Meet Elyas Daud | President of Insight Screening Solutions

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elyas Daud and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elyas, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The thought process behind starting my business was rooted in identifying a gap or opportunity in the market that I felt passionate about addressing. I conducted thorough research to understand the needs and pain points of potential clients. Additionally, I evaluated my own skills, interests, and experiences to ensure alignment with the business idea.

Once I identified a viable business concept, I developed a clear vision and mission statement to guide the direction of the venture. I outlined specific goals and objectives, both short-term and long-term, and crafted a strategic plan to achieve them.

An underlying motivation arose when my wife and I made the decision to have a child together. It was during this pivotal moment in our lives that the idea of Insight Screening Solutions took root within me. The prospect of embarking on the journey of parenthood simultaneously with building a business ignited a deep sense of determination and purpose.

I envisioned a future where I could not only provide for my growing family but also create something meaningful and enduring. The thought of crafting a successful business from the ground up filled me with excitement and anticipation. It wasn’t just about financial independence; it was about shaping a lifestyle that aligned with my values and aspirations.

The prospect of having control over my day-to-day schedule and earnings was particularly enticing. I yearned for the freedom to prioritize my family while pursuing my entrepreneurial ambitions. This dual pursuit of building a business and nurturing a family fueled my drive to succeed and pushed me to overcome any challenges that lay ahead.

In essence, the decision to start a business coincided with the profound personal milestone of growing a family. It was a journey marked by both anticipation and uncertainty, but it ultimately led to a fulfilling path where I could thrive professionally while cherishing the precious moments with my loved ones.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
What was the thought process behind starting your business?

The thought process behind starting my business was rooted in identifying a gap or opportunity in the market that I felt passionate about addressing. I conducted thorough research to understand the needs and pain points of potential clients. Additionally, I evaluated my own skills, interests, and experiences to ensure alignment with the business idea.

Once I identified a viable business concept, I developed a clear vision and mission statement to guide the direction of the venture. I outlined specific goals and objectives, both short-term and long-term, and crafted a strategic plan to achieve them.

An underlying motivation arose when my wife and I made the decision to have a child together. It was during this pivotal moment in our lives that the idea of Insight Screening Solutions took root within me. The prospect of embarking on the journey of parenthood simultaneously with building a business ignited a deep sense of determination and purpose.

I envisioned a future where I could not only provide for my growing family but also create something meaningful and enduring. The thought of crafting a successful business from the ground up filled me with excitement and anticipation. It wasn’t just about financial independence; it was about shaping a lifestyle that aligned with my values and aspirations.

The prospect of having control over my day-to-day schedule and earnings was particularly enticing. I yearned for the freedom to prioritize my family while pursuing my entrepreneurial ambitions. This dual pursuit of building a business and nurturing a family fueled my drive to succeed and pushed me to overcome any challenges that lay ahead.

In essence, the decision to start a business coincided with the profound personal milestone of growing a family. It was a journey marked by both anticipation and uncertainty, but it ultimately led to a fulfilling path where I could thrive professionally while cherishing the precious moments with my loved ones.

How does your tenant screening company help the community or the world socially?

Insight Screening Solution’s plays a significant role in promoting safety, security, and stability within communities by ensuring qualified individuals are granted access to rental properties. Here’s how we contribute to the community and society socially:

1. Safer Communities: By conducting comprehensive background checks on prospective tenants, we help landlords identify individuals with criminal histories or problematic rental backgrounds. This helps prevent potential issues such as property damage, disturbances, or criminal activity within neighborhoods, contributing to safer and more peaceful communities.
2. Protecting Landlords and Property Managers: Our screening services mitigate the risk of financial loss for landlords and property managers by identifying applicants who have a history of late payments, evictions, or property damage. This helps property owners make informed decisions and reduces the likelihood of rental income loss or costly legal disputes.
3. Supporting Fair Housing Practices: We adhere to fair housing laws and regulations to ensure that all applicants are treated equitably and without discrimination based on factors such as race, gender, religion, or familial status. By promoting fair housing practices, we contribute to building inclusive and diverse communities where everyone has equal access to housing opportunities.
4. Preventing Identity Theft and Fraud: Our verification processes help prevent identity theft and rental application fraud by confirming the authenticity of applicants’ identities, employment history, and financial status. This protects both landlords and tenants from potential financial harm and enhances trust in the rental process.
5. Encouraging Responsible Tenancy: By encouraging responsible tenancy through thorough screening and verification processes, we help foster a culture of accountability and respect among renters. This benefits landlords, tenants, and the broader community by promoting positive relationships and maintaining the integrity of rental properties.

