Bävikaršu Árazam

Bävikaršu Muhammad Árazam (born 17 December 1955) is a Seratofian billionaire, , and of. He is also the largest in the company which is listed in the Borb's Fortune Global 100 list in 2019, and Seratof's most valuable company by assets and income in 2020. He is he richest man in Seratof, the Xth richest person in Artemia, and the Xth richest person in Anterra.

Árazam was born in Šmandoví in eastern Seratof as the fourth of six children. During his youth, he gained a strong interest in and  at an early age, and began to study them during his spare time at the library in Äxtarnjašlam. He graduated from the Imam Tarxäli Technological Institute in 1976 and began to form his conceptual investing strategies and portofolios. During his time working at Kajášku Automobiles in Ljana, he would spend half his paychecks on various investments. In 1981, he partnered with Karja Sudhíra to form a small-time holding. His successes led him to acquire many local factories and companies in his native Aršala. In 2003, the company acquired Kajášku Automobiles, and in 2009 finally managed to acquire a majority stake at the Central Artemian Bank, one of the largest banks in Seratof.

Árazam has been the chairman of Vidunta group since its initial founding in 1981. He is noted for his value investments and trading. He is also a frugalist despite being the richest man in Seratof. Árazam is also a noted philantrophist, and has pledged to give away 99.9% of his wealth to charities and other foundations.

Early life
Bävikaršu Árazam was born on the 17th of December 1955 to an ethnic Seratofian family in the small village of Šmandoví. He began his elementary education at the local village school, and continued on to graduate from the Äxtarnjašlam Middle School no. 2 in 1969. In 1972, he graduated from Äxtarnjašlam High School no. 1 with distinction, and was able to secure a spot at the prestigious Imam Tarxäli Technological Institute, majoring in. Initially, Árazam wanted to go straight into business and help his father conduct trades at the local market, but was barred by his oown father who instructed him to go to university.

Árazam has displayed interest in business, investing, and trade from a young age, occasionally accompanying his father to the capital of Aršala to sell their potatoes. He was also inspired by the numerous shops and businesses which existed in Äxtarnjašlam, and wished that he could someday own a house in the city. During his first visit to the public library in 1961, he read a book titled , which increased his interest in the subject. Initially, he did some small-time ventures such as selling bars and  to his friends at school, and selling newspapers in Äxtarnjašlam during holidays. During high school, he would perform several deliveries for companies in his spare time and make extra money by helping the factory conduct other on-site activities.

By the time he was about to graduate High School in 1972, he had accumulated 1,500 Zakkas, in which he returned the money to his father who ran a small potato farm by their house. Árazam bought a and other farming equipment, as well as purchasing adjacent land for the potato farm. He also convinced some of his friends to help in the farm for a wage in tending the crops. Within months, the potato harvest of the family tripled, and for the first time in the farm's history, the potato shipments needed to be transported by truck. In 1973, the family made more than 15,000 Zakkas, of which Árazam got 6,000 in return for his contributions.

Árazam's interest in the stock market began when the family took a trip to the capital Azxara to see relatives in 1966. Then aged 10, Árazam, who was touring the historic district of the city, stumbled upon the Azxara Stock Exchange, the oldest and one of the most prestigious stock exchanges in Central Artemia. He insisted on buying several shares for himself and his younger brother Markus. He eventually bought 5 shares in Kajášku Automobiles for himself and 3 for his brother. He sold the stock in 1973 at five times of what the stock's price initially was.

In 1972, Árazam graduated from high school, and due to his good grades, he was able to secure a spot in the Imam Tarxäli Technological Institute without sitting through the university's entrance test. Initially, he refused to go to college on the basis of advancing his business ventures, but his father insisted him on going anyways. Árazam followed his father's orders, and studied mechanical engineering for four years before graduating in 1976. During his time as a student at the institute, Árazam continued to perform investments at several local businesses, sustaining him for the entirety of his student career.

While in University, he joined the Naval Union of Seratofian Boys.

