Rajesh Dhuddu Global Head, Emerging Technologies at Tech Mahindra In the ever-evolving realm of emerging technologies, few luminaries stand as resolute trailblazers, steering the course of transformation with visionary foresight and unwavering dedication. Among them, Rajesh Dhuddu emerges as a prominent figure whose journey through the landscape of blockchain, Web 3.0, the metaverse, and other nascent innovations unveils a narrative of ingenuity and impact. With a remarkable career spanning pioneering ventures, ground-breaking initiatives, and influential leadership, Dhuddu’s evolution into a prominent thought leader bears testimony to his commitment to harnessing technology for tangible change. From his formative steps incubating a payment processing venture in India to propelling Tech Mahindra into the echelons of global blockchain leadership, Rajesh Dhuddu’s trajectory is an inspiring tale that unveils the power of innovation to shape industries and reshape the future. Pioneering Blockchain Awareness: Setting the Stage for Transformation Rajesh Dhuddu’s journey in the world of emerging technologies began with a profound understanding of the potential of blockchain, Web 3.0, and the metaverse. Prior to joining Tech Mahindra in 2018, he incubated a payment processing company that became a member of leading fintech companies such as Mastercard, Visa, and NPCI. This marked the first step in his exploration of the disruptive power of blockchain technology, which led him to become a vocal advocate for its application and potential transformation across industries. Tech Mahindra’s Transformational Initiatives Under Rajesh Dhuddu’s leadership, Tech Mahindra embarked on a remarkable journey to establish itself as a global leader in blockchain technology. Key initiatives, such as the TRAI-UCC implementation, showcased the company’s ability to bring tangible value to both enterprises and consumers. Tech Mahindra’s numerous industry awards, recognition by Forbes and the Linux Foundation, and its status as a Hyperledger Certified Service Provider highlight the company’s remarkable growth and innovation in the blockchain space. A driving force behind Tech Mahindra’s success lies in its deep-rooted commitment to innovation and expertise in emerging technologies. From pioneering blockchain implementations to shaping the metaverse experience, the company has consistently embraced the forefront of technological advancement, making it a sought-after partner for organisations seeking to unlock new avenues of growth and efficiency. Transforming Telecommunications Rajesh Dhuddu’s commitment to using technology for real-world problem-solving was epitomised in the initiative to tackle spam calls in India. Working alongside TRAI, Tech Mahindra’s blockchain solution revolutionised the way unsolicited commercial communications were handled. This pioneering effort demonstrated the practical impact of blockchain beyond financial sectors, creating a blueprint for leveraging the technology to benefit common consumers. Recognising the need for broader blockchain adoption in India, Rajesh Dhuddu established the country’s first Blockchain Special Interest Group (SIG) at Nasscom. Through this initiative, he championed knowledge-sharing, advocacy, and collaboration, fostering an environment where entrepreneurs and students could engage with and harness the power of blockchain technology. Unveiling Future Initiatives: Continuously Innovating with Emerging Tech As an exemplar of innovation, Rajesh Dhuddu and Tech Mahindra continue to push the envelope in emerging technologies. With projects spanning across blockchain, NFTs, and the Metaverse, they are shaping transformative experiences for clients. From supply chain management to virtual property buying, these initiatives highlight the practical and transformative potential of cutting-edge technologies. With a rich history spanning over three decades, Tech Mahindra has consistently demonstrated its prowess in harnessing the power of emerging technologies to create meaningful and transformative solutions for businesses worldwide. Tech Mahindra’s unwavering dedication to quality, innovation, and customer-centricity has earned it a slew of accolades and recognitions, solidifying its position as a powerhouse in the digital transformation arena. As the company continues to pave the way for the future, Tech Mahindra remains a frontrunner of innovation, driving positive change, and propelling industries into the next era of technological possibilities. Looking to the future, Rajesh Dhuddu sees the Metaverse as a transformative force across industries. He envisions a dynamic landscape where immersive experiences redefine commerce, education, and engagement. With his focus on emerging technologies, he anticipates a tech-savvy younger generation driving adoption trends and continuous market growth. A Visionary Thought Leader What sets Rajesh Dhuddu apart as a thought leader in the blockchain space is his emphasis