The first time when I came across Alok Kejriwal’s blog was when an article written by him was posted titled “marwari business school” Being a marwari myself I could very well relate to the practice in a traditional marwari set up with things related to the staff, the taxes etc.
I studied at a boarding school in Darjeeling called St. Paul’s and was an average student all throughout. I participated in some extra curricular activities every now and then and always enjoyed writing, not that I achieved too much there but I just enjoyed it. Being an average student my father was never very proud of me (I hope he now is) but there was always this weird comparison with the other children in the family. My cousins were way ahead of me in grades, they were studying in the most fancy of colleges in Kolkata and somehow had the best of friends and chose to stay away from me.
I grew up in a rather lonely environment and was always watching others and one fine evening in June 2009 I had a vent of frustration when I was selected for the FBM program at NMiMS, Mumbai. My cousins began to shower their respect on me and proudly claimed that I am related to them. Things changed for a while and so did I, but all became normal in Feb 2011 when just as the course was nearing completion I was asked to leave NM.
Things went from bad to worse, I lost hope and thought uselessness is next to me. I tried my best in everything but an average student will always remain an average student, even in the eyes of his father who may have been intelligent in his time. Trouble started for me when I joined my own business (yaa I MEAN SOLID TROUBLE) the average guy wanted to change things, but the daddy spirit was too large a game. Was stopped at every bend and corner as if I am a terrorist or something. All I wanted was to introduce branding into the rice market which was thriving on unethical mixed varieties.
A day came when I mailed Alok asking for help, asking for release he suggested me a way but was too afraid to take it, I loved my dad, I still do…I sat down and said I want to start this printing business, and as usual the average student gets the average reply.
So I went ahead, I began approaching banks, for a loan which would help me buy that machine. This machine is called a UV Flat Bed machine and can print directly on any flat surface up to 8 inches thick. The potential looked good as Kolkata (and NE India) had an abundance of raw materials like plywood, glass etc but not a very creative end user product.
UV LED Machine from Sun Innovations
Feb 2012: It was two months since dad had stopped talking to me. I was hurt but I was alive and I needed to do it, for myself if not anyone else. I placed the order for the machine to the Russian Mfg on a 50% advance which was jointly contributed by my partner and me and a bank had approved for the remaining loan as well. The moment I went to my dad only to tell him that the loan is approved, he said CA uncle wanted to speak to me. So I went with the AVERAGE mindset to hear average stuff but to my surprise my CA wanted to invest in this as well, now all funds were arranged and we had a small requirement which the bank would give.
Thats where we began our company INDOVERSAL (which means India and its UNIVERSAL potential to CREATE). My dad was still on a 50-50 doubtful mode. Customary to all marwari households, they began searching for a girl and well both my parents and I were dead sure that NO girl is going to like me because I AM AVERAGE (I don’t know what to add beside it) Meanwhile our business had kicked off, our print samples were distributed locally and the struggle phase is still on (I ENJOY IT)
All of a sudden on the 29th of Sept 2012, I met the girl who was on for me. I did not realize what was happening but I felt like a complete stranger to myself when I first met her. We were engaged on the 31st of October…
I KNEW I COULD…HE DIDN’T…Somehow this unknown helps me to fight more…it does make me cry at times but Alok’s posts and writings help me sail through, I remember he once wrote Men cry more often than woman do, they just don’t shed tears. Thanks so much for being the person you are 🙂
Vinay Chhoda
Ayush,
Congrats on sticking it out and getting your venture off the ground.
Always believe in yourself even if others don’t. People will never change, but you can always evolve if you want to.
Keep the faith.
Sridhar V
Thanks for sharing your experience, which shows the challenges and struggle you encountered. There is always light at the end of the tunnel…..one just needs to pursue and commit to the end goal.
Just to put things in perspective a majority of people who follow the traditional job paths are neither happy nor successful, so its a good idea to follow your own path and chart your own territory. Later achievements and laurels will follow.
Pawan Deokule
Ayush, an average guy would not be able to stand up against the wishes of a father who is all knowing and well settled.
Neither would an average guy be able to muster up a 50% advance with little support leave alone get a bank to shed money on a non-collateralized asset that does not have the average guarantor, besides getting a partner on board!
By no means can you call yourself average. The printing industry is a rat race that I stepped away from against my father’s preference. Wishing you a Happy Diwali and the best of luck on your not so average journey!
Ayush Agarwal
Thank you Vinay 🙂 Wish you a great Diwali.
Ayush Agarwal
Thank you so much Sridhar 🙂
Ayush Agarwal
Thank you Pawan. These words are truly encouraging. Thanks 🙂 and a very happy diwali
Wilfred Moraes
Thanks for sharing your experience, and always believe in yourself.
Varun Bansal
Great man ! good going … but tell me sincerely how do you get the idea of print business ,all of a sudden ? I mean How ?
Abey John
Statements like “I AM AVERAGE” is what I call ‘Moral Filth’. 🙂 You are only average on other people’s terms of reference. And those terms of reference are usually buried in the past. So there is no way you can match up.
The truth: You are average or nil at whatever you don’t care about. When it’s something you care about you are unstoppable (we all are) (I KNEW I COULD…)
“I did not realize what was happening but I felt like a complete stranger to myself when I first met her.” – stunningly WOW! That line says more about who you really are than the entire article. :))))
Glad to see you on rodinhoods.
asha chaudhry
b’day boy! we need to hear an update soon!! 🙂
have an awesome pausome b’day and life ahead!