Today we’d like to introduce you to Hash (Hashmatullah) Salih.
Hi Hash (Hashmatullah), thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey has been shaped by hard work, perseverance, and a desire to build something of my own. I came to the United States with a strong belief in creating opportunities through dedication and continuous learning. Over the years, I built a career in the construction industry and currently work in quality management on large-scale healthcare projects, where I have been fortunate to contribute to complex and meaningful developments.
While I enjoyed my professional career, I always had an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for creating spaces that bring people together. That passion led me to establish Oxus Billiards, Snooker & Hookah Lounge. Turning the idea into reality required significant personal investment, extensive planning, navigating permits and inspections, and overcoming numerous challenges along the way. There were many moments that tested my patience and determination, but each obstacle strengthened my commitment to the vision.
Today, Oxus Lounge is a place where people from diverse backgrounds can gather, socialize, enjoy billiards and snooker, and build connections within the community. Seeing customers enjoy the atmosphere and create lasting memories makes the journey worthwhile.
Looking back, the path has not always been easy, but it has been incredibly rewarding. My story is one of balancing a demanding professional career with entrepreneurship, embracing challenges, and staying committed to long-term goals. I believe success comes from persistence, continuous improvement, and never being afraid to pursue a dream, even when the road ahead is uncertain.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting Oxus Lounge was far from a smooth road. Like many small business owners, I quickly learned that turning an idea into a successful business requires much more than passion and hard work.
One of the biggest challenges was navigating the permitting, licensing, and regulatory requirements. There were numerous approvals, inspections, and unexpected delays that affected our timeline and required constant coordination with local agencies and contractors. Each step seemed to bring a new obstacle that had to be addressed before moving forward.
Financing was another challenge. Building a business requires a significant investment, and I committed personal savings while carefully managing costs to bring the vision to life. Every decision had to be made thoughtfully to ensure the business remained financially sustainable.
Balancing entrepreneurship with a full-time career was also demanding. While working in construction quality management on large healthcare projects, I spent evenings and weekends planning, coordinating vendors, solving problems, and preparing for the lounge’s opening. There were many long days and late nights.
Despite these challenges, each obstacle became a learning opportunity. The experience taught me patience, resilience, and the importance of staying focused on long-term goals. Looking back, the difficulties were an important part of the journey, and overcoming them has made the success of the business even more meaningful.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Professionally, I am a Civil Engineer with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and work in construction quality management, specializing in quality control, inspections, and process improvement on large and complex healthcare construction projects. My role involves ensuring that work is completed in accordance with design requirements, industry standards, and project specifications while coordinating with owners, designers, contractors, and inspectors throughout the construction process.
Over the years, I have developed a reputation for being detail-oriented, solutions-driven, and committed to continuous improvement. I enjoy finding ways to improve processes, leverage technology, and create systems that help teams deliver higher-quality projects more efficiently. I have been involved in implementing digital quality management tools, developing inspection workflows, and helping teams improve accountability and project documentation.
One of the accomplishments I am most proud of is contributing to major healthcare projects that will serve communities for decades to come. Knowing that my work helps create facilities where people receive care and treatment gives a deeper sense of purpose to what I do. I am also proud of successfully balancing a demanding engineering career while building and operating my own business, Oxus Billiards, Snooker & Hookah Lounge.
What sets me apart is my combination of technical expertise, practical field experience, and an entrepreneurial mindset. As a civil engineer, I understand both the technical and operational sides of complex projects. I am always looking for opportunities to improve processes, solve problems, and create value, whether on a construction project or in my own business. I believe that success comes from persistence, adaptability, and a commitment to lifelong learning, and those principles have guided me throughout my career.
What’s next?
Looking ahead, my focus is on continuing to grow in both my professional engineering career and as an entrepreneur. In my current role in construction quality management, I aim to further develop my expertise in quality systems, digital construction tools, and process improvement. I am particularly interested in how technology can improve project delivery, reduce rework, and enhance collaboration across large, complex healthcare projects.
At the same time, I plan to continue growing Oxus Billiards, Snooker & Hookah Lounge into a well-established and recognized local business. My goal is to further improve the customer experience, strengthen operations, and build a strong community-oriented brand that people consistently enjoy and recommend. In the long term, I may explore expanding the concept or developing additional business opportunities in the hospitality or entertainment space.
Additionally, I am currently in the process of setting up a general contracting company in construction, which aligns with my civil engineering background and experience in quality management. This step represents a natural progression for me as I expand my involvement in the construction industry beyond project-level quality control into broader business ownership and execution.
I am also exploring the possibility of franchising my lounge concept to other cities, and potentially other states, as a long-term vision. The goal would be to replicate the model in a structured and sustainable way while maintaining the same quality, atmosphere, and customer experience that define the current location.
Overall, I am focused on steady, sustainable growth rather than quick changes. I want to continue building on the foundation I have already established—professionally as a civil engineer and personally as a business owner—while staying open to new opportunities that align with my skills, interests, and long-term vision. For me, the future is about growth, stability, and creating lasting value in everything I am involved in.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.oxussports.com
- Instagram: oxus billiards snooker & hookah lounge
- Facebook: oxus billiards snooker & hookah lounge
- Other: TikTok oxus billiards snooker & hookah lounge
