“Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life - think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success.”
These words of the great reformer Swami Vivekananda was the source of inspiration of a young lad from Kolkata since his childhood. The young adult of 18 loved to challenge everything that came in his way. So, when he was pushed to pursue a formal education of Engineering after school, he protested as usual. But it did not land well in face of his dad. Hence the budding photographer picked up his drafter and Engineering Drawing Kit to join several others on way to his 1st Basic Mechanics Class.
At college, he discovered something: More 90% of the course was outdated and do not have industry relevance. The caged bird tried arduously to breakout of this prison of engineering school with the continuous humiliation of coming in last in all the mid-term papers of the 1st term. The constant fear of going unplaced after completion of the 4-year course with average results haunted him.
One day, while researching for assignments with his lab-partner, an idea struck him. They say: “You are not best friends if you haven’t thought of a start-up idea together”. A simple shorted LAN Cable and unavailability of the technicians sparked a conversation of a potential start-up. After tons of brainstorming, they found their “ideal” business plan.
Now to come up with a name for the venture was a big deal for these budding entrepreneurs. Engineering appeared out of league to both of them as they were yet to develop a proper relationship with the wild dame. Thus Engineerista [Engineer – Rishtha (Hindi: for Relationships)] was born.
The initial days of the start-up was not at all that was expected by the dynamic duo. The 3rd year of their Engineering course has just begun. With the flooding of assignments, lab reports, project submission deadlines from professors, taking a mere 5-hour sleep at night was a luxury.
The main product of this venture was an affordable ERP that was still in testing phase. Just 1 day before pitching the venture to potential investors, the whole system crashed and there went the possibility of external investment down the drain.
Life was becoming intolerable for the lad who always thought of the glass to be half full. The constant taunts of his classmates over this “hopeless” project, the constant mockery of relatives and acquaintances of all these futile activities really brought him down… But he had to see it through. He has not only betted his life savings, but his will to live on it.
Now let’s fast forward to April 18, 2017: the date that will be remembered in red to all Engineerista associates. The ERP software: “Phoenix” was completed and ready to be pitched to new clients. It was literally a make or break for the team. With beads of sweat on their foreheads and rumbling hearts, the team went on to pitch to their 76th potential client. The pressure was building up on the 5 young minds who were a long way from home in Chennai in midst of strangers to pitch their “innovative” idea. The presentation started after the client reached the venue 45 minutes late. The lads from Kolkata gave it all - returning empty handed to their homes was not an option. Post presentation the client went ahead with the standard “We will let you know” reply.
It was nearly game over for the gang. After a really long day of presentations they headed back for their hotel rooms - empty handed, pissed off and frustrated, to prepare for other clients in the coming days. It was 11.30 pm, they were dreadfully intoxicated with cheap booze at the hotel bar when an email arrived. It was the client from the morning! Their very 1st successful pitch!
Yes, the young lad from Kolkata is me. Engineerista (www.engineerista.com) has been growing steadily since the day. We are now a small family of 17 associates, spread across the country. Last financial year was another milestone for us. We have just passed break even after 4 long years of operating under outward revenue flow. Our Principle: “When you can’t find the Sunshine, BE the Sunshine”. We don’t know how it will turn out in the future, but we are here, we are now and that’s what matters; we are here to stay.
Signing off,
Avirup Das
PGDM 1st Year,
T A Pai Management Institute, Manipal.
#ABGLP
#TAPMI