To startup or not to startup

There was a time, not too far gone, when after graduating one would be faced with the dilemma of hunting for a job. Cut to contemporary times, and a job is the last thing on the minds of 20 somethings. More and more young folk are looking to start their own businesses. HerStory spoke to some young enterprising women to find out what course they want to chart.

Ragini Srikrishna, Student, University of Illinois

“…it’s all about taking risks and being passionate…”

“I feel like I would start my own company. My Dad is an entrepreneur and I’ve seen him start up different companies at different periods in his life and he’s always been content with it and I’ve always seen how exciting it is since I was a little girl.

However, I would say it seems rather challenging to put myself through the process of starting my own company. It is definitely going to happen one day, that is something I know for sure. In the end, it’s all about taking risks and being passionate – both of which I can do!

Eventually, I just want to live in the city with a great job, a great group of friends, a strong social network and be content with what I’m doing. Aside from just being content, I want to give back to society too. I can only do this if I’m successful myself.”

Anjana Moraes, Student, Christ University

“I think about starting my own company all the time…”

“I would like to eventually move out of India – preferably over the next 10 years! I think about starting my own company all the time. I would like to do something along the lines of fashion designing. I’m really interested in it and want to pursue it educationally and occupationally. The only inhibitor would be the financial aspect of starting up.

I think success comes from hard work and love for what you are doing. It is my dream to be the best fashion designer in the world one day!”

Chaitrali Ketkale, Student, PES Institute of Technology

“I don’t know what’s stopping me…”

“I hope to start my own company in the next 2 years. I’m really interested in event management. Along with a couple of friends, I was planning to start something along these lines actually. Unfortunately, it never came together.

I don’t know what’s stopping me to tell you the truth. I guess I would like to continue studying really well and focus on getting more distinctions. I suppose it’s not easy to concentrate on a lot of things at once.”

 Sanjana Singh, Student, Mount Carmel College

“… communication is the key to helping people…”

“I definitely hope to start my own company. I feel I would be qualified enough to start it along the lines that I’ll be studying only after I finish my degree. I’m passionate about the field of communication and media – communication is the key to helping people.

However, I wouldn’t do any of this without having some prior experience in the field. That would improve the quality of my work and hopefully, enhance my success as an entrepreneur. On the flip side, I’ve seen many startups struggle to make it and that has obviously made me realize it’s important to be well equipped. That’s why my education is so important to me.”

Urvi Jacob, Student, Mount Holyhoke 

“I don’t mind starting up right out of college…”

“I’d start my own company in the future only if I’m upto it. It depends on the area I’m passionate about at the time. I mean, why not? If I do have a startup, it would probably be a fitness based company or along the lines of art. I don’t mind starting up right out of college, nothing would stop me then. I’d just go ahead and do it!”

Shwetha Jois, Student, Christ University

“All I really want to do is make a difference…”

“I plan on running two instiutions of my own – psychological and mental. One would be the mentally and criminally insane and the other is for the minority. When I say minority, I’m not referring to the one under the caste system but the third gender and the physically handicapped.

One fear I’ve seen many entrepreneurs face is lack of investment but I hope I’ll be able to overcome all the inevitable challenges. All I really want to do is make a difference. I want to bring out a change in India, it may seem like the hardest thing but I am motivated to do it!”

Sindhoora Yalla, Student, Christ University

“… perhaps by making them entrepreneurs themselves…”

“Travelling is what I want to do. But since I can’t make a career I like out of just travelling, I’ve decided to incorporate ethnographic research with product design which will hence allow me to travel wherever I want to.

When it comes to whether I would start my own company, I’m inclined to say no because I don’t want to be anyone’s manager, and every entrepreneur seems to end up in that role somewhere along his career. On the other hand, I’m also inclined to say yes because it means that I can increase my impact on other travellers in a more systematic manner.

The kind of company I would want to start would be something that involves empowerment of the marginalised through travel, perhaps by making them entrepreneurs themselves.”

Syeda Sania, Student, College Undecided

“Interest creates the power to be able to tackle any problem…”

“I definitely would start my own company given the circumstances at the time and if it were something I am genuinely interested in. Interest creates the power to be able to tackle any problem that might come up during the course of building a company.

If I could have my own company it would mostly deal with things I know about and would be interested in, I believe more in selling of a very tangible product than selling of an idea.

One thing that could stop me would be the fear of failure and not being able to hold everything together until it’s a body of its own and can function by itself. Things such as finance and investments are definitely something to be analyzed and weighed before committing to it.

In the long run, I just hope to be satisfied and content with decisions made.”

Gayathri Krishnaraj, Student, MOP Vaishnav College

“I guess I’m just not interested in starting my own company…”

“As far as I know myself I would not start my own company. I’m a person who hates a monotonous life. Setting up a own business would mean to go to the same place everyday work at the same thing. If I work for someone I get to change my working place. I get to have new expectations and develop new interests and work accordingly. I get a new atmosphere and vibe. That interests me more.

I guess I’m just not interested in starting my own company. In 10 years I see myself well settled. No, I don’t mean well settled as in married to some guy with kids. No. I mean well settled as in traveling the world to the places I’m dying to see. Working in a good production house or in an MNC. Living the life the way I want to – independent and carefree.

That’s where see myself in the next 10 years, as a carefree, independent and a strong woman.”

Prathibha Easwaran, Student, Christ University

“… no dream is too crazy to be left and forgotten…”

“As competitive as any field, music is tough, filled with money, tears and a lot of sacrifices. Any Musician would share the same opinion. Working different jobs, unsatisfactory conditions, but fueling himself by will is commonly his life until he makes his mark.

But the question that stands today is how many of us are brave enough to pursue our passion? In spite all the encouragement, despite all the ill fate, Passion is the only thing that can pull you along this string of harmonies, life and decisions.

If I were to start a company, it would be one that aspires to help others like me. Others with a passion they are struggling to pursue. To create opportunities, monetarily and physically helping people study and live by their passion. Sure it’s a long shot, but no dream is too crazy to be left and forgotten. The only thing that could stop me from achieving this ‘castle in the air’ is a deficit in my hard work and my lack of will.