Kajášku Automobiles (1976-1979)
Árazam landed a job at Kajášku Automobiles as quality assurance in 1976. He moved to Ljana that same year and closed all investments he made during his stay in Azxara, purchasing a modest house in the outskirts of the city. The job paid Árazam enough to sustain his daily lives and to save up for his marriage. He eventually married his long-time girlfriend and partner Natalija in a ceremony in 1978. In 1976, his salary was evident to be 1,000 Zakkas per month or twice the national average. With this money, he often enrolled in business seminars accross Ljana during his days off and begin to speculate and research about local companies. In January of 1977, he attended a week-long business and investment seminar for employees held by M. Gustáfa who wrote 9 ways to make 1,000 Zakkas, a book which greatly inspired a young Árazam.

In February of 1977, with his first paychecks and bonus, he poured money into a local  factory and chipped in more than 5,000 Zakkas, allowing the company to purchase several new equipment and employ more workers. Árazam became a board member of the small company and managed to influence the company in several ways, starting from its production method and strategy to its markets. This situation did not last very long, as Árazam would often ask for an early dismissal to the dismay of his bosses. Starting from April of 1977, Árazam would only visit the factory and the board on his days off, mostly on weekends, to consult on the latest developments in the company. He would then give advice from his newly-found knowledge of working at the automobile plant and its tactics to the company in an effort to increase revenue.

Árazam increased his shares in the company by investing another 5,000 Zakkas from his savings into the company in May of 1977 due to an increase in sales for the month of February, March, and April, and good company prospects. The company was about to open a new branch in the small suburb of Čavitu, and Árazam tried to market the company to other potential investors he knew through various connections and events to try and get them to invest in the company. Within Kajášku Automobiles, plant manager T. Suvirá began to notice Árazam's interest in business and investment, and offered him a raise and elevation to distribution manager on the basis that he forfeit all his claims in the textile company. Árazam, however, refused such as the long-term pay and output did not match if he were to continue with both work and ivnesting.

Rifts began to happen between the management and Árazam. He began to recieve less bonuses for his paychecks and for eid of 1977, he did not recieve any bonus. He brought it up with management once more in June of 1977 to inquire on the unfair treatment of himself, to which the management, still led by T. Suvirá, cited his "off-work ethic" which was unacceptable. Management threatened to fire him if he did not stop his off-work investments and work as they deemed that the work that Árazam was doing right now was counter-productive, and brought down his overall productivity. Árazam, hesitant forfeit his investments, reluctantly agreed to the new terms set, recieved a raise, and cashed in on his investments which had already more than doubled to 21,000 Zakkas, enough for his planned marriage. Although so, he promised the textile company that "he will someday return back to the company, in one way or another."

Beginning in October of 1977, his pay increased from 1,000 Zakkas per month to a modest 1,500 Zakkas. Between October of 1977 and January of 1979, he did not make any investments or any side activities which he once had done. Although the pay raise at the company was guaranteed and hefty bonuses were given again towards almost all employees, Árazam did not feel safe with only one source of income, fearing that the country, feeling a wave of unstability after the invasion of Sobruza by Modrovia would experience uneasy times ahead, and engaged in extensive saving plans and schemes. In February of 1979, he silently contacted his old board member friends at Aruja textiles and inquired about the current affairs of the company. Karja Sudhíra, one of his old university friends whom Árazam had already convinced to invest in Aruja prior, invited Árazam back to the front scenes, stating that ever since a large chunk of Árazam's shares were sold back to the company, the company has become stagnant.

With the money saved and stockpiled by Árazam over the course of one and a half years prior, he put back almost 20,000 Zakkas or 75% of his savings into Aruja again, and was met with joy from the owners. Sudhíra, which had only invested 10,000 Zakkas, has said that the company needed any additional capital after its business ventures were struck by the instability of the new Seratof Country and the disastrous effects of the invasion Modrovia, marking mass protests throughout Seratof country in 1977 and 1978. Árazam requested the company that his involvement be disclosed and to be credited after his wife Natalija. Natalija would then often report into the board meetings only to describe and explain them again to her husband.

