At BrilliantRead Media, we always strive to bring to our community some of the finest stories from the entrepreneurship world. As part of this endeavour, we invited yet another passionate entrepreneur – Rohit Bhardwaj for an exclusive interview with us. Rohit is an Architect, Interior Designer and Founder and CEO of TECTICONISM Studio. Let’s learn more about his inspiring journey, background and advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Rohit:
Talk us through your background and your journey to become an entrepreneur, please;
I come from a family of farmers who used to rely on loans from banks or wealthy individuals in the nearest town to finance their crops until they were sold in the market. If we were lucky, we might have made a profit of 5%-10% to sustain us for the rest of the year.
Despite these challenging circumstances, my parents had a dream that their children would have access to education and not have to rely solely on agriculture for a living.
To make this dream a reality, they arranged for me to attend Janta Bal Vidyalaya, which was nearly 12 kilometers away from our village, for my primary education. Later, I went to Sarvodaya School, a government-run institution, in Delhi for my secondary education.
I continued my education by obtaining a diploma in Architectural Assistantship from BTE Delhi and then completing my Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from DCRUST Murthal. Looking back, I can see that my journey has been one of rare opportunities that I have worked hard to make the most of.
“During my diploma pursuit, I established contact with an Italian architect by the name of “Bardia Azizi.” Together, we generated online content pertaining to architectural and interior design on an international scale. Additionally, I organized and hosted a “Peace One Day” event at India Gate for two consecutive years.”
Hosting events at India Gate was a pivotal moment for me as it helped me realize that I possessed leadership qualities and had the ability to dream big for my country. This realization prompted me to establish my own firm, TECTICONISM Studio, immediately after completing my diploma.
During my graduation, my Head of Department, Mr. Nikender Gulia, played a significant role in my growth by encouraging me to look at the world with a broader perspective. He was an outstanding art faculty who always advised me to begin with small efforts, which could eventually lead to a massive impact.
Under his guidance, I led my college in NASA conventions (National Association of Students of Architecture). Although we were in the initial stages of participating in NASA, it served as another turning point, pushing me to recognize my leadership qualities and my potential to make a significant impact on my nation through my dreams.
My career began as a junior architect at an outsourcing firm that provided Architectural & Interior Design services. Through hard work and dedication, I advanced to the position of Team Leader, overseeing a team of 15-20 individuals.
From the directors and top leaders of the company, I gained a wealth of management skills. However, at some point, I came to the realization that my progress had stagnated and that I was not headed in the right direction. As a result, I made the difficult decision to depart from the company in order to pursue my own dreams.
What attracts you towards entrepreneurship instead of a corporate career?
When pursuing a corporate career, one may engage in exciting activities; however, there are limitations that can hinder one’s ability to achieve their desired life goals.
Although many individuals find satisfaction in this lifestyle due to the perks it offers, such as quality time with loved ones, enjoyable weekends, vacations, bonuses, and a good salary, I personally find it too mundane. Instead, I am inspired by individuals who think beyond the norm and make a positive impact on the world, as seen in TED Talks and Think School videos on YouTube.
Without the contributions of less than 1% of the world’s youth who think outside the box, the world would not have reached the level it currently occupies. Although I do not have a role model, I am motivated by individuals who have faced adversity and persevered, such as founders who started from scratch, worked tirelessly for 18-20 hours a day, nearly went bankrupt, but ultimately achieved success beyond their wildest dreams.
I desire to feel the same sense of achievement by making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. I refuse to conform to the norm and waste my time on social media, engaging in political arguments like 99% of the youth in my country. Instead, I have chosen to become an entrepreneur rather than pursuing a corporate career.
‘TECTICONISM Studio’ is such a unique name; talk us through more about it, please. Our audience would also love to know what kind of problem you are solving?
‘TECTICONISM’ represents a distinctive identity of its own, signifying “A period of progression from inception to completion.”
Our company offers design documentation services to clients overseas, specializing in a wide range of projects including hospitals, commercial buildings, residential properties, hospitality venues, and retail spaces.
During this COVID-19 crisis, what are the measures you have undertaken to continue your business without disruption?
Although COVID-19 was undoubtedly a challenging time for many, for our business it was surprisingly positive. During the lockdown, we witnessed firsthand the beneficial impact it had on people’s lives, which was encouraging.
We were particularly pleased to discover that we could implement work-from-home arrangements, something we never thought was possible prior to the pandemic. This turned out to be a great success for us, thanks to the support of our freelancers who joined us at a time when they needed to take care of their families.
