The Journey of a small town dreamer
Early Ventures: A Dream Takes Root
In the quaint town of Giridih, Jharkhand, I faced a harsh reality: while I dreamed of gadgets like the latest Nintendo console or Sony PlayStation, my classmates couldn’t even afford their school fees, uniforms, or textbooks. At 14, I felt a calling to be a hero—not the cape-and-tights kind, but more like Tony Stark without the fancy suit.
Lacking any superpowers or Stark-level tech, I decided to start a small venture: dubbing tapes with custom songs, Soon I was cranking out cassette decks and tower speakers with top-notch components, and meticulous designs – my combos became an instant hit with waitlists exceeding a week.
However, I wasn’t battling aliens or saving the universe. My mission was more local, around my community, helping meritorious kids get a fair shot at life, and just like Captain America took care of his team, I made sure to invest in other opportunities like a car wash run by senior citizens and a volunteer program to supplement public libraries with donations and local collections.
Sure, I didn’t have a suit of armour or a talking raccoon as a sidekick, but these ventures succeeded in creating the desired impact – The highlight one of my former ‘Sponsored Student’ is now a senior police official – helping a lot of underprivileged students via his initiatives.
Mid-Life Crisis: A Rollercoaster of Success and Setbacks
As my journey progressed, the call for further education took me away from Giridih. With a heavy heart, I sold off both businesses, but the returns were substantial. I carried the lessons learned to Ranchi, where I started a video production company in college. Our documentaries weren’t just films; they were catalysts for change.
We made films to force the government to provide clean water to immigrants, bring electricity to rag-pickers, and even restart a school in a remote, elephant-infested village. The impact was profound, and our efforts won an IDPA Award for social impact. We then collaborated on a 25-episode travel series on DD-Ranchi, which hit the highest TRP ratings. Life was on a high, success seemed eternal, and I felt unstoppable—like an Avenger on a mission.
But as life often reminds us, even heroes have their lows. Personal tragedies struck, and I spiralled into addiction and substance abuse. The businesses I had built began to crumble. I was left hungry, penniless, and unable to pay my employees for two months. Shattered, I sold off everything and embarked on a soul-searching journey of a month, in Uttarakhand.
In Dehradun, broke and desperate, I sobered up. I took on odd jobs, repaired bikes, and slowly pieced myself back together. It was a period of immense struggle, but I emerged stronger, determined never to burden my parents.
Penniless in Delhi: Rise from the Ashes
I reached out to my connections and secured a promising job offer with a prestigious newspaper in Delhi. Filled with purpose, I eagerly took my parents’ blessings and headed to Delhi, ready to make my mark. I splurged the money they had given me on shopping, envisioning a bright future ahead.
However, on the day I was supposed to start, reality hit hard. Due to a recession, the newspaper had shelved its expansion plans and was laying off 20% of its workforce. Once again I was penniless.
Just when it seemed all doors had closed, I stumbled upon the burgeoning BPO industry—a land of air-conditioned offices, cushy jobs, and what seemed like endless possibilities. I joined as a frontline agent, only to face an endless barrage of calls and irate customers. Yet, with the support of an incredible boss, I thrived in the chaos. Over a 16-year career, I rose through the ranks, excelling in customer interactions, sales, and solutions, eventually rising to Vice President role.
Reinvention: From the BPO Industry to mentor
By 2023, I realized that traditional BPO models were stagnant, offering little beyond cost arbitrages. The systems and technologies were relics of the past, and innovation was stifled by prohibitive costs. Frustrated but driven, I left to find companies willing to challenge these outdated models.
I started as an independent consultant, working with young, spirited teams and bosses half my age. I guided them in integrating technology into traditional BPO models, helping my first client secure three paid Proof-of-Concept projects from coveted enterprise clients.
In just 11 months, I helped clients generate over ₹6 crore in revenue, including ₹5.5 crore from BPO operations and ₹50 lakh from travel ventures. Today, I find my fulfilment in mentoring young entrepreneurs, fostering their dreams to build meaningful ventures.
Beyond Business: A Life of Adventures and Passions
Outside of work, I’m an avid biker, restoring old motorcycles and embarking on trips across India. I love camping, cooking, and collecting curiosities like weapons, stamps, tools, coins, and currency. My journey is a story of resilience and transformation, an odyssey of highs and lows, but above all, it’s a testament to never giving up.
If you’re seeking inspiration to overcome challenges and drive success, let’s connect and share our stories. After all, every hero’s journey starts with a single step of determination.