In India, while walking past a dosa stall or handcart, you might consider the business low-scale and minimal. But, in the times when the start-up wave is on the rolls, there is a need to look deeper. Because such has been the story of an Indian businessman named Prem Ganapathy, who started with a dosa handcart back in 1997, and today is a proud owner of 45 outlets in 4 countries by the name of Dosa Plaza! If you ask him, how it all started, then the answer is, with the passion for bringing out a variety of dosas for people, who were aware of only a countable few varieties back then. What is even special in his outlet is, that a foodie can find over 100 varieties of dosa at the outlets! Truly worth the experiments!
While Prem’s story is unique in its kind, what the emphasis needs to be on, is his zeal to follow something he believed in strongly. The force behind his strategy to take his business; forward wasn’t only to do with money, moreover, it was about his passion.
Similar have been the stories of OLA Cabs’s founder, Bhavish Aggarwal and OYO Room’s founder, Ritesh Aggarwal. One started with a transportation company while the other with a hotel chain across India and now stemming overseas as well. They were appalled to see the ground realities of their respective avenues, where they built their businesses in. For Bhavish, an IIT-Mumbai graduate a bad road trip brought the realisation regarding the need for a reliable transport company, while for Ritesh a bad hotel experience in Gurgaon, presented the idea to start with a hotel chain, which could be faithful and answerable to the travellers. Today both the companies are leading their successful stories and defining the manner people like to travel in India. What makes OLA and OYO standout is, their originality in idea and competence. These companies are not copy-cats, but unique in their ideologies. While many companies have come up so far with similar business models, but this hasn’t affected the smooth growth of OLA and OYO! Both of these companies must have been ready for this, considering another culture of copying in businesses; but fret not, the original remains the real, and most palatable when it comes to their services.
Considering the great entrepreneurial buzz in the country with creative and sharp minds, the Indian Government started the Start-up India initiative, that supports the idea of start-ups in India. There are benefits given to the young minds including tax concessions for the initial period, amongst many others. Truly India is defining towards a day when there would not be only job seekers, but also the industry leaders.
Don’t let the waves take you by surprise, but create your wave, and surprise people of its wonder and uniqueness.
Following one’s passion is the key to success, supported by the able decision-making, risk-taking and acceptance of challenges.
