Building a Future, One Stitch at a Time
By C. Naseer Ahmad

 

Over a million luxury cars are sold in the US every year, according to experts who track statistics. It seems to be a consistent trend upwards. People buy them for different reasons, some for feeling they have arrived, others for tax write-offs and some just for the comfortable feeling of driving expensive cars on the nation’s highways.

According to trusted resources like the Kelley Blue Book, there was a record demand for used cars in 2021, despite high prices.

Pride of ownership of such vehicles makes people go to great lengths for the maintenance and appearance of their cars. Dents and scratches not only make the appearance of such cars less attractive for the beholders of beauties of their possessions, not to mention the resale value of the luxury cars.

For dents and scratches, there are body shops all over the country who can match the paint and take care of the eye sores on cars.

But, even if a luxury car looks great from the outside, if there is a small tear in the leather of a seat in a luxury car, any potential buyer might look for other options. Fixing such defects requires special skills, patience, and hard work. This is a niche market that is being serviced by Babar Hussein, an enterprising immigrant from near Niaz Beg Lahore Pakistan.

Without much formal education, Babar arrived in the Washington area by way of Kuwait on a visitor visa. He found employment in Arlington, Virginia during his stay. His employer liked his work ethic so much that he sponsored Babar for an immigrant visa – the sought after ‘green card.’

In 2006, Babar established Auto Upholstery in Lorton, Virginia. He weathered the severe economic downturn brought about by the 2008 financial crisis. Since then, Babar’s business continues to service owners and car dealers of luxury vehicles in the Washington metropolitan area.

Babar is the father of four children, one of whom is going to college. He is able to balance his faith and business all the while building a future for his kids, one stitch at a time.