What success does mean to you?
This question asked by my father who is 10th pass and does not know about engineering/MBA studies. I smiled at that time and could not answer very well. He said It's not about the money you earn or the car you drive or the clothes you wear. It's about happiness, good health and how you manage your family with utmost satisfaction.
While pursuing my undergrad in mechanical engineering, I had to suffer for pocket money and that problem statement converted into a successful start-up idea. I and along with my colony friends who were also doing the engineering started an Event management company (ABPK Eventers) with zero investment ruppee.
We're in 1st year of engineering and could manage to generate leads from Gujarat for event orders. This start-up worked for 20 months and we decided to closed this one for internal family issues. These wonderful experiences introduced me to the IIT and IIM places. I had no idea what is IIT and IIM and what is they stand for. Being from Ahmedabad, I'd got to know our city has the top institute IIM-Ahmedabad and they produce the best managers and skillsets.
At the end of my 3rd year of engineering, I have introduced the process of getting into IIM/IIT for the MBA program. I was only hoping for me to gain good knowledge and clear my family's debt. I ran a rate race in the CAT exam till I graduated from engineering and could not get a good percentile but managed to get PPO in a good organization after the engineering. While working in the sales department, CAT was wondering in mind and that IIM too. I worked for 30 months and decided to take CAT against my family's wish to pursue an MBA.
My friend circle and groups were full of entrepreneurs and businessmen who were encouraging me to complete my dream. On the D-day of CAT, I again lost my control and could not get into an IIM. I was devasted and overthink to waste my time while preparing for these types of exams for management studies. In the next morning, One of mine closed friend called me to go for any suitable b-school and take the experience of MBA gist. I gave my interviews of IITs and other b-schools and converted Welingkar Institute of Management, Mumbai for a unique PGDM-Business design program.
Despite covid-19 and lockdown situation, I decided to give my 100% in the program and explored the design thinking methodologies, problem-solving techniques as well as consulting approaches. I started working with a couple of start-ups and explored their process to work. This motivated me to write at least twice on LinkedIn and managed to learn a lot through this platform. I tried many experiments and became a LinkedIn consultant as well as invited by a couple of universities to speak on some topics as a guest.
I coached around 50 students for LinkedIn and helped a couple of brands for their growth. Very recently, I was invited by my undergrad university to coach faculties and again it reminded me of my father's words about success. It was about satisfaction and giving back to your socities. This pandemic gave me an interesting idea to start my next venture in the consulting field. I managed to create a business plan and launched my start-up (Infinity Consulting) before my summer internship. Today and along with my team, we're hiring IIT/IIM guys who are ready to work with us.
Today. I've no regret studying at IIM/IIT but happier with my b-school. I met amazing batchmates and professors who are constantly helping and guiding for any phase. It's not about taking revenge on my past or proving something that I could not make it, It's about satisfaction, happiness, and most importantly giving back to my society. Many start-up founders were reached out to me when I launched Infinity consulting and criticized me for not having any background and experience in the field. I always smile and reply, "At least I am doing what I love, Are you?"
10 Things I learn till this journey of my MBA and start-up
- Never give up on those things which you had dreamt.
- It doesn't matter where you come from, It only matters what are you doing now.
- LinkedIn may demotivate you with people having IIT/IIM tags, Ignore those things and build/focus on your personal brands.
- Learn in your 20's and do a side hustle. This is the best time to do it.
- Learn to sell yourself, your idea, and your product.
- Be confident in what you're doing
- Do not think about the result/future much, Try to work on the present which is under your control.
- Haters are always there, respect them and work hard.
- Avoid overthinking, start taking action.
- Never lose hope, think positive.
I hope this story will help those who're planning to do MBA or want to pursue entrepreneurship. If you want to know more about to same then hit me on prajapatianand261@gmail.com. I will definitely respond. Thank you!
