Entrepreneurship............ A never ending process

In our PGP curriculum, we had a subject of Entrepreneurship, where we are taught about entrepreneual skills and how entrepreneurs become entrepreneurs taking example of few leading entrepreneurs.

In the same curriculum we had a project of interviewing an entrepreneur and ask him some questions regarding his entrepreneul life experience.

A few days after the announcement of this project and a few days before the completion date I met Mr. Rohit Inani (Director of myMO). The company is into print media (News paper publishing) "The unrestrained voice of youth", myMO events, web solutions (building websites) and Tech workshops.
So I decided to take interview of Mr. Inani as his venture is a unique one. Currently Mr. Anand has been a part of 10 ventures before and this is his 11th venture. At that time I was amazed to know, how a person can be a part of 11 ventures. Than an idea struck me as to even Ambani's and Tata's have more than 11 ventures. So the same can be with Mr. Anand as well. That night I was very excited to interview Mr. Anand, an amazing personality.

Next day we all went to F-Cube to meet Mr. Anand and take his interview. Initial few minutes were giving introduction of each other and then we jumped to some serious work.

We stsrted asking Sir about questions related to his journey as an Entrepreneur. And he started with his

1st venture of Fabric Agency (SAS Agencies)

(Started during higher secondary schooling, current status closed) (1990-1991)

2nd venture of Advertising agency (Prakriti Commnication)

(Started while pursuiing M.B.A., current status closed) (1995-1997)

3rd venture of Event Management (Provista Events, New Delhi)

(Current Status: Partnership split, stakes sold, business ongoing in different company by partners) (1998- 1999)

4th venture of Distributirship of Koutons (Proedge Distribution)

(Current Status: Closed) (1999-2000)

5th venture of Cloth Manufacturing (Brand: Body Language)

(Current Status: Sold the Business) (2000-2002)

6th venture of Software Development (Omniscient Technologies)

(Current Status: Closed) (2002-2003)

7th venture of Textile Machines Spare parts dealerhip (Vinayaka Textools)

(Current Status: Sold the Business to partners, firm's name changed) (2002-2005)

8th venture of Reliance Infocom dealership (Omnitech enterprises)

(Current Status: Closed) (2003-2004)

9th venture of Contract Farming (Fresh-O-Veg)

(Current Status: Ongoing, Stakeholdings. Operations handled by partners) (2004-....)

10th venture of Adventure Sports Campaign Site (Flame of the Forest)

(Current Status: Ongoing, Director and Biggest Stakeholder. Operations handled by partners) (2008-.....)

11th venture current venture of Cafe Lounge (F-Cube)

(2009-...............................)

The business summary:- Out of 11 ventures: 3 sold, 5 closed and 3 ongoing. In last seven years none of the business has been closed. All are doing fairly good in the market.

As he described about his 11 ventures, one unique thing which I observed was

Sir did whatever he does with great zeal and passion. He always gives his leel best into whatever he is doing. He has closed the business or has left the business, the reasons were very genuine. Like lack of support, enthusiasm and co-ordination from the partners, unsupportive external factors, unexpected growth in the business, so on and so forth. His 11 ventures are from different industries all together, let it be textile or event management and all over to adventure sports. Asking him questions on the same.

How did you managed getting into varied fields?

He said, I used to do thorough study of the field in which I am interested and I connect the dots as to related fields which actually supported main stream plan. For example: Before starting Flame of the Forest (Adventure Sports Company) he did thorough study as to which plantwill be most suitable, how much money to invest at the same time did deep study about the plants which will match the ambience of the area. So his special focus was on, do whatever you want to do, just spend some time doing a deep study about the area in which you have to work. "Less knowledge is worst knowledge".

How did you managed funds?

My friends invest on me. As they feel I am "the finest Horse in the Race Course". They always use to invest on me as they were sure that I am passionate about work and I do 360 degree analysis and study about each and every area I get into. Closing every business incur huge loses but I used to cover it in the next business and return it to them who invested it on me.

Any logic behind the name F-Cube?

