Aspiring entrepreneurs can take inspiration from the success stories of Indian entrepreneurs who started from humble beginnings and made it big. SugerMint has profiled five such entrepreneurs whose stories prove that anything is possible if you have the will to accomplish it.
Sridhar Vembu, the founder and CEO of Zoho Corporation, is one such entrepreneur who started from scratch. Despite coming from a modest middle-class family, Vembu had the drive to succeed. He is a living testament to the saying, “Where there is a will, there is a way.”
Vembu’s father was a stenographer in Chennai High Court, and his mother was a homemaker. He started his school education in a Tamil-medium school. However, Vembu’s passion for education led him to obtain his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Princeton University in 1989.
Vembu is known for his simplicity and likes to drive a Toyota car. Despite his humble beginnings, he is now ranked as the 76th richest man in India by Forbes. He currently resides in Pleasanton, California.
Vembu founded Zoho Software Company in 1996, which focuses on office suite, customer relationship management (CRM), and web-based business tools. He started the business as AdventNet along with three friends and two siblings. Today, Zoho Software Company has more than 45 million users worldwide, and its flagship product, Zoho One, has 40 apps.
Another inspiring story is that of Mahesh Gupta, the chairman of Kent RO Systems, who is also known as the “Pure Water Man of India.” He is a shining example of the idiom, “Where there is a will, there is a way.” Gupta started his business in a small room with only Rs. 5000 and a dream to provide clean drinking water to every Indian household.
Kailash Katkar, the founder and CEO of Quick Heal Technologies, is another entrepreneur who started from scratch. He is a living example of the saying, “Every cloud has a silver lining.” Katkar’s first venture, CAT Computer Services, failed miserably. However, he did not give up and started Quick Heal Technologies, which is now a leading cybersecurity company in India.
P C Mustafa is an entrepreneur who failed in class 6 but built a Rs. 100 crore company, “iD Fresh Food.” His success story is a perfect example of the idiom, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” Mustafa’s determination to succeed led him to start a business that delivers fresh, authentic South Indian food across India.
Finally, there is Ramesh Babu, the “Billionaire Barber,” who owns a Rolls Royce. His story is a classic example of the idiom, “From rags to riches.” Babu started his career as a barber and worked hard to build his business. Today, he owns a chain of salons and is a proud owner of a Rolls Royce.
These five entrepreneurs prove that with hard work, determination, and the right mindset, anything is possible. Their success stories are a source of motivation for aspiring entrepreneurs who dream of making it big in the business world. The idioms used in their stories showcase the power of language and inspire us to think differently.
