Building Resilience and Overcoming Failure: My Journey to Success
Hello everyone,
I hope this blog gives you the essence of struggle and ways to overcome it. I, being the founder and Managing Director of the Global Institute of Business Studies (GIBS) Business School, stand before you to share my story – a tale of discipline, struggle, conviction, and ultimately, triumph.
My journey began in the year 1985, in a small town called Bhadra in Rajasthan. Born into a humble family, my father understood the value of education and prioritized it for his children, despite the financial challenges we faced. But it wasn’t just financial hurdles that I had to overcome; society had labeled us as the “Three Idiots,” casting doubts on our capabilities. Nevertheless, I knew that labels are meant for products, not humans, and I was determined to prove them wrong.
As I embarked on my higher education journey, my family came together to support my aspirations. My father borrowed money for my fees, and my younger brother, Ravi, toiled tirelessly in Manali, working 15 to 16 hours a day, just to fund my pocket money. However, there was a significant obstacle I had to face – learning to speak English fluently. In those days, people believed that English was a prerequisite for success, and I felt overwhelmed by it. Graduating from a Hindi medium school to joining a renowned institute in New Delhi, I struggled with English, which seemed like a foreign language to me.
But I made a promise to myself and my brother that I would never fail again. I decided to work hard and make it big. I drew inspiration from my younger brother, Pradeep, who despite having polio, was the most courageous person I knew. His determination was a beacon of light for me. With my brother’s unwavering support, I conquered my fear of English and later became a multilingual motivational speaker.
My journey took me to Bengaluru, where I started my career with a modest salary of 9,500 rupees per month. This was just the beginning of a path that would lead me to build multi-crore institutions and companies.
Together with my brother Ravi, I set out to transform the lives of aspiring youngsters by starting Pathfinder, which quickly grew into a 125-employee company. However, we dreamt of something more significant – a revolutionary B-School. Thus, the Global Institute of Business Studies (GIBS) was born.
The road to establishing GIBS was not without its challenges. Having grown up facing struggles, we were prepared to take on whatever came our way. We set up GIBS in Begur, with a vision to provide innovative and globally accepted programs in a congenial atmosphere. We wanted to create leaders imbued with a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship.
The journey was not without its share of downturns, and the pandemic posed a significant threat to our institution’s survival. Yet, we never lost hope and believed in “finding” more than “funding.” We overcame our weaknesses by accepting them and continued to grow. Today, GIBS is recognized as one of India’s top business schools, producing highly talented individuals sought after by top corporates.
Throughout my journey, I’ve donned many hats – a motivational speaker, a business coach, and an author. I’ve delivered over 500 speeches for corporate employees, leaders, students, and entrepreneurs. I feel honored to be part of the Leadership and GMP program at IIM Bangalore.
My ventures, including Goyal Educational Trust, Global Business Forum, GIBS Social Foundation Trust, GIBS Digital IRE School, GIBS Digital Finishing School, Pathfinder Value Creations Pvt. Ltd., and of course, GIBS Business School, reflect my passion for empowering others and giving back to the community.
I have been fortunate to receive several awards and accolades for my contributions, including the Business Icon Award 2022 by Outlook Business Spotlight and the ASMA Academic Excellence Award 2022. These recognitions remind me that success is not just about personal achievements but also about making a positive impact on others.
My journey has taught me invaluable life lessons. I’ve learned the importance of resilience, consistency, and a never-give-up attitude. I’ve come to understand that success speaks a universal language understood by all who work hard and dream big. Each challenge I faced was an opportunity for growth, and I embraced the discomfort of the unknown to learn and achieve more.
Building resilience and overcoming failure is not an easy task, but it is essential for personal growth and success. Embrace your struggles as stepping stones towards greatness. Let passion be your driving force, and always remain curious to learn and grow. Remember, success is not just measured by material gains but by the positive impact you create in the lives of others.
As I look ahead, my vision for GIBS includes building an international university and continuing to empower students to become future leaders who contribute to the sustained development and inclusive growth of our nation and the world.
I hope my story serves as an inspiration to all aspiring individuals out there. Remember, your background does not define your potential; it is your determination, resilience, and dedication that pave the way to success. So, dream big, work hard, and never lose sight of your goals.
Thank you for joining me on this journey of resilience and triumph. Together, let’s build a better tomorrow.