While investing in Aruja textiles, his wife Natalija advised her husband to diversify after hearing that the company might still remain stagnant even after Árazam's contribution towards the company. Árazam began to seek more diverse options, and eventually landed on an arms factory 25 km north of Ljana. Árazam, knowing that the country is militarizing with increased threats from all sides of the border, surveyed the company and approahced the factory and company on a quiet Saturday. Árazam was only able to contribute up to 3,000 Zakkas as the company was a semi state-owned company, and the quota for private investors was fairly limited. Árazam used the remainder of his savings to invest in that company, but under the name of his wife to remove suspicion from his bosses. He also sent his wife to Azxara and buy stocks in public arms company.

On the 3rd of May 1979, Seratof mandated conscription for all abled males aged 18-25. Árazam was thrilled at the announcement. Stock prices for his shares rose dramatically as the demand for weapons and other arms apparatus increased. He was said to have "celebrated with his wife by taking him to the most expensive restaurant in Ljana" after work one day. Upon reaching home, Árazam recieved a phone call from Sudhíra stating that Aruja had just recieved a massive order of uniforms from the government, and has requested additional funds if possible. The next day after work, Árazam went to the bank to borrow some money in order to fund Aruja with their new huge order, putting their house as guarantee. Árazam invested another 20,000 Zakkas into the company.

The first dividend shares of the profits from both the arms company and Aruja were given out in January of 1980, with Árazam earning a hefty 25,000 from both companies, and was finally able to pay off his bank debts with the dividends. Árazam kept his shares in both companies and began looking for a third company to invest in after his succsesses in investment. Árazam still had to put up his cover with management, and asked for "field inspections" in various small towns and villages across Ljana to check on the more minor workshops working for Kajášku. The request was always granted, and Árazam used this moment to look for various businesses and ranches in the countryside, interviewing the owners and the workers to see what the prospects are. He eventually landed on several small-scale ranches and farms 23 km to the east of Ljana, and introduced the farmers to the concept of outside investment. He also brought along his friend Sudhíra to help the farmers and ranchers improve their output with more capital to begin with, often buying newer and better equipment as well as the hiring of more able-bodied employees and the purchase of more land.

The suspicion of Árazam's bosses grew after Árazam did not return for another 3 hours than previously scheduled. Initially, his main boss T. Suvirá, let it slide, however with each coming day, Árazam would come back to the plant later and later. One day, upon the usual request of Árazam for a field inspection and supervision, Suvirá tailed Árazam and found out that Árazam had been secretly using company-time to make his own deals and trades, angering Suvirá. He returned back to the plant and waited to confront Árazam. Upon returning to the plant, Árazam was instantly demoted to the lowest-paying job while Suvirá messaged corporate about the situation, however, Árazam quit the job instantly after hearing his demotion.

Shortly afterwards, Kajášku automobiles sued Árazam for lost company money during his visits and field inspections, and won the case. Árazam was ordered to pay up to 1,583 Zakkas for lost productivity and time on the days that he requested field inspections, far lower than what prosecutors demanded for at 5,000 Zakkas.

Árazam-Sudhíra holdings (1979-1987)
Unemployed, he approached one of his old high school and university friend Sudhíra who was also an avid investor to form their own small time holding to maintain a secure form of income. Sudhíra agreed to the proposal as a way to organize their funds and to create a proper holding and fund recognized by the Seratofian government. In late 1979, the two approached the Department of Labor of Ljana to open their own holding, which was initially refused due to Árazam having an outstanding court settlement. Árazam finally paid the fines and orders, and the holding finally became a legal entity in Seratof. Árazam became the chairman and a co-owner of the new group, named Árazam-Sudhíra holdings. Starting on the 1st of January 1980, all investments previously done by Árazam and Sudhíra would be put under a collective and over-arching Árazam-Sudhíra holding, and any further investments must be done on a consensus.

Árazam rented an old office building in the center of Ljana for their first office building. They also hired several employees to manage the day-to-day running of the company. In March of 1980 after dividend payments from various forms of investments they have made, Árazam suggested that they should buy more shares in Aruja until a majority is reached. On the 16th of March, another fellow board member agreed to sell his shares, giving the holding a majority in the ownership of Aruja. Aruja became the first majority-owned asset of the holding, and many directives and orders given to the company after than mainly came from the decisions of Árazam and Sudhíra. Eventually in 1982, the holding owned 100% of the company.