At BrilliantRead Media, we always strive to bring some of the meaningful and powerful stories from around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. This week, we invited yet another passionate entrepreneur Arnav Bajoria to know more about his inspiring journey and the way forward. He is a Seasoned Entrepreneur, Business Leader and Chief Executive Officer of The Kati Roll Shop. Let’s learn more about him and his advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with him:
Talk us through your background and your journey as an entrepreneur, please;
I did my schooling from the prestigious good Shepherd International School in Ooty, from there I moved on to Bishop Cotton Boys School in Bangalore. My college was completed from NIFT, Chennai. Once I had graduated from NIFT like everyone in my batch I had applied for a job through campus placement with Raymond’s apparels in thane and from there my professional career began.
After spending over 4 years with Raymonds I wanted to quit and start something I have always wanted to do, open a restaurant. My family has always supported me in many ways than I can count but were a little hesitant at first as this was the first time anyone in the family wanted to get into the f&b sector. So they suggested me to get some training in a restaurant or a hotel kitchen to understand the nuances of the business, I trained for a year with brands like courtyard Marriot and Sangeetas and went on to get a job at a leading Italian restaurant in Chennai and worked my way up to operation manager. From there I started a community kitchen where we would invite people to try a meal fully prepared by me and served me. This helped me in understanding this business on a first-hand basis with minimum investment.”
Later on, I realized there wasn’t a good place in Chennai that sells Kati rolls, it was then that I had started a small 80sq ft shop with 2 cooks from West Bengal. From there on one thing led to another and now after nearly 6 years, we are a 17 unit strong brand with branches in Chennai, Salem, Coimbatore, Pondicherry and Trivandrum.
I have learnt many things during my journey but 2 things stick by me are that learning never stops and money is just a by-product of your hard work.
We are aware of all the good work you are doing in your space; what keeps you going?
My family, My work and My principles.
Why did you choose entrepreneurship over a corporate career?
I chose entrepreneurship over a corporate career because I wanted to something more inclusive with my life. I wanted to provide jobs and wanted to teach people what I know and learn from them. This gives me satisfaction and helps me sleep well at night.
Please share with us some of the challenges you faced in your journey;
I have faced many challenges from having no money to pay salaries, to non-acceptance from peers. From my kitchen staff running away after receiving their salaries to unfair landlords evicting me illegally.
But these challenges were my biggest education to date. These challenges thought me how to adapt and stay humble.
What is your business mantra: money or emotions?
Like I said earlier money should always be a by-product of your hard work. Emotions are extremely important in today’s time it gives character to your company.
How do you handle the pressure and manage stress?
When you love what you do then pressure and stress are managed by doing the very thing that causes them. Ignorance and non-consistency lead to stress and pressure.
Hence I try to be as well-informed and consistent with what I do.
I also love binge-watching Netflix when I get the time. Or take my daughter to the beach.
What has worked well for you so far?
I would consider my self as a privileged individual; however, the teachings of my mentors and key family persons over the years have helped me create an edge over my competition.
Given the rapid pace at which the world is changing, what are the leadership traits that are necessary for success?
Updated knowledge in your subject, willingness to learn and compassion for your team
What are the business mantras you have embraced as you sought to establish your success story?
Don’t rush, good things take time
In your opinion what are the keys to success?
I am still being too young to define success. But I know this “the 2 ‘r’s in life are reasons and results, and reasons don’t count’
We would love to know your advice for all those starting out as an entrepreneur?
Don’t jump into anything without a swot analysis and know this that training is more important than education. So please work for a few years in the field you would like to get in as an entrepreneur and then take a decision.
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.
