Entrepreneur and industrial engineer Rayan Alghusoon blends a spirit of innovation with pragmatic thinking. Alghusoon, who has a love for innovation and a solid technical background, has effectively combined management and industrial design principles to create projects that showcase a contemporary vision of progress while combining engineering accuracy with emotional awareness.
According to Rayan, success is the result of preparation, persistent work, and unflinching faith in the concept all the way through. The following are the highlights of an interview with entrepreneur Rayan Alghusoon conducted by Arabisk London in Saudi Arabia:
Rayan Alghusoon’s Self-Concept
Do you think of yourself as an entrepreneur with an engineer’s attitude or as an engineer utilising entrepreneurial tools?
In response, Rayan Alghusoon said, “I see myself as a blend of both, but with a different awareness than I had in my early days.” I learnt how to think systematically and how to view the big picture without ignoring the little details, thanks to industrial engineering. However, it also taught me how to use a tool that I adore: simulation. “I was fascinated by the world of simulation because it simply allows you to experience the future before it happens,” he continues.
Without losing anything authentic, you envision a system, add variables, and observe how it behaves. Over time, I discovered that life itself is like a simulation; every decision is an experiment that replicates a new scenario.
I found that I was still engaging in “simulation,” albeit in a more humane manner, when I started my own business. Before releasing a product, I would visualise the user’s emotions, put myself in their position, and question myself: How is he going to respond? How will he feel? And what happens if this basic component is altered?
I developed a systems design perspective through engineering, but entrepreneurship put it to the test. I now inspire with the heart of an entrepreneur and construct with the mind of an engineer. Whereas an entrepreneur uses people to simulate the future, an engineer uses numbers. I discovered that every successful project starts by imitating consciousness before simulating reality because of the balance between the two.
What guidance would you give yourself if you could return to your first job?
“Don’t worry about money; it’s not everything,” I would tell myself. I was unaware at that point in my life that having money is only a means to an end. Finding your actual passions is more important than sticking to your college major.
Although engineering served as my entry point, it was only one aspect of my quest for self-discovery and not my entire identity. “Let curiosity guide you,” I would advise that young man. Try new things, adapt, and ask questions. What gives you a rush of energy when you wake up? What causes you to become distracted?
These are greater questions than your work title and more significant than your first salary. Building awareness is more critical when beginning a profession than creating a résumé.
Your passion will endure, but money will come later. You could have avoided years of looking for balance if you had concentrated on honing soft skills like empathy, communication, and understanding people. Because you strive to better understand who you are and what you were meant to do, rather than just to survive.
What goes wrong first in a developing project: the market, the team, or the idea?
From my perspective, the team is the lifeblood; if it stops, everything stops. The market may be retargeted, but an idea doesn’t die easily. My current team consists of “Charma, Fhamtk, and Melkah,” who collaborated with me on all of my prior projects.
Each member of the team came from a different background, but we were all bound together by a common belief, making the formation of the team resemble a movie storyline. I got to know one of them because, even before learning the specifics, he believed in the vision and found inspiration in the cause. I met another while volunteering to give a lecture, and a third got in touch with me directly and volunteered to collaborate on the project for free because he thought it was a good concept.
Each team member has a story that helps me understand that this is more than simply work—it’s a shared destiny. For this reason, I constantly say: One of God’s greatest gifts to an entrepreneur is not money or notoriety, but rather a solid, cohesive team that prioritises genuine motivations over shared goals.
Confidence, not the strategy, has rescued us in every project we’ve worked on. Because of this, I think leadership is more about fostering the team spirit that revitalises the dream whenever it fades than it is about overseeing a project.
Entrepreneurship & innovation in Saudi Arabia
What would you say about Saudi Arabia’s entrepreneurial landscape? Is it more prone to prudence or innovation?
Today, Saudi Arabia’s entrepreneurial scene is reaching a level of maturity never seen before. At first, everyone was watching and afraid of failing, so caution won out. However, the scenery is now entirely different. We began with the concept of “trying,” and today we are a culture of “creating.”
