Young minds at work

HAFSA FATHIMA meets five city entrepreneurs who in their twenties chose to take the path less travelled

March 31, 2015 08:26 pm | Updated 08:26 pm IST

Sarvesh Shashi

Sarvesh Shashi

Shruti Vinod, 24

Ace Development Skills

If Harry Potter taught us anything, it’s that tea leaves should be taken seriously. “I helped my uncle set up his own tea business when I was still in college,” she says, “That was when I knew that I wanted to set up a venture of my own.” Waving goodbye to the beverage world, she decided to co-found Ace Development Skills with her parents in 2012, right after graduating. Reaching out to people at the bottom of the economic pyramid, the company uses skill development to help rural and urban youth find employment. “We train them in hospitality, retail, beauty culture and mobile repair,” she says.

At 24 with her own company, the stress of managing executives twice her age and handling financial matters are immense.

A packed day at work means she gives up on movie dates and going to clubs. “But, I’ve always wanted to do something with a social impact,” she says. “And even though I’ve had to grow up faster than most people my age, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

Zeba Abdur Rahman, 22

Paper to Bag

Give Zeba a A2-sized brown paper and watch her craft it into a gift bag. Not surprisingly her start-up, Paper to Bag specialises in paper boxes and paper-based party supplies.

Her inspiration to create things from scratch started in school. “I think kids have lost their ability to think out of the box, which is why I conduct gift bag-making workshops to inculcate that spirit.” Using recycled paper to create her products, there’s no limit to the themes and events she caters to.

Though she works with a team who help make her bags, she handles clients, finance and marketing single-handedly. “There are days when you wish you could have someone who could understand the struggle of being young and running a business.”

Surya Chidambaram, 23

OCE Study Abroad

Surya Chidambaram’s business card says something most 24 year-old’s don’t; CEO. While studying in Singapore, he took over marketing for his family’s consultation agency, OCE Study Abroad and learnt the business in three months.

“I’ve always been inspired by people leaving their homes and comfort zones to do bigger things,” he says.

“I did work for other companies when I was first starting outbut I always wanted my own enterprise.”

Zoheb Anser Khalid, 21

Bakers Ink

There are two things that matter very much to Zoheb Anser Khalid and his team at Bakers Ink — food and happiness. They combined the two and came up with the 100 Happy Jars Campaign which went viral. And so, last December, 100 people found a free dessert jar waiting on their doorstep, delivered personally by Zoheb and his team.

“Food has always been a passion that I’ve wanted to share with others. I started Bakers Ink that makes dessert jars with white chocolate, chocolate mousse, strawberry filling and our secret crunch,” he says.

A graduate of Loyola College, Zoheb had to find time for class and putting his project together. “Being on your feet the entire day can be strenuous, especially when you’re trying to set up a business and also finish a class assignment. But you take it as a learning experience.”

Sarvesh Shashi, 22

Zorba

There were other, safer paths for Sarvesh to take that didn’t include starting a yoga and holistic healing centre. “At 21, I had the option to go abroad for graduate school or work for my family’s business. I also played cricket and could’ve taken it up professionally. But then I I wanted to start something that would help change people’s lives.” His studio offers 14 different kinds of yoga and believes in “guiding people to live, not just to exist”.

“As an entrepreneur, it’s good to work in an environment where you get to de-stress.” But even tranquil sanctuaries have their rough days. “Financially, there are ups and downs,” he says. “Surprisingly enough, people take you seriously when they find out you’re 23 with your own business. They see how much you take on and respect you for it.”

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