With a passion in basketball and fashion, we bring into the limelight 22 year old Abdus Salaam who is always up for challenges and risk taking. A very determined young man, who’s not only  got his own clothing brand – Clueman which offers the finest quality and selection in shirts, shorts, tees but also currently coaching for basketball at one of Sri Lanka’s top schools. 

Hi, tell us a little about your clothing line and your line of work as a coach. 

It began with a need to give quality and class for men's clothing. I recollect before I began the brand, I used to go looking for the principle showrooms in Colombo. At whatever point I searched for plain quality garments I generally got baffled as it wasn't available in the market. The inclination in me created and after that it turned out as Clueman; the quality reveals its class. A brand which caters quality clothing for men. In simple we don't only sell products, we sell a valued experience to the customer. We introduce new paths of classy clothing. Our products are t-shirts, shirts, shorts and pants. 

In terms of coaching, I began playing basketball in the year 2003 and from that point forward nothing simply tumbled from the tree. I worked for my place and I worked for who I am presently. I needed to undergo 2 surgeries in my knee and afterward that kept me far from playing ball. I had my inspiration boosting up and after that I needed to mentor to till I recoup. It all started when I took over as the assistant coach role at the British School of Colombo for the u-13 & u-15 Girls & Boys. I currently coach at the Thurstan College along with an old team mate. Thurston College Basketball team climbed up to the 3rd place in the all island c- division basketball tournament. It was their first year experience. 

What inspired you to be an entrepreneur at a young age? 

I remember I had good jobs under my belt as a starter in the career. As time went by I understood that I never fitted in as I had other plans in my mind. I never liked to experience inside the box theories where you get directed by folks. Clueman was an answer or the new beginning. A medicine to cure the fashion market locally - local brands. The design and the quality which enlightens a person when he wears it. At Clueman we follow the value for money strategy. This is our mantra and it will be followed as customers are soul. 

Every bad experience in my life about clothing has an impact on Clueman. So I follow certain planned rules so that my brand doesn’t fall in to the category of other brands. The simplicity just speaks for itself with all character. I started in the year 2013- Aug. 
Secondly, benchmarking the famous brands. It allows you think ahead on their way of doing things in the market. They all started small and the good thing is that they are humans like us. Some of the major brands in the world are being produced in our country for lesser rates. Why cannot we improvise? Why cannot we build up a Lankan brand and hit the international market with all quality. The expertise we put in to some other country brands can also be directed to the local brands to uplift and introduce it to the international market. The lion flag in pride as always. 

What do you believe in strongly that most people will disagree with? 

Nothing is for free. You need to work for it regardless of the possibility that it's little and afterward you will esteem the result regardless. Most of the people wait for things to happen in life like the apple tumbling from the tree. Try not to sit tight for things to happen. Begin from some place from some point, from some inch. You need to decide what you need? Are you going to rest, party, waste time or continue pushing yourself till you see the seed develop into a plant? Once you are in the field of business it's all in or all out. So be passionate and obsessed. Have the willingness to come up and compete no matter how many times you fall. Try not to give individuals a chance to jab a finger at your face and rate you low. Try different things in life, different routines etc. If you don't know how to sing, learn how to sing. If you don't know how to play cricket, learn how to play. If you don't know how to climb mountains, experience it and then learn it. If you don't know to swim, go learn to swim. Don't have holes in life. Experience everything you see no matter how hard it is, you are not an average person like others, you are more than that. That's what I believe in. 

What does your closet look like? 

Well, not a mess anymore. Keep what you need and don't bother about it. It's all plain. Mainly blacks, whites and grays. It also has the sportswear side with all kits and jerseys. 

What would you say is your greatest achievement so far? 

My greatest achievement so far is that I am doing what I like. The things I do aren’t marked as working days. It's living with all heart. 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? 

I don't shoot for smaller expectations. Well, indeed own 2-3 showrooms and be among the best brands in Sri Lanka whilst not forgetting my mission, vision and values. It's always thrilling being an entrepreneur. It's all 100% risk but the outcome can be a great win or a great loss. It's part and parcel of the game and experience values. 

In terms of coaching, to have my own academy/club and then build good teams to win championships. 

What have you got to say to the youth of Sri Lanka? 

Don't wait for things to happen. I used to work two times a day. In the morning I had the Clueman operations and then in night I had my HSBC job. I slept for 4 hours or less. People there used to have dreams about starting up their own and then to grow by their own. They just had the idea but never took steps or the initiative to make the dream come true. I still remember them and their pain in lives. 

So don't wait for the time or the opportunity. Be a practitioner and experience everything you see no matter how difficult it is. In the end you cannot say you never got a chance to do what you liked or try something new. Do it with all your heart and have targets to track your growth. Find your motivation and get inspired. 

11 Things You Need To Know About Abdus Salaam 

1. Favourite food – Any type of healthy food 

2. Favourite movie – Unbroken 

3. Country you liked and visited – USA 

4. Describe yourself in one word – Hardworking 

5. Favourite TV show – Gotham 

6. The book you read last – Like a Virgin by Richard Branson 

7. What’s your favourite time of the day – Morning 

8.Favourite author – William Shakespeare 

9. Favourite drink – Redbull 

10. Favourite singer – Enrique Iglesias 

11. Favourite car – Shelby 427 Cobra 

By Zainab Faizal