1.30 AM, 24/08/2012, lost my sleep. Got up from my bed and started writing these words….
“You are not a businessman”. These words keep ringing into my ears for the past two days. It’s very scary and it taunts me. I am very upset when my new employee, fresh from college dared to insist the same words on me during a casual discussion two days back when we were about to close my office around 10.00 PM. Of course, after a point of argument, he had no other choice to stop the conversation and I was also adamant in pointing to him that I am a businessman.
But, his words are ringing in my mind. It is sitting somewhere in the corner of my mind and keeps propping up every now and then.
Tomorrow morning I should call him to my room and ask him apologize and would gift him, for he who has enlightened me that “I am not a businessman”. Then who am I?
It’s been a long journey of 7 years running and what are my achievements? Did I inherit my father’s business? Did I ever had enough financial (or even a single penny) backup to start my business? Have I earned enough to support my living? Have I spent adequate time with my family? Have I realized profits adequately? Did I ever follow an existing business idea to remain sustainable? Did I ever come across my competitors? Did I ever felt safe running my business?
Gosh!!! No, never…none of these…..
Then why should I call myself a businessman. Who am I?
Let me go back a little bit to see what I did? What did I start? Where did I start? And How did I start?
Just like every youngsters dream, I too had my urge and drive to do something of my own and excel in it.
But, why did I felt so?
Yes, in 12 years of experience, I was a supervisor in a foundry (Served in both melting and moudling department), I was a lab chemist, I was a netlon sales guy, I was medical representative, I was marketing Industrial research and testing services, I was into sales of IT solutions, I was an IT consultant. Now none of these gave me satisfaction as I never had the chance to spread my arms and try my thoughts and ideas. If any one of these business owners had let me to implement my thoughts, and then I would not been what I am today.
So what?
Yes, I needed to start a business which would remain as a platform, where in I would give free hand to young budding people to try their thoughts and ideas and allow them to grow to the level of people who are experts and highly experienced. I needed to lay my trust in young bloods and pave the way for their aggression and aggressive nature. Is it truly possible?
Indeed it did work for me, but it has been a struggle to identify such a youngster. Every business has its own risk and weakness. But I keep seeing success. I did have my pinch of bitterness but it has proved worthy.
Today we are a team of 35 providing scalable solutions enabling our clients to realize their ROI by leveraging the benefits of ever changing technological era. We have 85% of client retention. Attrition rate is 10% which could be rated best in the industry.
We are trying new ideas and thoughts which results in 4 business opportunity. Each of these ideas to become a flagship, innovative, business model for next gen young minds.
So Can I say that I am being people oriented, fire fighting employees, happy customers and contended society around me?
But I have not yet seen my financial freedom? I run a huge risk, but my family is my motivation. I derive my vigor, valor and strength from them and that keeps me running.
I am passionate about what I am doing and I would die for it. I believe in “Working together works”.
Then who am I?
Yes, I am proud to be part of “Thinkers, Doers”, Proud to be called “Rodinhood”….
And “I am the Entrepreneur”
I should tell my fresher friend that I am not a businessman, but I am an “Entrepreneur”
Still more to come….2.30 AM…got an appointment at 9.00 AM. Hope I can get my sleep…