As I took part in business programmes and accelerators, I witnessed how the environment changed from simple idea testing projects to a whole structure that genuinely fosters creativity. The Saudi entrepreneur of today thinks, “How can I do it differently?” rather than, “Can I?” Boldness has become ingrained in the culture as a result of this mental shift, and nowadays, people view failure as a crucial step on the path to adulthood.
What, as an innovator, alters people’s perspectives?
True innovation begins with people, not with technology. I wasn’t searching for a feature in Charma that would wow people, but rather for an experience that would re-establish a connection with the fundamentals of communication. Instead of forcing its rhythm on people, I wanted technology to listen to them.
Innovation, in my opinion, is when individuals use technology to remind them of certain elements of themselves. I changed the project’s name from Charma to You since I understood that the individual themselves, not the platform, is what truly matters. I wanted the message to be succinct and straightforward: Be yourself. We can only declare that innovation has really started when technology starts to reflect the self.
Is it possible for artificial intelligence to comprehend and adapt more quickly than humans?
Yes, in terms of analysis, but comprehension is still far behind. While AI can analyse data, it lacks the intention and meaning that distinguish people. I see it as a mirror of human consciousness, reflecting the awareness and intention we imbue in it, rather than just a tool. This statement encapsulates my viewpoint: “I want artificial intelligence to create my art, to teach it how to create what hasn’t yet been born in its imagination.”
Humans learn from the machine, and humans change as a result. When we can educate technology to “imagine,” we will have achieved the pinnacle of combined awareness and technology.
Rayan Alghusoon’s Ventures Demonstrate His Grasp of Finance
Are the legal systems in Saudi Arabia & the Arab world adapting to the rapid advancements in finance and technology?
When divine knowledge and the speed of technology align, they achieve a balance that no strategy can produce on its own. As a result, I think the Kingdom is moving at a speed that aligns with a larger vision—one that has included legislation into the organic development of technical knowledge throughout society—rather than just racing against time.
To put it briefly, technology is developing quickly, yet divine providence makes sure that this development is headed in the proper direction. Every brilliant concept and project that is born at the right time is not a coincidence; rather, it is a timing that is consistent with God’s plan, which is aware of when the soil is ready to give fruit.
What impact has your understanding of finance had on the “Charma,” “Fhamtk,” & “Melkah” projects?
I learnt about people from “Charma,” the market from “Fhamtk,” and a combination of both from “Melkah.” I worked from the heart without a clear financial plan in “Charma,” and I learnt about numbers in “Fhamtk,” and that an idea thrives on sustainability as well as significance. Regarding “Melkah,” it’s the harmony between the two (a cleverly commercial effort and a profoundly human one).
Here, I realised that entrepreneurship unifies awareness and profitability into a single objective rather than separating them.
His Research on Personality Types’ Influence on His Job
Which personality types have you most frequently encountered?
I’ve been watching individuals and their responses for more than ten years. I collected sixteen distinct kinds during a “Personality Types Club” session and asked them the straightforward question, “What do you do when you feel unheard?”
The answers were more truthful than I had anticipated. I realised then that a person is not simply what they say, but also how they respond to pain. I realised that stereotypes indeed exist, even if they are not visible to conscious awareness. This understanding altered my view of individuals, making me see them as layers of feeling that require a nurturing environment rather than as simple job tasks.
What did interacting with the public while working with Careem contribute to your experience?
One of the most influential times in my life was when I worked with Careem. In order to gauge passengers’ interest in learning more about themselves, I offered them a personality test in exchange for a minor ride discount. Many surprised me by refusing the discount and leaving me a gratuity because they had learnt something new about themselves.
I would play kid-friendly music for families to lift their spirits and see how they responded. At that point, I understood that empowering people to understand themselves was more important than technology or management. Charma was born out of those times, the chats among the passengers, and their encouragement to keep going.
