package. If they’re not eligible, we offer honest advice. No fake promises.”
“Why only student visas?” Because focus wins! EdLink is laser-focused on student visa consultancy because it’s their strength. He believes that it’s the best way to go abroad during studies. There are many complexities in other visa types, and they can’t break the trust of the clients.
However, in Australia, they also offer consultancy for other visa types, like immigration, sponsorship, etc.
Trust as a Cornerstone
Clients often came hesitantly, unsure, and worried. But Fazail’s team prioritised transparency, offering free initial consultations and charging fees only when the client was ready to proceed. It helps them gain the client’s trust.
“Success depends on a student’s academic score, English proficiency, and gap years. These things matter, so we educate them before taking any money.”
Thing to remember: Trust takes years to build, seconds to break, and forever to repair.
And it’s working! They currently serve 50+ clients per month on average. Their average visa success rate is 90% and in some regions, it’s even 100%.
The Right Time to Go Abroad: Intermediate or After Graduation?
“It really depends on what a student prefers. Some go abroad right after intermediate to do their bachelor’s, which gives them more time (4 years) to adjust and plan their career there. Others finish their bachelor’s in Pakistan and then head abroad for a proper master’s degree.”
What specific skills or knowledge should someone acquire before starting this business?
When I asked this question, Fazail responded:
- Understanding clients and their requirements
- Understanding the market gap
- Complete understanding of the business
- Complete understanding of the visa filing process (minor mistakes may lead to rejections)
What are the red flags when choosing a consultancy service?
“It is important to check their affiliation with official governing bodies, especially in the country for which they are offering services. Background checks and track record can also tell a lot. Also, the clients shouldn’t make decisions immediately. They should wait a little, maybe for a week, and see if the agency is trying to manipulate them or if they are genuinely working. If someone’s creating unnecessary urgency, it can be a red flag.”
What Marketing Channels Worked Best for You?
Social media and referrals. These are the two marketing channels that worked the best for them.
Have you tried OLX for advertising?
Fazail promoted his agency through a video on OLX’s social media reaching an audience they hadn’t tapped into before. He also sees potential in OLX for advertising his agency in the Travel & Visa Services category.
He has plans to invest in events, billboards, and other branding & marketing avenues as they grow toward their goal of becoming one of Pakistan’s top 5 consultancies in 5 years.
What makes your travel consultancy unique or different from others?
Exceptional customer service! They don’t leave their clients after getting the visa. They even help in arranging the transportation, accommodation, and job placement, if required and possible.
The Proudest Moment?
It’s not always achieving the money goal that makes you feel proud. Sometimes, it’s helping the students get a visa even if he/she has a low chance that gives you this feeling, especially when these students and their families don’t even have high hopes.
“We helped a student with 35% marks in intermediate and a 4.5 IELTS band get a visa… those moments are priceless. You don’t forget those tears of joy.”
My Motivation
“My family, team, and mentors keep me motivated even when I’m feeling down.”
Sometimes, it’s seeing the students he sent abroad enjoying a better lifestyle and living his dream life abroad.
Embracing Technology: The Future is AI
Modern problems need modern tools. EdLink uses CRM systems and AI-based chatbots to handle repetitive queries and streamline operations.
“AI is reshaping our industry. Tasks that took hours now take minutes.”
What are the busiest months or seasons in your business?
Most classes in the universities start in:
UK: Jan & Sep, May (small intake)
Australia: July & February
So, their busiest months start 3 months before the Australia and UK intake months. According to him, many students fail simply because they show up 15 days before intake deadlines, unaware of how long the process actually takes.
How do you stay updated with changing travel rules and visa policies?
As the Director of a consultancy that works with students, professionals, and families planning their international journeys, he has made it a core part of our culture to remain ahead of the curve, not just keeping up with visa policies but anticipating them.
“To stay updated with visa policies like a top consultancy, I rely on official government sources, daily email alerts, and partner university updates. We attend webinars, maintain communication with institutions, and engage in closed agent communities and legal forums. Regular consultations with migration lawyers and real-time case reviews keep our advice sharp.”
Internally, they use Trello, Google Drive, and team training sessions to track changes. With years of experience and data from hundreds of cases, they can identify patterns early. So, staying informed isn’t occasional but a daily practice of their work culture to serve clients with the most updated guidance.
Facing Tough Times with Courage: Emotional Resilience
“Tough times never last, but tough people do” – Robert H. Schuller. Fazail faces tough times with courage. Every entrepreneur faces storms. For Fazail, emotional support networks, including his family, brothers, wife, and mentors like Barrister Mian Ali Ashfaq, proved vital during tough phases.
Tip: “Having emotional support is crucial. If your personal life is not stable, your business may not thrive as it should.”
So, build your emotional support network early, as no entrepreneur can do it alone.
Advice for New Entrepreneurs: Three Essential Tips
Want to open a travel consultancy? Here’s a golden checklist from Fazail himself:
- Know your business 100%.
- Find the real market gap.
- Have 6–8 months of savings ready.
- Be prepared to fail, learn, and adapt.
- Take calculated risks, not blind leaps.
- Delegate operational work and focus on expansion and strategies
“Crisis doesn’t end you. It introduces you to your real self.”
Your Biggest Mistake?
Every founder makes mistakes. Fazail admits his biggest ones were around hiring decisions, not firing the wrong people early enough, and not retaining the right ones.
Employee vs. Entrepreneur Mindset: A Crucial Difference
According to Fazail, there are many differences when we talk about employee vs. entrepreneur mindset.
“Employees finish tasks and relax. Entrepreneurs see early task completion as an opportunity to do more.”
Entrepreneurship requires ownership, responsibility, and a relentless desire to improve and expand.
Advice Alert: If you have an employee mindset but dream of entrepreneurship, start shifting your perspective toward ownership and proactive problem-solving.
Planning for a Bright Future: Dreams and Ambitions
Looking ahead, Fazail aims to become one of Pakistan’s top five visa consultancies within five years.
Plans include:
- Expanding student visa services across Asia
- Introducing other visa services
- Hosting educational events and broader marketing campaigns
- Provide state of the art customer service
Life Beyond Business: A Right Balance?
As this famous saying goes, “balance is not something you find, it’s something you create” – Jana Kingsford. So, despite a demanding schedule, Fazail prioritises balance; time for family, sports (he’s a cricket enthusiast!), friends, and hobbies like VR games.
“Balance helps me manage stress. It’s not always easy, but it’s crucial.”
What does a typical day look like for Fazail?
- Morning prayer, gym or swimming
- Mind-mapping his day
- Office work and team sessions
- Cricket practice in the evening
- Gaming or watching light web series
He balances work and life smartly and believes that having hobbies is key to long-term success.
Final Thoughts for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
As a business graduate, hearing this story felt like a masterclass not just in entrepreneurship, but in mindset. Fazail started with doubts, fought through the crisis, and built something meaningful.
What inspired me the most was not the visa approvals or the fast-growing business, but the mindset. He isn’t just running a company, he’s solving problems, mentoring others, and quietly building something meaningful.
For anyone dreaming of starting something of their own, his journey proves one thing loud and clear:
“Resilience, the right people, and belief in Allah—this trio kept me going.”
I hope this story inspires you as much as it inspired me, proving once again, entrepreneurship isn’t about immediate certainty; it’s about courageously stepping into uncertainty and shaping your own success.
OLX Blog – Business Success Stories
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