Biography of Parvez Akther: Founder and CEO of
Biography of Parvez Akther:
Early Beginnings in Bangladesh
Parvez Akther's journey into the tech world began in
Bangladesh, a country considered to be a developing nation with limited
resources. Growing up in such an environment, Parvez faced challenges due to
the lack of internet access, technical resources, and infrastructure. However,
this did not deter him from pursuing his interests. His early exposure to
technology was shaped by the few resources he had access to, which helped him
develop a passion for computers and the internet.
The First Computer and Discovery
In 2005, Parvez completed his high school education and
received his first computer. Like many other children, he initially spent time
playing games and exploring the computer. However, his curiosity soon led him
beyond mere entertainment. Instead of just watching movies or cartoons, Parvez
began editing them using Windows Media Manager, a basic video editing tool that
came with the Windows software. This was his first step into the world of
digital media, and it sparked an interest in learning more about video editing
and animation.
Learning Animations and Flash
Driven by his newfound passion for editing, Parvez began
experimenting with animations. He taught himself Flash and ActionScript, diving
into creating simple animations. This was a hands-on experience for him, where
he learned everything from scratch. His interest in Flash animations marked the
beginning of his journey into web development, as he transitioned from video
editing to learning coding and web technologies on his own.
Discovering Web Development
As Parvez explored the world of animation, web development
soon captured his attention. He started learning the basics of web development,
including HTML and CSS. In 2005, when WordPress and Joomla were new content
management systems, he discovered these platforms and began experimenting with
them. The simplicity of these tools fascinated him, and he realized their
potential for creating websites without needing to code everything from the
ground up.
The First Hosting Experience
Eager to put his new skills into practice, Parvez attended a
trade show where he purchased his first hosting plan. At the time, he didn’t
know how to set up WordPress or Joomla on his own computer, so he connected to
his hosting account using a dial-up connection. The setup process was
challenging, as it took him an entire day to get everything up and running via
FTP software. Despite the difficulties, this experience marked a pivotal moment
in his journey into web development.
Starting His First Job
Before beginning college, Parvez had the opportunity to work
for one of his elder brothers' companies. He took this job and spent his days
and nights building websites for the company. This hands-on work experience
allowed him to refine his web development skills, and he began to realize that
he had a natural talent for it. These early years laid the foundation for what
would become a successful career in the tech industry.
Moving to College and Freelancing
After securing a place in college, Parvez decided to
continue his studies while pursuing his growing interest in web development. By
this time, he had already gained practical experience in the field, so he began
freelancing on platforms like Elance, Get a Freelancer, and Get a Coder. His
freelancing projects started small, but they gave him the flexibility to
explore his passion for tech while continuing his education.
Balancing Studies and Freelancing
While enrolled in college in Malaysia, Parvez found that his
freelancing work began to take up more of his time. The projects he worked on
were not just small jobs anymore—they were becoming more substantial and
lucrative. Balancing his studies and his growing freelancing business became
increasingly difficult, and Parvez found himself more focused on his work than
on his formal education.
Biography of Parvez Akther: Founder and CEO of ThriveDesk- Entrepreneur/customer service platform for SaaS businesses/startup/age/net worth
Dropping Out to Focus on Freelancing
As Parvez's freelancing business grew, he made the bold
decision to drop out of his higher studies to pursue his passion full-time. He
realized that the opportunities in web development were expanding, and he could
build a successful career by focusing entirely on freelancing. This was a
defining moment in his life, where he chose to follow his entrepreneurial
instincts rather than continue his academic journey.
Founding ThemeXpert
In July 2010, Parvez took the first step toward building his
own business by founding ThemeXpert, a top Joomla design studio. His company
quickly gained recognition in the Joomla community, empowering millions of
users with their products. With a focus on design and development for Joomla
websites, Parvez and his team created high-quality themes and tools that became
essential for web developers using Joomla.
The Birth of ThriveDesk
In January 2021, Parvez founded ThriveDesk, a customer
service platform aimed at helping SaaS businesses provide excellent support.
ThriveDesk quickly gained traction, with an impressive $170,000 in license
sales during its initial launch. As the CEO of ThriveDesk, Parvez’s mission was
clear: to help small businesses enhance their customer support and improve
overall customer experience. His company continues to be a leader in the B2B
SaaS industry.
Mentoring and Sharing Knowledge
Throughout his career, Parvez has not only focused on
building successful businesses but also on mentoring fellow entrepreneurs. He
shares valuable marketing and business strategies with others, helping them
grow their startups. Parvez’s journey from a self-taught web developer to a
national award-winning entrepreneur highlights his passion for innovation, his
commitment to helping others succeed, and his drive to make a positive impact
in the tech and customer service industries.
Timeline for Parvez Akther
2005: Completed high school and received his first computer,
beginning his journey into video editing and animation.
2005: Taught himself Flash and ActionScript, marking the
start of his interest in animation and web development.
2005: Discovered WordPress and Joomla, beginning to
experiment with content management systems.
First Hosting Experience: Purchased his first hosting plan
at a trade show, setting up WordPress and Joomla on a dial-up connection,
marking a significant milestone in his web development journey.
Pre-College: Worked for one of his elder brothers'
companies, building websites and refining his skills.
College (Malaysia): Juggled studies and freelancing on
platforms like Elance, Get a Freelancer, and Get a Coder.
Dropped Out of College: Focused full-time on freelancing as
his web development business grew.
July 2010: Founded ThemeXpert, a Joomla design studio,
quickly gaining recognition in the Joomla community.
January 2021: Founded ThriveDesk, a customer service
platform for SaaS businesses, achieving $170,000 in license sales during its
initial launch.
Ongoing: Continues to grow ThriveDesk and mentor other
entrepreneurs, sharing his knowledge and strategies to help others succeed in
tech and business.
