Entrepreneurship: Vision Beyond Hustle
Entrepreneurship is more than just starting a business—it is about embracing challenges, creating impact, and shaping a vision that goes beyond personal success. On this World Entrepreneur’s Day, I want to share my journey—not a tale of glamour, but of resilience, survival, and unwavering belief in a dream.
For 16 years, I lived a fulfilling
corporate life—working across industries, traveling the world, and gaining
invaluable exposure. My career gave me stability, respect, and financial
security. Yet, deep inside, entrepreneurship was always calling me. Even while
working in the corporate world, I found myself experimenting with ideas,
freelancing on the side, and constantly thinking of ways to create something
bigger than myself. After nearly 17 golden years in corporate life, I chose to
leave behind that comfort and step into the unknown. That day, my true
entrepreneurial journey began.
But let me speak from the heart—entrepreneurship is not glamorous. It
is a deeply lonely journey. The people closest to you—your family—are often the
first to question your decisions. Friends who once stood by you slowly drift
away. And society? It begins to doubt you, almost waiting for you to fail. In
India, a corporate job earns you respect and admiration. But the moment you
say, “I am starting my own business,”
that respect disappears. Suddenly, you are no longer seen as stable or
successful—you are seen as a risk.
The comfort of a monthly salary is like a
drug—it comes on time, every month, and you get addicted to its security. But
the day you step into entrepreneurship, that security vanishes. There is no
fixed income, no safety net—only uncertainty, sleepless nights, and endless
challenges. I have faced loneliness, financial stress, family pressure, and
even legal battles that drained me emotionally. Employees I trusted left
without a second thought. Some even went online to defame the company I built
with my blood and sweat. Competitors pushed hard to pull us down. And then came
COVID-19, multiplying every problem overnight. Those were the darkest days of
my life.
During the pandemic, the government
announced thousands of schemes, but very few reached entrepreneurs.
Service-based businesses like ours received no relief. We had to fight alone.
Yet, against all odds, we survived. Today, Rosemary Interactive continues to
grow—not only in India but also across international markets. Some of our
global clients trust us deeply, and their testimonials remind me why this
journey is worth it. But survival came at a heavy price—broken relationships,
lost friendships, and a constant battle with stress and uncertainty.
In India, entrepreneurship often feels
like belonging to a lower caste. Unless you build a 100-crore company, society
doesn’t accept you. Until then, you are doubted, ridiculed, and ignored. People
are quick to question your character, your ability, and your vision. Yet, no
one talks about the thousands of entrepreneurs who fail, who give up, or who
lose everything. Their stories remain untold.
The reality is harsh. 90% of startups worldwide fail; in India,
80–90% shut down within five years. In 2020, more businessmen died by
suicide (11,716) than farmers (10,677). Studies show that entrepreneurs are
twice as likely to have suicidal thoughts due to isolation and stress. Around
30% report depression, 29% ADHD, and 27% anxiety—figures far higher than
national averages. And while India proudly calls itself the third-largest
startup ecosystem in the world, most of its promises to entrepreneurs remain on
paper. During COVID, schemes looked good in headlines, but service-based
businesses like ours got nothing. On top of that, the crushing 18% GST makes survival even harder,
suffocating early-stage startups already struggling with cash flow.
That is why I say openly—do not choose entrepreneurship unless you
are ready. Ready for high stress, rejection, financial instability, legal
battles, depression, and anxiety. Without stamina, survival is impossible.
And yet, despite everything, I continue.
Why? Because impact matters more than income. Rosemary Interactive has
supported brands, created jobs, and transformed lives. Vision keeps me moving
forward. One day, I will take my company public. Until then, the testimonials
of clients and the careers we have built fuel my resilience.
From a humble beginning in 2016, today I
manage multiple ventures. I may not yet be a 100-crore entrepreneur, but I am
confident that one day I will be. My dream is to list my company on the stock
market and to build one of the most respected firms in the marketing and
communication domain. But beyond valuations, my true purpose is to create
impact—to help brands grow, to empower individuals, and to transform Indian
lives.
On this World Entrepreneur’s Day, I want
to say to every aspiring entrepreneur—the road is not easy. It is lonely,
stressful, and full of sacrifices. Family may not support you, friends may
leave you, and society may doubt you. But if you survive those early years and
persist through the storms, your vision can change lives.
I am living proof of that. My journey
from corporate comfort to entrepreneurship has been full of struggles and
sacrifices, but it has also been deeply rewarding. Entrepreneurship is not just
about building businesses—it is about building futures, breaking barriers, and
inspiring others to dream big.
Happy World Entrepreneur’s Day!
Rosemary Interactive | Rosemary Consulting | Rosemary eAcademy |Shopperpreneur
www.prakasharya.in
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