Satya Narayanan, Chairman, Career Launcher India Ltd in conversation with YourStory

When we got the opportunity to interact with Satya Narayanan, the Founder of Career Launcher, we set out with two personal agendas – one to find out about his journey without the gloss and second to get an inside peek into the man who is now a legend in entrepreneurial circles... It’s a tough task covering an industry veteran like Satya who has been making news since 1995 when he launched Career Launcher but we gave it our best J.His story is one of success and learning with Career Launcher now present in 225 locations in India, UAE and th US. Career Launcher today tops the Asian education market raking in around 125 crores in topline annually which is a huge leap from its first year revenues of just under 17000 rupees.

We hope this interview with Satya Narayanan will give you some new insights and give you one more reason to choose your own entrepreneurial path.

However before we begin let us tell you that a trait we have commonly observed in successful entrepreneurs is there in Satya too… He is self effacing, makes fun of himself and is extremely down to earth.

Career Launcher is a success story. What has enabled this success according to you?

Satya: To put it in one word, it would be Authenticity. Be it the authenticity of approach, authenticity in our commitment to make a difference, we have ensured from day one to be what we are. Nothing works for an individual, brand or company as integrity of every employee towards a goal, integrity towards achieving a dream and integrity to make a difference. This is in our DNA from day one and it has worked in our favour. Of course I don’t undermine the importance of choosing the right market, cities, choosing the right team (finding people much better then yourself as an entrepreneur) etc but if your personal and professional vision align to creating something meaningful then nothing is impossible.

On a lighter note, I hope you have heard of a popular Gujarati quote, if you survive for 1000 days then you survive for a 1000 years. Its important to last the 1000 days for any venture to raise its chances of succeeding and we did that.

We as a nation remain enamored by success stories as far as entrepreneurship is concerned. What is your take on Failure? Especially with so many ventures shutting down regularly.

Satya: I love failures and challenges. Career Launcher is a result of a few things that we did right but many things that we did not do right. Failure is the best friend of an entrepreneur, more so of a Startup...the point is to realize it. Every Failure is like a challenge thrown at you, either you decide to do your own homework and come back better or get bogged down by it. Nobody becomes Successful until and unless he or she has faced many failures. I have had my share of challenges and failures on regular intervals. But every challenge has challenged my inner drive and I have come out more driven and focused towards a cause. An entrepreneur has to tap into his inner energy and keep marching ahead.

You started alone at 23 years of age, without a partner, team or plan. How was it? How was it for your family?

Satya : (laughs) When you decide to commit suicide you go alone and so I went alone. In fact my friends and well wishers dissuaded me from starting. But I had only one thought in my mind – pursue what I enjoy and have the freedom to pursue what I enjoy. As far as my family is concerned they had given up on me some time back itself, when in Class 12^th I asked my father to be given a chance to play cricket rather than give the board exams.

On a serious note. its aptly said every team begins with I. I started and eventually got the right team who made the right plans and stayed on the right path.

You are part of the Dell Take Your Own Path Campaign. How important is Technology for you?

We are present across 225 locations in India, UAE and US with over 400 academicians reaching over One Lakh students at any given time so technology plays a key role in our operations. Career Launcher relies on Dell Custom Factory Integration to configure its Vostro™ laptops for worry-free performance.

Your advice to all the Startups and young people across India who plan to start?

Self Awareness is a key to achieving any dream. Be aware of your strengths, weakness’, likes, interests and joys. Align and harmonize your personal and professional goals, your chances of achieving will be considerably higher. Never fear Failure or get bogged down by challenges. The more you face them head on the more you leave them behind.

We at YourStory thank Satya for indulging us and giving our readers an insightful view on what it means to take your own path. We wish Satya and Career Launcher all the best as they continue building their benchmark global venture.

To know more about Satya Narayanan log on to www.dell.co.in/takeyourownpath

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