Rising to the Top

By Sue Arrowsmith ‘06

Amin ’90 and Zahra Rahman ‘94, both FIU Alumni Association lifetime members, are an example of what can be achieved with hard work and determination.

The couple, who has been married for 10 years, own BEL Inc. (Bangladesh Enterprises, Ltd.), one of the largest U.S. importers of blank ceramic and glassware, stainless steel travel mugs, water bottles and pens.

“We have become the largest drink ware company in America, supplying to companies such as Disney, Hark Rock Café, Home Depot, hotels and major theme parks across America,” said Zahra.

BEL, Inc. began with a vision. After earning a master’s degree in business administration in 1990, Amin went to work with his father, who owned a landmark manufacturing plant in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The company specialized in water-slide decals, which can be used for customized printing on anything from model cars to soaps and candles.

When Amin joined his father’s company, it was only producing for the local market. With a goal of exporting on a global scale, the then-22-year-old set out in search of new sources and suppliers in Hong Kong, Thailand and Korea.

Working with his father, Amin said, gave him valuable training that later served as the foundation for running his own business.

“It helped me to better understand the flow of production, the problems and challenges that can occur and how to approach them,” said Amin.

‘We started with absolutely nothing’

In 1992, Amin established BEL, Inc., which he ran from his home office in Doral. Zahra helped him build the business after obtaining her bachelor’s degree in marketing and international business 1994. The young couple would spend long hours preparing sample packages to send to hundreds of companies.

“We started with absolutely nothing, but we both shared a wealth of ambition, desire, confidence, and faith,” said Zahra.

What started as a team of two has grown to become an industry leader. In 2005, Amin and Zahra moved their business into a 150,000-square-foot warehouse next to Miami International Airport. There, they run a 24-hour, seven days a week operation with 230 employees.

Zahra said their “revolutionary” use of Google and Yahoo! to reach more customers rather than just relying on sales representatives has helped them reach the top. Annual sales in 2000 were approximately 5 million, and in 2006 they reached 26 million.

“Hard work, good ethics, self-motivation, confidence, a lot of prayer and a little luck can certainly take you places,” said Zahra.

BEL, Inc. has received numerous awards and recognitions from several domestic and international suppliers for outstanding business achievements, as well as from local vendors such as UPS for obtaining the largest shipping account in Miami.

When not involved with the business, the Rahmans take time to be with their sons, Karim, 5, and Yannik, 2.

They also love to travel. In 2000, they embarked on a trip “around the world,” which included exotic places such as Singapore, Bombay and Bali.

“We feel travel, in general, is knowledge,” said Zahra. “Exposure to new ideas is crucial for us to discover, explore and experience life. Only then can we begin to comprehend business and social interactions.”

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