Taking one step at a time

They are creative, feisty and fearless – the younger generation, who have faith in the world when it comes to experimenting with their careers, are taking a leap of faith to better their careers. With the right ideas, resources and skills, they have taken a plunge into the world of entrepreneurship even before they are fully aware of its challenges and the risks that might come their way.

Nivedha Charles, a graduate from National Institute of Fashion Technology, enjoyed designing hair accessories more than anything else in college. This interest soon translated into an enterprise, ‘Pigtails and Ponys’. She began selling hair accessories among college students and at exhibitions first. As the venture began to grow, by the end of college, she realised there is market for hair accessories, which she wanted to tap. There began her entrepreneurial journey.

The initial investment was just Rs 50, but now it has grown many times. “The biggest challenge I faced was to understand the business aspect of a company. We did not have any guidance and had to take one step at a time. We learnt from our mistakes and had to figure out things on our own. We first started selling our products, later created a website and then launched a company. Our journey has been challenging and exciting at the same time,” says Nivedha. 

One of the biggest issues that the students have to face is family and peer pressure, who try to dissuade them. Youngsters these days want to challenge the conventions and discover their potential in the most unexpected manner.

Sanjana Dilip, a 23-year-old, has done a one-year diploma in Interior Designing and also completed her BSc in Multimedia. She now earns her bread and butter through her enterprise, ‘Pink Feather’. Parental backing was critical for Sanjana to set up her business. “My parents have always been supportive and encouraging. My father actively participates in the venture by giving me strategies. He wants me to be an entrepreneur and scale great heights. My mother helps me with the crafting. There was no pressure from my parents or teachers to take up a mainstream job.”

Is getting a stable income an important factor for youngsters? According to many, money isn’t everything, and following your passion and doing what you love will eventually earn you money.

“One needs to experiment and discover themselves when in their 20s, before it gets too late. I wanted to do things differently as money can be earned eventually. But the experience and journey make a huge difference. The thought of doing something you love, with dedication and hard work, is all that matters,” says Rohith Subramanian, founder of ‘Fund My Dream’. He started his venture in 2013 as part of a college assignment and today, the start-up attempts to help artistes through crowd funding projects. The company initially raised money for charity, but now they cater to only creative projects. Believing in what you do and having a vision to see a company grow are the most important skills a young entrepreneur requires.

Nivedha sums up, “There are experienced entrepreneurs who have failed too, but that does not mean one should not plunge into entrepreneurship. Age and experience do not really matter if you are hardworking and dedicated. One needs to believe in oneself and take on things as they come, without getting dejected.”