Things I am doing in B-school – MBA & Entrepreneurship

It’s been quite some time since I am following TheRodinhoods. I like the energy and enthusiasm with which people tell their story here even if it’s not a success one. So here is my account of what is going on in my life. I am juggling with two things right now, one is entrepreneurship and other is MBA. I delve into both.

Before starting, here’s a little bit about my background à

Engineering -> Then 2 Yrs experience in IT industry -> Now doing MBA & co-founded some ventures.

Though I realised very early (2^nd Yr. engineering) that entrepreneurship is my calling, I could not startup before.  I followed a very conventional path. But deep down I was always preparing to start up by learning through blogs, observation and experiences of others.

The startup could happen after I joined the b-school. Here is the account of what all I am working on.

The first is – Sandweges – a fast food outlet

During April-May this year, when the other students were interning with MNCs, I with my partner was doing the ground work of opening a fast food outlet near my college. This was our internship – in our own company. On May 6^th Sandwedges was inaugurated by the dean of our college.  The idea is based on Sandwiches as the primary product with fries, wedges and shakes also in the menu. Below is our menu.

We are in our fifth month of operation now. We are very near to operational breakeven. A team of eight is currently working on this. Our target customers are the offices around and the students of our college. There has been immense learning so far in starting up Sandwedges and then operating it. I always wanted to be a web entrepreneur and had never thought that I’ll start a food venture. Now I am becoming fat trying every food joint In Delhi NCR in the name of market research. Check us on facebook and do share your feedback – https://www.facebook.com/Sandwedge .

Way2Bank – My dream project

Since December 2012 (Before Sandwedges idea was conceived) I have been working on another idea – an online mock test taking platform for banking exams. The name of the website is Way2Bank. Though this is my dream project, we have not been able to launch the website yet. The problem we faced that we could not code the website ourselves as all founders are in B-school right now. Our experience of working with freelancers has been pretty bad.  Currently I am working with a company to do the technical part. But deep down I know that I need to form my tech team to do things the way it should be done. Working with Sandweges and Way2bank simultaneously has been the biggest challenge so far. I am waiting for the day when I’ll launch the website.

Way2bank currently have a blog and a facebook page which has already started getting good traction. The blog is here and facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/way2bank .

Design Projects – what pays my bill

I also work with start-ups on their designing needs such as logo, flyers, posters, business card, infographics etc. So far I have worked for three start-ups excluding my own. This started mainly with the intention to earn money so that I can pay bills. Actually the branding work I did for Sandwedges gave me the impetus to work for other start-ups also. I have no big plans for it now. Branding excites me a lot and that keeps me motivated.

Finally MBA – What my parents think I am doing

I am in my second year of MBA. Classes, quizzes and projects take most of the time. There is nothing so exciting to share.  The best part about MBA is that you meet a lot of people. There is good chance that you can get your future business partner in the b-school.  Though people here have different goals, but being around awesome people definitely helps. According to me entrepreneurship teaches a lot more than MBA. MBA programs are meant for people seeking corporate jobs and are not for entrepreneurs.

Amidst all this I really don’t know where I’ll land in five years.  But it will definitely be my own company.