Insight Screening Solution’s contributes to building stronger, safer, and more inclusive communities by facilitating fair, transparent, and responsible rental practices that benefit both landlords and tenants alike.

How do you think about risk. What role has taking risks played in your life/career?

I view risk as an inherent and essential aspect of both life and career advancement. While some risks may seem daunting, calculated and strategic risk-taking can lead to significant growth, innovation, and personal development. Here’s how I approach risk and the role it has played in my life and career:

1. Assessment and Analysis: Before taking any risk, I carefully assess the potential benefits and consequences involved. I analyze the probability of success, the potential impact on my goals, and any potential downsides. This helps me make informed decisions and minimize unnecessary exposure to risk.
2. Embracing Opportunity: I believe that risk and opportunity often go hand in hand. Throughout my career, I’ve encountered situations where taking calculated risks has opened up new opportunities for growth, learning, and advancement. Whether it’s pursuing a new job opportunity, launching a business venture, or stepping out of my comfort zone, I approach these opportunities with an open mind and a willingness to take calculated risks.
3. Learning from Failure: Not every risk will lead to success, and that’s okay. Failure is an inevitable part of the risk-taking process, but it also presents valuable learning opportunities. Each setback provides insights into what went wrong and how I can improve in the future. By embracing failure as a natural part of the journey, I’ve been able to grow stronger, more resilient, and more adaptable in the face of adversity.
4. Innovation and Creativity: Taking risks often involves thinking outside the box and exploring unconventional solutions to problems. In my career, I’ve found that some of the most innovative ideas and breakthroughs have come from embracing risk and challenging the status quo. By pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and taking calculated risks, I’ve been able to drive positive change and innovation in both my personal and professional endeavors.

For me taking risks is essential for growth, innovation, and personal development. By approaching risk with a balanced mindset, strategic planning, and a willingness to learn from both success and failure, I’ve been able to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and achieve meaningful progress in my life and career.

What do you think is the most important thing you’ve done as a parent in terms of the impact on your children?

Reflecting on my journey as a parent, I believe the most significant impact I’ve had on my children stems from the consistent demonstration of unconditional love and unwavering support throughout their lives. This foundational element has provided them with a sense of security, belonging, and self-worth that serves as the bedrock for their emotional well-being and personal development.

By prioritizing their emotional needs and fostering an environment of trust and open communication, I’ve cultivated a strong bond with my children built on mutual respect and understanding. This has enabled them to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and confidence, knowing that they can always turn to me for guidance, comfort, and encouragement.

Moreover, I’ve strived to model the values and virtues that I hope to instill in my children, such as empathy, integrity, and perseverance. Through my actions and interactions, I’ve shown them the importance of treating others with kindness and compassion, standing up for what they believe in, and never giving up on their dreams.

Ultimately, I believe that the most important thing I’ve done as a parent is to provide my children with a strong foundation of love, support, and guidance that empowers them to become confident, compassionate individuals who are equipped to navigate life’s challenges with grace and resilience. This legacy of love and values will continue to shape their lives and impact the world around them for years to come.

What is the most important factor behind your success and the success of Insight Screening Solutions?

The most important factor behind both my personal success and the success of Insight Screening Solutions is our unwavering commitment to excellence and integrity in everything we do. This commitment permeates every aspect of our operations, from the quality of our services to the relationships we build with our clients.

At Insight Screening Solutions, we prioritize accuracy, reliability, and professionalism in conducting background and tenant screenings. We understand the critical role our services play in helping businesses make informed hiring decisions and landlords select trustworthy tenants. Therefore, we go above and beyond to ensure that our screening processes are thorough, compliant with regulations, and tailored to meet the unique needs of each client.

Furthermore, we place a strong emphasis on building trust and fostering long-term partnerships with our clients. We strive to understand their specific requirements and provide personalized solutions that address their concerns effectively. By delivering exceptional service and consistently exceeding expectations, we have earned a reputation as a trusted partner in the screening industry.

Additionally, our success is also attributed to our dedicated team of professionals who are passionate about delivering results and making a positive impact. We invest in ongoing training and development to ensure that our team stays abreast of industry trends, regulations, and best practices, enabling us to maintain our competitive edge and deliver value to our clients.

