Hey EcoGardeners! Over the next few weeks we’ll be doing a Meet The Team blog series where we’ll be featuring weekly Q&As from the team members at Ecobloom. We hope you can get to know us better and get a feel for who we are and what makes us tick. First up this week is CEO, Hamza Qadoumi. And before I give too much away, let’s let him speak for himself…
What is your name?
Hamza Qadoumi
What is your background? Where are you from?
Born and raised in the suburbs of Stockholm, Sweden, with roots from Jordan. My background is in Mechanical Engineering with a Masters degree in Innovation Management & Product Development.
What is your role at Ecobloom? Describe it as if you were describing it to a 5-year old (2 sentences or less).
Co-founder and CEO. The person who leads and dreams, and does all the other fluffy stuff 🙂
What is your favorite memory from your time at Ecobloom thus far?
The second we launched the EcoGarden on Kickstarter. I remember it as if it was yesterday. An unforgettable moment! To push the “Launch” button and see people from across the world back our project and help bring the EcoGarden to life.
What is the best thing about working for a start-up?
The people. Working with like-minded people, all with a shared vision of creating a better world for future generations. They become somewhat of a family, and the feeling of building something great together is truly amazing.
If you were an herb, which one would you be, and why?
Hah! Great question. I think I’d like to be basil. They look and smell good!
What is your favorite thing about the Ecogarden?
The “vacation mode”! Knowing that the EcoGarden will feed my fish automatically while I’m away is so nice. And of course the voice assistant. That’s some next level stuff! 😀
Speaking of vacation, where would you like to take a business trip someday?
Hawaii
Explain aquaponics like you would to a 5-year old.
The fish poo, and bacteria breaks it down to nutrients, and then the plants absorb those nutrients. So basically, you feed the fish, the fish feed the plants and the plants feed you! A natural and sustainable ecosystem!
What is your favorite place in Stockholm to work offsite? Have an afterwork? Grab coffee?
So many great places, but I enjoy working at cafés sometimes. Urban Deli is a great place for either work or afterwork, or both!
What is a personal hobby of yours that your coworkers would be surprised to know about?
Watch Netflix. Jokes aside (or?), I don’t really have a “hobby”. I spend most of my days working, and when I am not, I’ll hang out with my family and friends!
What are you most looking forward to happening at Ecobloom in the future?
The amazing and innovative products that we will continue sharing with the world, and the impact that we will make.
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Thanks for helping us to get to know you better, Hamza! You can hear more about Hamza’s story and how he went from amateur aquaponist to Ecobloom CEO in this talk he did at Impact Hub. Have a great weekend and a great week ahead!
