The Go-Getters

Young,daring and ready to take on risks,youngsters in the city who are barely out of their teens are indeed setting a trend. Armed with a go-getter spirit and entrepreneurial skills,they are busy creating a niche for themselves in the world of business even at a time when recession is a much dreaded word. Among them is 24-year-old Sahil Shandilya who runs his own event management company,‘All Rise’. “When I was working with Big FM as the Activation Head,various event management companies would come to me to sell their ideas. I realised I had better ideas of my own and decided to start my firm,” shares Sahil. He’s previously managed events for Panjab University and brands such as Nokia,Big Bazaar and NDTV Imagine to mention a few. While Sahil has had no formal qualifications in the field to boast of,he admits to have gained truckloads of “practical knowledge”. “Everyone told me not to risk starting my own company,but I believe if you think you can,you can!” you hear him say out loud. What’s more,he’s invested his own funds (thankfully,he admits he’s not a spendthrift) and worked around the clock. And it’s all paid off well. Set to buy his own SUV,Sahil is also planning to expand the business to Delhi. “Though I still aim to work on my own album,” dreams the singer who wants to make it big in Bollywood!

Elsewhere,26-year-old Kismet Nakai and 24-year-old April Bhaika have rolled out their own apparel and accessories company where they conduct garden sales under the name ‘Firozi Fish’. The idea came to them last May when they were casually discussing selling clothes in the city and improving its fashion sense! “Our first sale was an instant hit and that proved to us that we were on the right track,” admits Nakai. The girls invested their own finances with a small contribution from April’s father. With the money in hand,they began sourcing their range from Delhi,Rajasthan and various manufacturing units. Nearly everything they sell is under Rs 500 and they’re sold out each time. “We want to open a permanent space now and ever since people have been asking us to send our goods overseas,we’ve been thinking of going online!” the two spell out their future plans.

While the girls have introduced their taken on fashion,23-year-old Aditya Verma has arrived with his new store ‘Just Brands’ which houses high-end brands such as Ed Hardy,Armani,Gucci,Chloe and Burberry at less than half the price. “I knew I was going to open my own business at some point in life and thought the sooner I got started,the better!” Verma smiles to say. While Aditya’s father has given him an initial financial backing,he’s already learning to stand on his feet. “I plan on opening as many as 10 more stores in Chandigarh,Panchkula,Mohali and Punjab,” informs Aditya who is also looking to start a restaurant in Sector 10 and an ice cream parlour!

But before you think ‘working’ only means having an office,a staff on the rolls and bills to clear,then 22-year-old Sangram Sandhu who is into real estate proves otherwise. His story is one of chance. Even after completing his BSc in Biotechnology and a course in Mass Communication,Sangram had nothing to do! Until one day someone wanted to buy a plot and Sangram and his friends helped him procure one. Before he knew it,Sangram was helping in negotiations for buying and selling land and now he’s a full-fledged real estate agent! “We took no help from our parents. Through word of mouth our reputation spread and soon we were making money!” shares Sandhu. Though he’s bought himself his own car,the 22-year-old isn’t looking at a career in the same. “I have a dream of starting my own dairy farm,” he surprises you. Told you,they are go-getters all the way!