Overall, the key to our success lies in our unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, and customer satisfaction. By upholding these principles, we have built a strong foundation for growth and positioned Insight Screening Solutions as a leader in the screening industry.

How to know whether to keep going or to give up?

Knowing whether to persevere or to give up on a pursuit can be a difficult decision, I consider the following guidelines:

1. Evaluate Progress: Assess the progress you’ve made towards your goal. If you’re consistently moving forward, even if progress is slow, it may be worth continuing. However, if you find yourself stuck in a cycle of stagnation or regression despite your efforts, it might be time to reconsider.
2. Consider Alternatives: Explore alternative strategies or solutions that could help you overcome obstacles or challenges. If you’ve exhausted all viable alternatives and still face insurmountable barriers, it may be a sign that it’s time to let go.
3. Assess Impact: Reflect on the potential impact of your decision to continue or give up. Consider the long-term implications for yourself, your stakeholders, and any others affected by your actions. If the potential benefits outweigh the costs and sacrifices involved in persevering, it may be worth pushing through. Conversely, if continuing would result in significant detriment to your well-being or the well-being of others, it may be prudent to step back.
4. Listen to Your Gut: Trust your instincts and intuition. Pay attention to how you feel about the situation and whether continuing or giving up aligns with your values, passions, and priorities.
5. Seek Feedback: Seek input and advice from trusted mentors, peers, or advisors who can offer a fresh perspective on your situation. They may provide valuable insights or ask probing questions that help you gain clarity.
6. Reevaluate Goals: Periodically reassess your goals and objectives to ensure they still align with your values, passions, and priorities. Sometimes, circumstances change, and what once seemed like a worthy pursuit may no longer hold the same significance.

Ultimately, the decision to keep going or give up is deeply personal and depends on a variety of factors unique to your situation. By carefully considering your progress, exploring alternatives, assessing the impact, listening to your intuition, seeking feedback, and reevaluating your goals, you can make a thoughtful and informed choice that serves your best interests.

How has your work life balance changed over time? How you think about the balance?

My work-life balance has evolved significantly over time, influenced by various factors such as career progression, personal priorities, and shifting life circumstances. Initially, as I focused on establishing my career and achieving professional milestones, work often took precedence over other aspects of my life. I dedicated long hours to my job, sometimes sacrificing personal time and relationships in pursuit of success.

However, as I gained more experience and perspective, I realized the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between work and other aspects of life. I began to prioritize self-care, leisure activities, and spending quality time with loved ones. I also recognized the value of pursuing interests and hobbies outside of work, which provided me with fulfillment and helped alleviate stress.

Over time, I’ve adopted a more holistic approach to work-life balance, striving to integrate my professional responsibilities with my personal well-being and relationships. I’ve become more mindful of setting boundaries, managing my time effectively, and prioritizing activities that align with my values and priorities.

I now view work-life balance as an ongoing process of adjustment and prioritization, rather than a static state to be achieved. It’s about finding harmony and fulfillment in all areas of life, recognizing that balance may look different for each individual and may vary depending on life circumstances.

I strive to maintain a balanced approach to life that allows me to pursue my professional ambitions while also nurturing my relationships, taking care of my physical and mental health, and enjoying the things that bring me joy and fulfillment.

Why did I pursue a creative career in tenant screening?

While tenant screening might not seem like the most obviously creative field, I found that there was a unique opportunity to innovate and create value in an industry that’s traditionally been quite stagnant. My background in creative problem-solving and attention to detail lent itself well to the nuances of tenant screening. I saw an opportunity to bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to the process, whether it was through developing more efficient screening algorithms, designing user-friendly interfaces, or implementing novel data analysis techniques. Ultimately, pursuing a creative career in tenant screening allowed me to combine my passion for creativity with the practicalities of building a reliable and effective screening solution that truly meets the needs of landlords and property managers.

How do you define success?

Success, to me, is about achieving a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction in both personal and professional aspects of life. It’s not solely measured by external accomplishments or material wealth but rather by the alignment between one’s actions and values, the positive impact made on others, and the continual pursuit of growth and self-improvement. Success encompasses achieving goals that are meaningful and purposeful, whether they be related to career achievements, personal relationships, health and well-being, or contributions to the community. It’s about finding a balance that allows for continuous growth and happiness while staying true to oneself and making a meaningful difference in the world.

What makes you happy?

I find happiness through a blend of personal connections, professional achievements, and the freedom to pursue my passions. Living in the present enables me to treasure moments spent with loved ones. Whether it’s the simple joys of accompanying my children to school or sharing laughter over a meal with family and friends, these experiences fill me with contentment.