on practical application over technological novelty. He advocates for solving complex business problems through collaboration, industry engagement, and regulatory frameworks. His active involvement in institutions including Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad and the World Economic Forum Expert Network showcases his commitment to shaping the future of emerging technologies, including blockchain and cybersecurity. Rajesh Dhuddu’s commitment to mentorship extends beyond professional achievements. He emphasises the value of continuous learning, unlearning, and embracing fresh perspectives. His dedication to physical fitness and holistic wellness underscores his belief in the symbiotic relationship between physical and mental well-being, contributing to sustained professional success. Overcoming Challenges: Driving Emerging Tech Adoption Rajesh Dhuddu’s journey has not been without challenges. The battle for acceptance of emerging technologies within legacy systems required a consultative approach. His emphasis on value and seamless integration has been a driving force in overcoming resistance to change, leading to successful implementations across diverse industries. Inspiring Aspiring Leaders: Rajesh Dhuddu’s Wisdom for the Future Rajesh Dhuddu’s journey offers inspiration for aspiring leaders seeking to navigate the intricate landscape of emerging technologies. His unwavering commitment to continuous learning, coupled with his embodiment of humility and dedication, serves as a guiding philosophy that propels individuals towards success in this ever-evolving domain. His mantra of hard work underscores the foundational tenet of success – that sustained effort and perseverance are essential. Dhuddu’s journey demonstrates that the road to innovation is marked by dedication, grit, and the willingness to overcome obstacles. In a field often characterised by technological bravado, he emphasises the value of approaching challenges with a receptive mindset. By acknowledging that no individual has all the answers, and that collaboration is key, he fosters an environment conducive to innovation and growth. This humility also enables him to learn from failures and setbacks, transforming them into steppingstones towards greater achievements.

Brian Parenteau A Proven Leader Building Marvels In The Hospitality Industry Brian Parenteau is a remarkable serial entrepreneur who has maintained continued success in the restaurant industry. Offering a myriad of options consisting of cuisine and nightlife, Brian has been the talk of the town in Ft Lauderdale. This narrative comprises tangible evidence of his incredible entrepreneurial competence and remarkable leadership skills that allowed him to climb the ladder of corporate success. An Overview Of His Business Trail  Brian first entered the hospitality industry 20 years ago as a bar back in a South Beach nightclub. He quickly found himself being promoted to a bartender position, which unexpectedly ignited a hidden passion within him. Gradually, he etched a noteworthy presence for himself in the industry with sheer hard work and ceaseless determination. His phenomenal voyage began in the vibrant city of Miami. However, the hectic hours of Miami’s nightlife took a toll, leading Brian to seek a “real job” in a white-collar environment. Yet, after several years as a mortgage broker, he realized that the desk-bound corporate life wasn’t fulfilling his true calling. Longing for the excitement, energy, and relationships that he had formed during his bartending years, Brian made a bold decision and decided to leave corporate America.  Eager to reenter the industry, he ventured into opening a Banquet Hall, offering freelance bartending and party planning services for special events. This experience reignited his love for the hospitality field, but he still felt a void in the freelance environment, yearning for a deeper sense of purpose.  Brian’s quest eventually led him to his first long-term bartending position at Big City Tavern on Las Olas in Ft Lauderdale. There, he immersed himself for over nine years, rediscovering his passion for everything the hospitality industry encompassed—people, enjoyment, and financial opportunities. During his time at Big City Tavern, the leader had the privilege of connecting with highly influential individuals who would become lifelong friends and future business partners where he met his current business partner Douglas Herbst. He considers that as his transformative period allowing him to refine the skills he initially acquired in Miami.  