Went to Delhi to study the concept og Cafe and Food lounge and was confused with the name of the Cafe. Travelling from Delhi airport to hotal room took me 30 minutes and at that time I saw a poster of Ram Gopal Verma and came to my mind was his name "Factory", so came p with the name Fast Food Factory. But it was a long and an unacceptable name. Than i got an idea as to my 9th venture was Fresh-O-Veg (Single F), 10th venture was Flame of the Forest (F Square) and the Fast Food Factory as F-Cube. I am really thankful to Ram Gopal Verma.

Any future plans?

Ya as I have live experience of 11 most demanded fields for which I have worked. I can start my own consultancy. It will really benefit my customers as I have exhaustive practical knowledge of all the fields I have worked.

My learnings:

1. Be passionate about whatever you are doing and success will surely follow you.

2. Do a lot of research before starting any business and continue your research for future developments.

3. Life is Zig-Zag, Ups and Downs will always be there is life. Don't get stuck in it. Find a solution and lead your life.

4. Follow your Ethics they will always help you.

Ye hai Indore meri jaan...............

Indore is well known as the city of Holkars.Located in the southern edge of Malwa plateau overlooking the valley of Narmada along the Vindhyanchal range. The city was ruled by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar, a famous queen of India, for a long period before she shifted her capital to Maheshwar. Madhya Pradesh is known as the Central part of India and its capital is Bhopal.

Indore is the commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh with bulk of its trade comming from Large, Medium and Small scale manufacturing industries. These industries range from Automobiles to Pharmaceuticals and from Petroleum refineries to Textiles. Major industrial area surrounding the city include the Pithampur Special Economic Zone, Sanwer Industrial belt, Dewas road having two major industries (Ruchi Soya and Tata International). As Malwa region is famous for Soyabean growing and its refining. Ruchi Soya is one of the biggest plant in Asia for processing and refining of Soyabean and its oil.
Indore is famous for its history of Queen Holkar, Food and its people. It is well said that "khatirdari to Marwadion aur Indoriyon ki dekho". Indoris are fond of food. We can say Indoris are Gourmet. Who like having varieties of food.

Starting with a brief Introduction about the famous things of Indore:

1. The breakfast of near to 80% of Indoris is Poha and Jalebi. There are more than 1000 stalls and shops in all over Indore. These shops are open 24*7*365 at some places and at other places it starts at 6:00-6:30 in the morning where Indoris as per their comfort go there and have heavy breakfast. The breakfast is continued till 11:00-11:30 am. One can have Poha, Jalebi at Anand bazaar, Chappan, Rajwada and so on.

2. Indore abounds in numerous temples and heritage sires. Lord Ganeshas temples are one of the famous places in Indore as the people of Indore are Devotees of Lord Ganesha. "Bada Ganpati and Khajarana" are two famous temples where majority people of Indore Preach lord Ganesha. One uncommon trend followed in Indore is, People of Indore follow Wednesday as Lord Ganesha's day, where as in all over India Tuesday is the day followed. But thats what Indoris are all about. Its a worth going place where people preach the dark yellow ideal or statue of Lord Ganesha. Bada Ganpati is near to Airport road and Khajarana is near Ring Road.

3. The third famous place in Indore is Kanch Mandir actually a Jain Temple located at Indore. Jainism is a stringent and harder than Buddhism where the Jainis follow Lord Mahavira. Lord Mahavira was the last tirthankara, who creates the four fold order namely the Monk, Nun, Layman and the Laywomen. In it there are two different sects of Jains they are Digamvara and the Svetambara. While the latter wears white clothes and the latter does not wear any. Jainism has been elaborately inscribed in the glass paintings of the Kanch Mandir.
The Mandir is basically constructed from the glass cuttings. The glasses are colored and display rare originality and splendor. The Jain king also known as the "Cotton King" , Sir Hukumchand eracted te Kanch Mandir. The emple was built in the 20th Century and the materials for the temple have been colected from various sources like Italy and Europe. In the Glass one may find the Jain Scriptures and they are beautifully decorated in the wall over the glass.

