“It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey”. We’ve all heard this, right? Well, let’s take a step back to the past, where and how it all began, my journey to becoming a business owner.
During my school days, I was quite an introverted kid. My mom would always make sure my hair was oiled, and neatly combed, and I had on good shoes and a tie. I was shy and struggled with socializing. Surprisingly, I placed a lot of importance on my grades. They held a significant weight in my life, even though I wasn't the best at conversing with others. I’m mentioning this because it highlights my school personality and how it contrasts with who I am now.
After achieving good marks in my board exams, I decided to join IIT coaching during my junior college years. This decision introduced me to a whole new group of people with diverse backgrounds. It was a bit of a culture shock for me, but I quickly adapted. Unlike my school, my college was located far from my home, so I had to commute daily. This slight change in geography exposed me to various perspectives and opportunities, which fueled my desire to explore the world. The thought of there being so much more out there, waiting to be discovered, excited me. I realized that I had barely seen anything yet.
I couldn’t into IIT, but I managed to secure an offer letter from a university in Delhi called Ashoka University. I was overjoyed because it was a liberal arts university, located in Delhi, which meant I would get to explore new places and meet new people before starting my university journey. Before joining the university, I had a three-month internship in Bangalore at a company called VVOG, which specialized in bike rentals. This internship turned out to be a major turning point in my life as I learned more in those three months than ever. I gained practical experience, wrote real-life code, worked with IOT devices, and even dabbled in marketing. When I first joined, the startup had around 20 to 30 people, but now it has grown to over 700. It was incredible to witness the growth firsthand and my mentor and colleagues played a significant role in shaping my university experience.
When I finally went to Ashoka, it blew my mind. It was like stepping into a whole new world. There were countless diverse groups of people, each with their unique backgrounds and experiences. People came from all over the globe, representing more than 5 to 7 countries. The university had a strong focus on liberal arts, giving students the freedom to choose their own path. Once you arrive, you could explore different courses and even try out various extracurricular activities. This allowed you to figure out what you truly wanted to major and minor in. Besides the academics, there were so many unconventional things happening on campus. The casual dating culture, people’s business mindset, and the way people carried themselves, talked, danced, and sang were unlike anything I had ever seen before. It felt like everyone had something special about them, while I couldn't help but feel like I had nothing to offer.
I did not stop exploring. I seized every opportunity that came my way. I carefully considered each one, took action, and then decided whether to pursue it further or not. Money was always on my mind because I knew university was costly, and I didn't want to burden my parents by asking for financial help. They had already sacrificed so much for my education, so I experimented with various business ventures, and explored different money-making methods, from small gigs to potential startups, and working jobs.
My First Milestone on My Journey to Becoming a Business Owner
In my first year, I stumbled upon a great chance. The university had organized a sports league and they offered the option to set up stalls. I immediately recognized the potential and eagerly agreed. I decided to get Domino's Pizza, which happened to be located 10 km away from the University and sell their pizzas on campus. It was a brilliant idea! Since there was no Domino's outlet in our university, students found it quite challenging to get their hands on these delicious pizzas. I received an overwhelming response, and the best part was that I was making a hundred percent profit margin. I purchased each pizza for a hundred rupees and sold it for ₹200.
I couldn't believe it when I made Rs.16k in just 2 days. I was so surprised, thrilled, and looking forward to what the future holds. Earning 16k was a big achievement for me, and all I did was buy items for less and sell them for more.
It sparked confidence within me that I am capable of starting and running a business. Additionally, I had the opportunity to work as a resident assistant, intern at the Alumni office, and serve as a teaching assistant. All of these experiences allowed me to earn some income.
During the second half of my first year at college, I started working on a travel start-up venture named Qro alongside a fellow batchmate. Interestingly, my friend specialized in economics while I pursued computer science. I took charge of the technical aspects and he handled the business. Surprisingly, we ended up handling every aspect of the project. It took me approximately two months to grasp the in-depth details of creating a fully functional website with all the necessary features. To make it all happen, I utilized Wix to design and develop our website, integrating third-party APIs, databases, and a payment gateway.
However, when Covid hit, our start-up, which was a travel company, was destined to fail. We were inexperienced and didn't fully understand the business aspect. We were doing what we thought was right, but not in the way it should have been done. As a result, we failed, but we learned a lot from the experience.
After a failed start-up, I developed the skill of creating websites on Wix. During the lockdown, I had some free time and decided to offer my skills on Fiverr. Surprisingly, I received a gig order on the first day itself. At the time, I thought it was normal, but looking back, I realize how lucky I was.
I kept receiving orders and started making a decent amount of money for a university student, which helped me meet my expenses. In addition to that, I had an internship, a resident assistant position, and a teaching assistant role. Altogether, I was earning enough to pay my own tuition fees, which was around 1 lakh per month (I convinced the administration to let me pay in installments).
Looking back, my journey has been a whirlwind of experiences, each one shaping me into the person I am today. From a shy student to a business owner, I've learned the importance of stepping outside my comfort zone, embracing opportunities, and continuously learning. Wix Freaks is more than a company; it's a symbol of my growth and a platform to help others achieve their entrepreneurial dreams. This is just the beginning – the adventure continues!
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