Moreover, achieving goals, such as launching Insight Screening Solutions or reaching revenue milestones, fuels my sense of accomplishment. The autonomy to shape my schedule and make decisions aligns with my desire for independence and fulfillment. Additionally, I find immense satisfaction in fostering creativity and innovation, whether it’s in problem-solving or bringing ideas to fruition.

In summary, happiness for me stems from a harmonious balance of family, professional growth, autonomy, and the joy of creative expression. These elements collectively contribute to a fulfilling and meaningful life journey.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Day 1: Arrival and Exploration

Morning: Welcome brunch at a cozy local cafe to catch up and plan our adventures.
Afternoon: Explore the vibrant streets of San Francisco & Marin County, visiting iconic landmarks and taking in the sights.
Evening: Dinner at Saison featuring local cuisine, followed by cocktails at a rooftop bar overlooking the city skyline.

Day 2: Cultural Immersion

Morning: Visit a museum or art gallery to appreciate the local culture and creativity in Napa County.
Afternoon: Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the botanical gardens or a scenic park.
Evening: Attend a live performance, such as a concert, theater show, or comedy club, for some entertainment and laughs.

Day 3: Outdoor Adventure

Morning: Embark on a hiking or biking adventure in Marin County.
Afternoon: Picnic lunch by a picturesque lake or waterfall, followed by some relaxation and swimming.
Evening: Back in town, dine at a cozy bistro featuring farm-to-table cuisine, followed by drinks around a bonfire under the stars.

Day 4: Food and Drink Tour

Morning: Indulge in a gourmet breakfast at a renowned bakery or brunch spot known for its decadent dishes.
Afternoon: Explore the local food scene with a guided culinary tour, sampling delicacies from street food vendors to upscale restaurants in Oakland/Alameda/Berkeley.
Evening: Take a cocktail-making class or visit a craft brewery for some hands-on fun and tasting sessions.

Day 5: Day Trip

Morning: Venture out of to the wine country in Sonoma and Napa County for a day trip to nearby attractions, such as a winery tour, historical site, or scenic coastal town.
Afternoon: Enjoy a leisurely lunch at a charming countryside inn or seaside restaurant.
Evening: Return to the city for a relaxed dinner at the Restaurant in Auberge Du Soleil.

Day 6: Wellness and Relaxation

Morning: Start the day with a rejuvenating yoga or meditation session.
Afternoon: Treat ourselves to a spa day, with massages, facials, and other pampering treatments.
Evening: Have a healthy dinner at a vegan restaurant or juice bar, followed by a sunset walk along the beach.

Day 7: Farewell and Reflection

Morning: Brunch at a trendy café to reminisce about our unforgettable week together.
Afternoon: Explore any remaining sights or attractions on our bucket list.
Evening: Bid farewell with a gourmet dinner at a fine dining restaurant, toasting to the memories made and the adventures to come.

Throughout the week, we’ll also make time to connect with locals, discover hidden gems, and embrace spontaneous moments of fun and laughter. This itinerary combines the best of local culture, outdoor adventures, culinary delights, relaxation, and exploration to ensure my best friend has an unforgettable experience in the area.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
When reflecting on my journey with Insight Screening Solutions, three individuals stand out as pivotal influences: my wife, my father, and my daughter.

My wife’s unwavering support has been indispensable in the launch and growth of my company. Her encouragement and dedication have been fundamental in navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship and propelling Insight Screening Solutions forward.

The driving force behind my success has been my father. Since a young age, there has been a profound desire within me to demonstrate to my dad that his son is capable of succeeding in a manner he would respect. This desire has been a constant motivator, spurring me on to overcome obstacles and strive for excellence.

Coinciding with the inception of Insight Screening Solutions was the decision my wife and I made to expand our family. We welcomed our daughter, Layla, into the world. This period marked a significant chapter in my life, as I embraced the challenge of not only nurturing a growing business but also being an engaged and present father to my children.

In summary, the unwavering support of my wife, the inspiration from my father, and the responsibilities of fatherhood have played integral roles in shaping the success of Insight Screening Solutions.

Website: www.insightapplicant.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/rentalinsight/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/insightscreeningsolutions

Twitter: www.twitter.com/ResidentInsight

Facebook: www.facebook.com/InsightScreening/

Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCGN2jUimeYKDpDkUsnDEjgg

Image Credits
Not Applicable