We all engage in the clichéd Independence Day greetings. Got me thinking, what sets people free? What is freedom to each one of us? What have we done to cut ropes from things that prevent us from realizing our dreams? From making us happy? From doing what we really want to do in life?
Today, my child took off the training wheels of her cycle and she’s cycling like a pro. The wheels had held her back. So maybe we all have some invisible training wheels we need to get rid of?
A lot of rodinhooders started up to set themselves free – either from the family business, from the Hari Sadus of the world; some to achieve financial independence, some to create value. So I thought of sharing some memorable starting up stories that have been posted on therodinhoods in the last 5+ years, to celebrate freedom! Will keep adding more to this list!!
[Pls note, some of these stories are very old and the rodinhooders have moved on to other places. But these entrepreneurial journeys will always inspire many of us…]
My wish: may all of you set yourself free from whatever holds you back!
In no particular order…
‘How things started for me ‘by Vishwas Patel.
How Akshay backpacked his way to becoming an entrepreneur
‘From a juice center at the age of 7 years, to a Rs 200 crore mobile retail chain business’ – Sanjeev Bhatia’s amazing story!
Eternal Optimism – the story of how Nithin chased his dreams…
The toughest decision of Alok’s life – the exit of mobile2win India
Paratha Post and us – Rituraj’s awesome journey
Why you should never give up on your dreams – Mubaid’s never say die story!
‘Almost 2 years out in the cold and loving it’ – Sushrut’s story.
1825 days of a bootstrapped Startup: Mastering the science of learn, unlearn and relearn.’
When life throws you and your startup under a bus – Priyadeep’s story…
Why Shilpi finds starting up so scary…
From Socks to Software – Alok’s journey
How Puneet started up with Karela seeds!
What brought out the entrepreneur in Ramanuj
How Rahul got his first client and how you can too!
‘The glamour of being a luxury entrepreneur’ by Soumya
Rethi, Cement and Dotcom – Deep’s story!
Humans, Shoes & ecommerce – Waqas’ incredible story!
Nithya’s 1000 days of building Monkey Baba
How Gaurav started his company over masala chai and his kids!
Rahul’s chance and toil, fortune and happiness
Karan Vazrani’s journey of being an entrepreneur
‘Experiences while building My Dream Store’ by Karthik
‘12 months of craziness… 1 year of Pratilipi’ by Ranjeet
Losing My Virginity – my first entrepreneurial leap Rajeev Bala’s story!
Ruchit’s Commitment to win
100 things Vijay learnt while building his start up
10 lessons Rishi learnt even before starting up!
Kamal’s ‘I have failed but I’m not a failure…’
How Vinayak built a “1 crore a year company” and how it shut down
Pardeep’s rough & tough journey of 2 failed startup attempts…
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Sushrut Munje
Hey – thanks for the kind mention and this highly inspiring compilation, Asha!
Kritika Ponia
Asha, thank you very much for this! <3