What distinguishes or unites the more than 150 gatherings you have organised for the “Personality Types Club”?
Every club meeting has been a journey of self-awareness for everyone. People have arrived with the same zeal for more than a decade: a desire to learn and to discuss themselves without bias. And who doesn’t enjoy discussing themselves? Who doesn’t have a tonne of things to talk about? However, the issue is that there isn’t a safe place for this. This knowledge is made possible by the “Personality Types Club.”
It has created a new language that allows people to talk freely and honestly about themselves. “How Does Everyone Deal with Love?” was the title of the conference I recall. Everyone departed with a greater awareness rather than solutions. The club’s core goal is to turn information into awareness, awareness into conversation, and conversation into healing.
What is the key to Saudi and Arab society’s fascination with self-discovery?
Individuals naturally look for someone who can relate to them. Since it was uncommon in our culture to talk about oneself, this new understanding gave them a language to express their emotions fearlessly. Differences are welcomed rather than condemned, and understanding has evolved into a virtue rather than a sign of selfishness.
Does Generation Z have a common personality type?
The energy and attentiveness of Generation Z are distinct. This generation sees itself in the process of change rather than in labels. Instead of saying, “This is me,” they say, “This is who I am right now.”
I’ve found that the young people at Charma and Melkah don’t fear change since they see it as a natural part of who they are. They are the generation that most comprehends that identity is a space we move inside rather than a box we close. They can be dreamers at times, then suddenly turn pragmatic, but they always stay loyal to who they are.
Generation Z is guiding humanity towards a more profound knowledge of self since it views itself as a collection of options rather than a single form. This generation doesn’t wait for others to tell them who they are; instead, they view reality as an ongoing process of self-discovery. because they are constantly experiencing a different version of themselves.
Melkah Platform: Its Aspirations
Could Melkah be used to target human relationships—such as marriage—in a different way?
“Melkah” is an initiative to reimagine a couple’s connection rather than a conventional marriage app. It is a place that starts with understanding rather than image, with intention rather than appearance, and is intended to blend the warmth of feelings with the knowledge of choice.
We were looking for an experience that balanced spontaneity and seriousness while respecting privacy. From family counselling to documentation via “Nafath,” the entire software is based on this concept: Instead of being a social transaction, marriage should be a journey of consciousness.
What might “Melkah” bring to society & the platform if the government supported it?
This will increase the project’s legitimacy and trust, but more significantly, it will position it as a community endeavour that improves quality of life. A more stable society results from conscious marriage, which is consistent with Saudi Vision 2030’s emphasis on human empowerment as the cornerstone of all progress.
What question do you wish people would ask you but don’t typically ask?
Maybe it’s: Before proving it to the world, what were you trying to prove to yourself?
Before other people saw me, I wanted to see myself. I was looking for a time when I felt that my work was an extension of my soul rather than merely a project. Instead of trying to demonstrate that I was “successful,” I wanted to show that I was leading a genuine life. I was testing myself more than the market in every experience I had, whether it was with Careem, Charma, Fhamtk, or Melkah.
I was curious whether I could sustain my vision amidst changing circumstances. In a statistics-driven world, could my intentions remain pure? This alignment manifests when I encounter someone who intuitively understands me, their eyes filled with unspoken words, leading me to feel a sense of achievement. To me, the height of success occurs when the conscious mind falls silent, allowing emotion to dominate.
In the end, I’m reassuring myself that I’m still on the road I was meant to be on, rather than attempting to prove anything to the outside world.
To sum up, Rayan Alghusoon considers himself to be more than an entrepreneur. He feels that he has progressed from the factual trip of “Careem” to the emotional philosophy of “Melkah,” and from imitating industrial engineering to replicating humanity in technology. His narrative blends reason and religion, emotion and science. His experience may serve as a reminder to some of us that the best ventures are those that are started internally rather than in online retailers, and that entrepreneurship is fundamentally a trip back to oneself rather than a race to success.
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