Despite initial difficulties, we persevered and overcame them. As a result, we gained a wealth of new knowledge and skills, including working with servers, drive, screen sharing, and Zoom meetings. These new tools and techniques have made a tremendous difference in the way we operate, and we are grateful for the experience gained during this time.
How do you manage to keep going despite the challenges? What drives you?
The only thing on this planet that propels growth, makes the journey amazing, and drives us forward is challenges. Without challenges, progress stagnates. Personally, I am unafraid of challenges because my perspective on them differs. I find that many complications disappear when faced head-on.
When challenges arise, I never hesitate to seek advice from my team and close friends. By brainstorming ideas together, we find solutions that I can then integrate into my own. This is how challenges help us grow. Keeping things simple rather than needlessly complicated is key.
In my opinion, challenges are the most effective way to overcome difficult situations and move forward. To be unstoppable, it is crucial to have confidence in oneself and in the people around us.
Who do you believe has been the biggest source of motivation?
My biggest source of motivation stems from my parents’ hard work to bring me to this level of success, although there is still a way to go.
Seeing the smiles on their faces and tears of joy in my grandfather’s eyes inspires me to strive for even greater achievements. Additionally, the unwavering trust and belief of my siblings, close friends, team, and mentors provide me with daily drive and determination.
To be candid, during the early stages of my business, I felt frustrated and doubtful. However, I received invaluable support from individuals such as Su, Kapil, and Siddartha, who worked tirelessly day and night, putting in up to 18 hours a day to bring our project to fruition. Their dedication and hard work were the greatest source of motivation during that time.
Nowadays, when I enter the office, I am filled with energy and inspiration by the enthusiasm and dedication of my team, who are determined to accomplish our goals and finish tasks with great enthusiasm. It’s a feeling that makes my day, every day.
What are some of the strategies that you believe have helped you grow as a person?
Here are some of the ones:
(a) Maintaining honesty, even when it’s difficult to do so.
(b) Being willing to lend a hand to others when needed.
(c) Taking responsibility for my actions and their consequences.
(d) Cultivating a polite demeanour, even though it may not always work out.
(e) Treating others with respect and honouring their dignity.
(f) Being eager to learn and adapt to new methods and technologies.
Given the rapid pace at which the world is changing, what are the leadership traits that are necessary for success?
Possessing the ability to make bold decisions, approach difficult situations calmly, actively listen to and resolve problems, make tough calls when necessary, embrace emerging technologies, are among the most valuable leadership traits one can possess.
You are always positive and motivated, what keeps you going?
To be honest, I wasn’t always a positive person. It wasn’t until I started my own venture and built a team of eight people that I realized the power of positivity. I learned that being negative doesn’t get you anywhere, but being positive can lead you down a path of success.
Personally, I try to cultivate positivity by doing things like reading novels, meditating, going for solitary walks, or simply sitting and being present.
As for motivation at work, there’s nothing quite like receiving positive feedback from a satisfied overseas client. When a client tells us that they never expected Indians to be so good at detailing, it gives me goosebumps and motivates us to keep submitting high-quality work.
We strive to be recognized not just by our names or firm, but by our nationality as well. This is a major source of inspiration for everyone in our studio.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
In my opinion, success can be achieved by following these essential principles:
Consistency: Maintaining a regular and persistent approach towards your goals is crucial for success.
Risk Assessment and Action: It is important to evaluate the risks involved in any decision and take calculated steps to move forward.
Preparation: Practicing and refining your skills and strategies before facing challenges will help you perform better and achieve success.
Resilience: Being able to handle mistakes and criticism constructively is a valuable skill that can help you grow and succeed.
Focus and Discipline: Staying focused and disciplined in your efforts will help you achieve your goals and overcome obstacles.
Positive Attitude: Maintaining a positive attitude towards handling difficult situations is crucial for success.
Perseverance: It is essential to keep moving forward and never give up on your goals, even in the face of obstacles and challenges.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
I believe that while I may not be the most qualified person to offer advice, I would like to share my thoughts. When making career choices, it’s important not to compare yourself to others and their successes.
Instead, prioritize your own happiness and keep pushing forward. During your early career days, focus on learning and practising as much as you can. Don’t solely focus on money; choose a career that offers growth opportunities, and the money will eventually follow.
While it may seem like frequently switching jobs is the key to career growth, this isn’t always the case. Specializing in a particular area can be your greatest asset, so make sure to develop and master your strengths.
While it’s essential to learn a diverse set of skills, becoming an expert in one area can set you apart from the competition.
Lastly, it’s crucial to pursue your dreams and have faith in yourself and the process. Trusting in your abilities and having a positive mindset can help attract positive outcomes in your career and personal life.
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.