4. Rajwada is the Historical place of the Holkars. It was built about two centuries ago and is located near the Chhatris in the Centre of Indore. It is a seven storied structure, which serves as the living example of the grandeur of the Holkers. The new plae is on the north side, while the old place is on the old side of the town. The old place is a multi-storied building which also serves as a gateway of Rajwada. It stands amongst the crowdest street of Khajuri bazaar and face the main square of the city.
The entrance of Rajwada leads to huge courtyard, wich is surrounded by gallaried rooms and the arcaded Ganesh Hall, which was once the venue of all the state and religious functions. This hall is now used for art exibitions and classical music concerts. Rajwada has been burnt three times in history. The recent one was a big disaster. Now only the front part remains. But the whole building is been renovated, which has managed to bring back the old glory to some extent. In the rear part of the palace, a beautiful garden has been created. It contains fountains, an artificial waterfall and some magnificent pieces of the 11th century sculptures.

5. Chappan Dukan, a famous place in the new part of the city. This street is famous for having 56 shops of same size at a time. And those shops were famous for serving its food and beverages of different cuisines and tastes. Now many shops are merged together and big shops are created in return. Still the lane is as famous as before. Sweets of Madhuram and Agrawal are very famous and specially Bengali sweets and shikanji. The Namkeens of Prakash and Aakash are equally important which are used in Poha as well as while having food, to adjust the taste of the food. The Namkeens are famous all over India as well as Abroad. Yummy and Delicious Pani Puri, Bhel, Chole Bhature, Pav-Bhaji and so on gets water in our mouth. The Hot-dog of Johny is also famous amongst youngsters and many other food stalls. So Chappan Dukan is also a worth visiting place.

6. Sarafa Gali, the name specidfies its occupation. In the Daytime the whole area is famous for Gold and Jewellery shops. More than 500 shops are there in Sarafa, who deal in Gold and Jewellery related ornaments. After Sun sets, the front side (Kattas) of these shops are used by specific people to put their shops there. The Sarafa Food Gulli starts around 8 pm and lasts late in the night. Here Indian kind of food is available. Starting from Chole-Tikiya to Sabudane-Ki-Khichdi, from Jalebi & Mal-Pua to Bhutte-Ka-Kiis, from Joshi ji ke Dahi wade to Kulfi and Faluda, all is available at one place. Going to Joshi ji's shop is worth as he shows some magic while preparing the Dahi-wada Plate and while serving it. Its a worth visiting place if anyone wants to taste real Indore food. A lot of localites as well as outsiders visit this place every day.

7. Shopping is also very famous in Indore. Lets start with traditional form of Shopping. Rajwada, Kothari Market and Sarafa are the famous places for buying Clothes, Apparels, Gold and so on. Novelty Market as the name suggests is famous for Cosmetics, Electronics and in specific Mobiles. All these places have many shops for a particular thing and bargaining is the base for these markets.

Then for the modern form of shopping includes Malls like Treasure Island, Mangal City, C-21 Mall, Indore Central and so on. These places are famous for one place shopping and all famous brands are available here. So People from all over the place come to Indore to shop in Traditional format shops. Marriage collection is also famous in Indore in places like: Ithlathi, Satya Paul and so on.

8. For entertainment purpose Indore has a lot of places as well. Starting from Nakhrali Dhani and Chowki Dhani. These places have a set-up of Rajasthani Culture and ambience, where magic shows, puppet dance, Traditional Dance, Animal rides, Delicious Rajasthani Dance, Water Park and many other things are there for entertainment. Friends and Family can spend whole day there and as there are in the outskirts of the city people can stay there ar nights as well.Then comes modern ways of entertainment. One can go to Sayaji for Swimming, Indoor and Outdoor sports, Disc and Bowling. Treasure Island and C-21 malls are another options for the same.

There are many other places near Indore where one can go and enjoy. The Video will explain far better than my words.

Dear Family and Friends, I hope you got some valuable insights of how Indore is and what all things are possible in Indore.