Meet Ahmed Fageer

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ahmed Fageer. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Ahmed , so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?

Each small success built a little confidence, and each failure taught me what to look for next time. I learned that the fear of messing up is usually worse than the actual mess. Over time, that practice made me more comfortable with the uncertainty of bigger risks, such as quitting my job to start a business, that lead to trusting my ability to handle the result, whatever it is.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

For over a decade, I worked as an environmental laboratory professional, analyzing samples that came in from the field. I understood the science, but I felt removed from the people it impacted. I kept thinking about the families living with the environmental hazards, I was detecting on paper, in their homes and workplaces.

That’s why I left my stable job to start my own asbestos, lead, and mold testing business named Socal Testing. As a biologist, I’m not just a sampler; I bridge the gap between the raw data and the real-world environment. What’s most exciting is translating complex analytical results into clear, actionable insights that protect families and restore their peace of mind.

At the end of the day, my work is about giving people peace of mind. There’s nothing better than helping turn a place of fear back into a safe home. That’s why I got into this field to begin with, and it’s why I get up every day for this work.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I’d say three things made all the difference.

First was my scientific background from the lab. I knew how to get accurate, reliable data, and that became the non-negotiable core of my business. People are trusting you with their health, so there’s no room for “good enough.”

Second was learning to talk to people, not down to them. I had to swap lab jargon for plain, compassionate English. Telling someone their home has a problem is a sensitive moment. Being a clear and calm guide in that stress is just as important as the test results.

And third was resilient problem solving. Starting a business involves dealing with unforeseen problems. My science training taught me to see each mess not as a disaster, but as a puzzle to solve. It’s all just troubleshooting on a bigger scale.

My advice for someone starting out:

• Become obsessed with the quality of your work, no matter how small the task. Double check everything. Let precision become your signature.

• Practice explaining your work to a friend outside your field. Their confused looks are your guide to clearer communication.

• Reframe your mindset. Don’t ask “Why is this happening to me?” but “What can this teach me?” It turns fear of failure into a curiosity for solutions.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

Without a doubt, the person who made the biggest difference was my mentor, Mike Anderson. Back in my field training days, he was the one who mentored me to master field sampling. He practiced client conversations with me until I could translate complex science into plain, compassionate language. Most importantly, he gave me the mindset to “do one tough thing a day,” which built my confidence to take bigger projects.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://socaltest.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socaltest/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/socaltest/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/socaltesting
• Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/socal-testing-san-diego-2
• Other: https://g.page/r/Ca4Yox_5_oRhEBI/review