As part of our relentless efforts to identify and share some of the meaningful stories from India and around the world, this week we invited Passionate Entrepreneur and Leader Aftab Kamalapur for an interview with us. He is the Chief Operating Officer of wealth management tech startup – Zeva Astras. Let’s learn more about his insights and his journey this far!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with him:
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey, please;
Normally every middle-class person has a dream to grow big and I was one of them. With a degree in commerce and with big dreams I moved to Bangalore. Since then I have worked with renowned financial houses like Motilal Oswal, Karvy and JM financial. I recently shifted gears to construct something on my own with Zeva Astras.
How do you find the industry/niche that you’re in?
I always wanted to be a part of a dynamic set-up.
The investments sector is one such domain which is the most dynamic. Over the years I have developed a strong understanding of the movements. It was thus time for me to execute my experiences in a better way.”
At Zeva Astras, we are trying to build products which would cater to the dynamic wants of the investors.
You might have heard a popular phrase “Markets are too risky”, trust me this is a myth which we would want to change. We intend to leverage the market by tech-based tools and mitigate the risks for them. The ensuing slowdown is actually an opportunity for investors to generate high returns.
What challenges/obstacles did you face in your journey so far?
The slowdown triggered by the ensuing pandemic is by far the biggest challenge. But, every obstacle comes with an opportunity and we have to utilize that. As an entrepreneur, we need to come out with a solution to the problem persisting in the market.
We are equipping our self to combat challenges that face our investors.
“Yes we are facing tough times but that has made us stronger and pushes us towards development.”
What is one strategy that you believe has helped you grow as a person?
“Trust in one’s self” is what guides you towards growth. I think people don’t understand the power inherent in themselves. Firstly one should learn from their mistakes and avoid repeating it, secondly learn from others mistakes. I quote Mr Jim Rohn “it’s good to learn from your mistakes, but it is BETTER to learn from others mistakes, and it is BEST to learn from other people’s successes. It accelerates your own success”.
In your opinion what are the keys to success?
There are many books written on this subject and that too by renowned authors. I think only 3 words drives an individual towards success.
1 – Belief – Trust yourself
2 – Team – Success will never come to you until you pass through a journey from I to WE
3 – Vision – Daring to SEE the future.
How do you place ZEVA ASTRAS in this tough economic landscape amidst COVID- 19 pandemic?
I am an optimistic person and always had worked with a positive attitude. Yes, it is a tough time but I believe challenges make you stronger and smarter.
This pandemic has come out as an opportunity, markets have corrected by 30%. This indicates that investors have a chance to invest in good companies at a discounted price. This is not the first time that the economies have fallen flat on its face. Smart investments need to be made solely based on technology. Zeva Astras is in an advantageous position as its devices investment strategies that can wither any situation. Our products increase the confidence of the investors and generate returns even when the markets are volatile.
When a problem arises, people tend to talk about it, but they never consider finding a solution. They feel no obligation in addressing the problem until and unless they are personally getting affected by it, while those who fall under Generation X struggle to move up the corporate ladder because Baby Boomers aren’t retiring as early as planned, those who fall under Generation Y have been making their own income in innovative ways. Entrepreneurship is the way forward. India is a developing country and its development is truly the hard work of its people. India has produced many great scholars, scientists, intellectuals and even entrepreneurs. The sense of achieving is deep-rooted in Indians and that’s the reason Indians are doing great works in almost all countries. Of all the success stories you have heard of, probably the most enthralling ones are those where young adults and teenagers put their mark on this world! Their drive to be on the top of the financial chain is what is inspirational. This article will present some of the Insights about being entrepreneurs, and we hope it will inspire you and help you realize that it’s neither never too late or never too early to pursue your dreams of being a business owner.
Why NOW?
This is the phase where everyone is scared and don’t have any idea about where we are heading? So I believe this is the right time and opportunity to come out of your fear and do your max.
Whenever disaster has happened, be it 1929 (great depression) or 2008 (subprime), it has always rewarded those people who have taken, that out of the mile step which made him/her successful.”
That key to success is your belief in yourself. If you want to be successful first and foremost is to conquer yourself and then the world is yours. The World is going in many ups and downs, you name any issue it’s up there in the globe somehow affecting your mind, your confidence and it’s trying to dominate and make you settle for less. It’s you who will decide whether you want to settle for more or less.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
