Furlenco’s Ajith Karimpana: 'My greatest regret is spending 10 years in the corporate world'
Quick Bytes with Ajith Karimpana of Furlenco
Ajith Karimpana, 38, is the founder and CEO of Bengaluru-based furniture and appliances' rental startup Furlenco. Before taking the entrepreneurial plunge in 2011, he was working in the US at Goldman Sachs. He has worked with Infosys earlier.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
A book in my hand while seated in front of mountains.
What is your greatest fear?
To fail my employees.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
I don’t take a stand fast enough.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Making it hard to trust.
Which living person do you admire the most?
Elon Musk.
What is your greatest extravagance?
I leased out a fancy car once.
What is your current state of mind?
I have created something which will not shut down even if I switch it off. That makes me content.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Giving an answer on the spot. I prefer taking a moment to speak.
On what occasion do you lie?
When there is a better result at the end.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
There was a time when I wanted hair, but now I am okay about it. Why should anyone care about their appearance? But I have read that the world is generally biased towards better looking people.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Leadership
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Leadership, even more than men. Because the world keeps trying to keep women from going up.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
You’re sitting on a gold mine.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
I have become a dispassionate person over the years.
When and where were you happiest?
The first time I got funding.
Which talent would you like to have?
Dancing. I embarrass myself in office parties.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I want to be on time while taking decisions.
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
Modi – he takes a stand at the right time, sticks with it. People judge you anyway.
Where would you most like to live?
Kerala
What is your most treasured possession?
Dispassion
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Not having money
What is your favourite occupation?
Drinking -- just to relax, and not every day.
What is your most marked characteristic?
I have learnt from others that I am good at convincing and charming people, which is why people stick with me.
What do you most value in your friends?
When I am not able to find time to keep the friendship, they do it. That is commendable.
Who are your favourite writers?
Diane O Reilly
Who is your hero of fiction?
Bahubali
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
John F Kennedy
Who are your heroes in real life?
My wife
What are your favourite names?
Akanksha and Avishka, my daughters’ names
What is it that you most dislike?
Arrogance
What is your greatest regret?
I wasted ten years in corporate life.
How would you like to die?
Painlessly.
What is your motto?
Right now, my motto is -- Never own furniture!