ACHIEVER: The dream to set up a successful business, the challenges and the journey

NewsBits Business Desk

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He holds a degree in Electrical Engineering and had started his career long ago--initially worked for a transformer manufacturing unit, then got into sales, entered corporate world, subsequently, worked at high postitions with leading companies like Godrej, Airtel and many more, but never gave up on his ambition, a dream that was close to his heart.

When he was doing well in his career, he decided to go ahead and become a master of his own creation. Now, he is running his business--almost a decade as an entrepreneur, and is associated with social causes as well, apart from motivating youth. Meet the man--Saif Rahman, who finally made his dream come true. Here, he tells the story himself. Read it:

Like many other individuals, I too had this desire to be a successful businessman. 

After graduating as electrical engineer, I had opted for sales and marketing as my career and it was the time when I struggled a bit with an obvious question that is it the perfect decision to get into sales and marketing after engineering. I felt that I had a flair of meeting people and promoting the product I know about and deal in.

But, I was also extremely clear that I'd prefer to be in sales and marketing of technical products so that I could utilise my qualification of being an engineer. During my corporate career I handled all sorts of products--ranging from office automation to airconditioners.

Then, I spent a long time in telecom business where I was handling top accounts. Working in large conglomerate(s) gave me huge learning, especially. in areas like emerging technologies along with handling people directly and indirectly. I thoroughly enjoyed my tenure. I am very thankful to almighty for giving me great exposure and for making me wise in investing my savings judicially.

As I mentioned earlier that I had a keen inclination to own a business so I kept on to looking out for a befitting opportunity and in 2013, I got my first breakthrough. I decided to steadily shift from the nine to five job and set up something of my own. First, I implemented a plan regarding warehouse construction. This endeavour had lot of challenges at initial stages.

In the midst of last decade, I was doing well at a high rank in my company but I had decided that it was enough. The reversal of role, from employed to an employer--it was my aim. Time was to pursue this dream. I left corporate world and started pursuing my business aspirations, fully. I launched a premium mineral water brand for my friend in Central India.

Then, after establishing the business successfully for three years I launched my own brand for premium alkaline water. Today it's one of the most trusted and respected brand in mineral water industry. Apart from expanding the businesses, I also started consulting companies on Go To Market Strategy.

In fact, many years ago I had also toyed with idea of launching electric cycle and had launched it. It was received well but it didn't click as per the expectactions. But I learn a lot in this process. There have been many such lessons and I remained persistent, always remained optimistic.

Today with god's grace, I am comfortably placed. When you are not an employee, you can take decisions. Another positive aspect is that I have ample time to spend with family, no one to review my performance and progress, no one to answer except myself. This freedom to take decision purely from your wisdom is really soothing.

I can tell everyone that sooner or later you must get into entrepreneurship, even if you are a successful professional. Keep your plan B ready and keep moving. Don't get bogged down with size or scale of business, as any small business you do , you are never behind any biz baron, as this is a field that gives you opportunity to have the same power and freedom. 

Keep yourself light by having zero debts. Live life to fullest, don't be miser, money multiplies when you plan well and be careful with investments. Be generous, keep some social cause close to yourself, give back to the society, devote time and energy on positive works and helping the less privileged.

Last but not the least, I would say that you must pursue your entrepreneurship in the field you are good at. I decided to go for sales, warehousing, consultancy, before running the business and building the brand. I applied and improved my skills in my two decades' career in corporate world. My message to youth is that--;the Key is to Start, rest is history;.

[Saif Rahman spoke to NewsBits.in about his career and the journey. This is part of a series of success stories in order to motivate the young generation and students]