Trial and Tribulations of a First Gen Entrepreneur.

Disclaimer : This post will be devoid of numbers and statistics. Sincere Apologies

Its been a long time in the making, but finally I muster enough perspective to write about my experience Pre, During and Post my participation at the Bangalore Open House.

A group of friends started  KabuliWalla, an e-commerce company involved in the e-retail of nuts, dried fruits and healthy snacks.

A lot of ideas about product sourcing, marketing, reaching the consumer and more were thrown around and like a true bunch of excited kids, we set about our respective tasks.

We were hitting our initial targets just fine until August’14, when one of my business partners, my childhood school friend and my flatmate passed away in an unfortunate road accident in Bangalore. Now that’s as bad a hand that life can deal you.

For a month or so, the grief, shock AND anger of losing a priceless compatriot left me shell shocked and unable to will myself into any sort of action whatsoever.

In a most random, desperate, last ditch effort I managed to message Alok on Facebook requesting to discuss this issue. By this time I’d been following him on social media for almost a year and more than anything else, He and his take on Life as a whole intrigued me.

The option in front of me at that point was to pack my bags, dissolve my infant start up and head back. 

After an impromptu call with Alok and a follow up by Asha I was talked into presenting at the Bangalore OH, which I had long hoped to be under better and happier circumstances, retrospectively, turned out to be just what the doctor advised.

At the OH, I saw and consequently met a group of people who were working every moment of their life to create and make a difference in people’s lives through their ideas.

It was as motivated a congregation of people as you might find anywhere in the world. The ideas being discussed, the companies showcasing were a kick in the right place at the right moment. Rodinhoods was a place where one could bare their soul and people would come of their own accord and offer to help you through.

The words of encouragement received thereafter from Alok, Asha, and so many others was heartening and extremely motivating.

That opportunity helped me to take the first steps of getting out of the rut of inaction.

After that September, We at Kabuliwalla got back to the drawing board. We’ve come up with new strategies, we’ve hired interns and we’ve sponsored an international level conference as well.

My journey of exploration has just started. A few pointers from this great community on the following will help me go the long way, 

1. Have you found yourself in a similar situation ?  If yes, what was the best way to carry on and put your best foot forward after that ?

2. I am usually shy in approaching someone to be a mentor to me, what are the parameters on which I evaluate a prospective mentor AND also whether I, personally need a mentor.

I remember Divakar, every day, and show up to work thinking that this must be what he would expect me to do.

If any of you, or somebody you know finds themselves in similar circumstances please feel free to reach out to me on ashish@kabuliwalla.com. 

We can connect on Twitter – @ashishgyan

Have a great day everyone.