The Fortune Founders: Unraveling the Journeys of Business Titans

Success comes in many shapes and forms, but only a few like Ritesh Agarwal, Founder and CEO of OYO Hotels & Homes, are able to recognize it even in its most famous disguise: failure. While most people would be quick to describe his life as a typical “rags-to-riches story,” Ritesh’s journey is more of an inspirational tale about a young Indian man who turned his biggest setbacks into one of his greatest successes. After all, it’s not every day that you hear of a billion-dollar empire being built out of affordable solutions – and even if you did, you wouldn’t expect to find a 20-something college dropout helming it. But this is perhaps what makes Ritesh’s story incredibly ‘rich’ with hope: it makes ordinary people believe in the extraordinary power of their dreams. Growing up in India Ritesh was born in the scenic town of Bissam Cuttack, in the state of Odisha, India. He comes from a family of small-time entrepreneurs who ran a modest business in Southern Orissa. At the age of eight,...

Only when someone is determined about doing something and puts tremendous effort towards their goal can they succeed. The success of Vijay Sankeshwar, also referred to as the "trucking king of India," is proof positive that perseverance and hard work are always worthwhile. Vijay's strong work ethic, independent thinking, and unwavering determination have brought him this far that from a single truck he purchased with a loan, he is now the proud owner of about 5700 vehicles. Vijay Sankeshwar owns the largest logistics company in India, VRL Group.  The millionaire businessman also owns India's largest fleet of commercial vehicles. He has launched the leading newspaper in Kannada, Vijaya Vani. In addition, he has been awarded the Padma Shri by the government of India for his contribution to trade and commerce. Early life of Vijay Sankeshwar Vijay Sankeshwar was born in Karnataka. He holds a degree in commerce. Vijay's father owned a printing press and encouraged him ...

Chandubhai Virani's tenacity transformed a simple wafer idea into the mega-successful Balaji Wafers brand, touching Rs 4,000 crore revenue. Every great venture has a story, and the tale of Chandubhai Virani’s meteoric rise from hardship to helming a business empire exemplifies this. It’s a story of determination, vision, and unwavering grit. Chandubhai’s early life was marked by financial struggles. Born into a modest family, he could only complete education up to the 10th grade. Hoping for a brighter future, his family shifted to Dhundoraji, starting anew with their father's scant savings. Chandubhai and his brothers, Meghjibhai and Bhikhubhai, initially delved into an agricultural products and farm equipment venture in Rajkot with an investment of Rs 20,000. However, the enterprise stumbled and folded within a span of two years.  The brothers found themselves juggling multiple minor jobs. From repairing cinema seats to pasting posters and working at a cinema canteen, Chandubh...

In the bustling heart of India, a tale unfolds that shatters the mold of conventional success. It's the story of the Kamath brothers, Nikhil and Nithin - two young men who dared to defy the status quo and built an empire, Zerodha, that democratized access to the stock market.  A Version of Their Own Education: Nikhil, a self-proclaimed school dropout, found his passion early on, not in textbooks, but in the world of chess. Strategy, calculated moves, and a keen eye for the bigger picture resonated with him. Nithin, the elder brother, pursued a more traditional path but shared Nikhil's thirst for financial knowledge. Diving into the Deep End: Their unconventional journey began at a call center. While handling customer queries, the brothers spent their off-hours studying the markets, their fascination with the ebb and flow of stocks growing stronger. Nikhil, at a mere 17, took a bold step. With his father's unwavering trust, he ventured into the stock market, his first inves...

After being bullied at school for her Indian accent and crooked neck, and facing a string of job rejections after college, Radhika Gupta turned her life around and climbed the corporate ladder to become one of India's youngest CEOs at the age of 33. She shared her inspiring story "I was born with a crooked neck. If that wasn't enough to single me out-I was always the new kid in the school," Radhika Gupta, chief executive officer of Edelweiss told The daughter of a diplomat father, she lived in India, Pakistan and New York before arriving in Nigeria, where she says her Indian accent was judged.  "They named me 'Apu', a character from The Simpsons," said Gupta of her former classmates. Add to that, she also had to face unfavourable comparisons with her mother, who Gupta says is a "stunning woman." At the age of 22, things came to a head for Gupta after she faced her seventh job rejection. "I looked out of the window and said I’ll jump!...

In 2007, Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia, two Stanford University design students struggling with rent, hatched a seemingly outlandish idea: renting out an air mattress on the floor of their apartment to attendees of a conference that had booked all the hotel rooms. This simple act of hospitality, born out of necessity, sparked the birth of a global phenomenon. The Early Days: Air Bed and Breakfast Chesky and Gebbia, along with their friend Nathan Blecharczyk, launched a website called "Air Bed and Breakfast" where they offered their apartment space as a budget-friendly alternative to traditional hotels. They created a simple website with photos of their apartment and a description of the experience. Little did they know, this website would soon attract guests from all over the world. Challenges and Pivots The initial success was met with challenges. Convincing people to sleep on a stranger's air mattress required a leap of faith from both guests and hosts. Building trust and...

In the ever-evolving world of e-commerce, few companies have carved a niche quite as glamorous as Nykaa. This Indian beauty behemoth, often dubbed the "Sephora of India," has revolutionized the way millions of women (and men) shop for cosmetics and wellness products. But behind the glittering facade of lipsticks and serums lies the inspiring story of Falguni Nayar, the woman who dared to dream big and build a beauty empire at a time when most would consider themselves settled. From Investment Banking to Beauty Queen: A Bold Leap Falguni Nayar's journey is a testament to the power of passion and calculated risk. A graduate of Mumbai's prestigious Sydenham College and IIM Ahmedabad, Nayar spent nearly two decades excelling in the demanding world of investment banking. Yet, amidst the boardrooms and financial spreadsheets, a different kind of fire burned within her – a love for makeup and the transformative power of beauty. At 46, a turning point arrived. Inspired by the...

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, Google stands as a titan. It's not just a search engine anymore; it's a verb, a synonym for finding information online. But Google's story isn't one of overnight success. It's a captivating tale of innovation, calculated risks, and a relentless pursuit of organizing the world's information. So, let's delve into the fascinating journey of Google, from its humble beginnings in a dorm room to its current status as a global tech giant. The Birth of BackRub: A Stanford Story (1996-1998) Our story begins in the mid-1990s at Stanford University, where Larry Page and Sergey Brin, two brilliant PhD students in computer science, were wrestling with the burgeoning chaos of the internet. The web was growing exponentially, with information scattered across countless websites. Finding relevant and reliable resources was a cumbersome task. Driven by this frustration, Page and Brin embarked on a research project called "BackRub....