E04 - The Impact of Influencer Marketing with Subhaan Ashrafi

In this episode of The Impact Lab, I sit down with my dear friend and longtime collaborator, Subhaan Ashrafi—marketer, community builder, and the creative force behind the Sabr App. We dive deep into the world of influencer marketing and how Islamic brands can authentically scale their reach by building meaningful relationships with creators.

Subhaan shares lessons from his time leading global partnerships at Wahed, where he helped launch campaigns with names like Khabib and Mufti Menk. We also explore his journey creating the Sabr App, a mindfulness platform tailored for Muslims—and his latest initiative, the Shukr App, focused on supporting Muslims struggling with addiction.

🔥 What you'll learn in this episode:
✔️What makes influencer marketing work (and what brands get wrong)
✔️How nano and micro-influencers can drive real community impact
✔️The role of sincerity, service, and trust in long-term brand growth
✔️Building apps with purpose for underserved Muslim audiences

🎯 Whether you're running a nonprofit, leading a startup, or just curious about the power of influence in the Muslim space—this one’s packed with practical gems and spiritual insight.

📌 Subscribe for more insights on impact, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
02:15 - How Sabr App Started
08:40 - Overcoming Mental Health Stigma in Muslim Communities
11:29 - The Muslim Experience in the West
15:45 - The Shukr App
19:20 - Being of Service
21:35 - Islamic Influencer Marketing
29:50 - Influencer Revenue Potential
33:10 - Mega, Micro, Nano Influencers
37:14 - Common Influencer Marketing Mistakes
40:00 - Maximizing Influencer Marketing Effectiveness
42:20 - Audience Shared Libraries
47:15 - Global Influencer Marketing Trends
49:13 - Importance of Content Marketing
54:53 - Final Thoughts
1:00:10 - Qutubee App
1:05:31 - Sunan’s Impact
1:05:50 - Jannah Portfolio
1:06:05 - Closing Thoughts