However, it was when Brian made the move to Grille 401 as the beverage manager, just a block away from Big City Tavern, that he truly mastered his craft. He was overwhelmed by the location, ambience, crowd, and support and scaled the ladder to success until he opened the doors of Drynk a few years later. Brian claims that he is always grateful for his extensive tenure on the renowned Las Olas strip, as it taught him the intricate inner workings of the industry—what makes a bar successful, what pitfalls to avoid, and how to build a cohesive team that can withstand any challenge. Navigating various waves of challenges, Brian gained valuable experience that he believes would serve him well in the future. He learned the importance of meticulous planning, having a contingency fund, and being prepared for the unexpected. The challenges he faced provided him with a solid foundation of knowledge and skills, enabling him to tackle future ventures with greater confidence. Also, his adaptability to the market requirement allowed him to offer the most relevant services to the patrons in this competitive market.   Exemplary Business Acumen  As the founder and owner of DrYnk Bar and Lounge, Tulio’s Tacos and Tequila Bar, and Patio Bar & Pizza, Brian serves up some of the most unique atmospheres and menus to please every mood and palate. From an intimate speakeasy-style bar with a standalone backyard to an upscale twist on classic Mexican fare, and some of Ft Lauderdale’s most beloved pizza. With 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry at every level, Brian founded his startup in 2017. Since then, his repute has been spread across the industry bringing him global applause/awards from several media houses and publications.    His business acumen and leadership are a testament to his extensive set of entrepreneurial capabilities to build and grow successful businesses. All of his accomplishments speak volumes of his track record, making him a sought-after and accomplished entrepreneur. The golden feathers in his cap not only justify his capabilities but also offer an enticing opportunity for potential investors who are searching for a proven leader. He is adamant that with a collaborative approach, he could capitalize on tremendous opportunities for growth and resounding success.  In his spectacular entrepreneurial journey, Brian came across various roadblocks that taught him crucial business lessons. After all, who said, this trajectory is a bed of roses to walk upon? For instance, his journey of opening a new bar on a renowned strip in South Florida was not without its challenges. Beyond the expected capital investments and monetary issues, he encountered numerous obstacles including the Covid shutdown that tested his resilience and determination. However, Brian and his partners faced these challenges head-on, ultimately overcoming them and emerging stronger every time.  DrYnk  As his very first brainchild, Brian has a close connection to DrYnk which he spearheads with a hands-on approach, attention to detail, and passion. Located in the vibrant center of Wilton Manors, DrYnk Bar & Lounge offers a truly stellar experience with its expertly crafted cocktails, cozy lounge atmosphere, and welcoming staff. One can step into the backyard and find oneself transported to a serene garden oasis, enveloped by a relaxed ambience that invites one to unwind. At the time of sunset, the guests can indulge themselves in its continuously evolving selection of libations, ensuring that each visit is an indelible and delightful experience. People have testified to being captivated by the energy that airs within the establishment and offered it high ratings on various platforms.  Patio Bar & Pizza  Working in the hospitality sector for over two decades, Brian developed a deep-rooted desire to offer unforgettable food experiences to his guests. Therefore, he established the ultimate pizza experience at Patio Bar & Pizza, where each pizza is carefully handcrafted and baked in an Italian brick oven, which includes mouthwatering vegan and

Steve Taplin A Visionary Tech Leader and CEO of Sonatafy Technology Introduction Embark on a journey through the dynamic world of technology, and you will inevitably encounter the remarkable and inspiring story of Steve Taplin. As a seasoned veteran in the industry, a Forbes & Entrepreneur Magazine Featured Author, and the CEO of Sonatafy Technology, Steve has left an indelible mark on the landscape of Nearshore Software Development. Sonatafy Technology has revolutionized the traditional software development outsourcing model, providing US businesses with seamless access to top-tier software engineering talent from Latin America. Under Steve’s visionary leadership, Sonatafy has become synonymous with excellence, offering highly skilled, English-proficient software engineers who collaborate in the same time zone and possess an intimate understanding of the cultural nuances critical to success in the US market. With a remarkable career spanning entrepreneurial ventures, private equity and influential executive roles in Fortune 500 companies, Steve Taplin has not only solidified his position as a tech-industry luminary but has also emerged as an entrepreneurial force, propelling Sonatafy Technology to the forefront of the technology outsourcing industry. The Foundations of Success Steve Taplin’s journey into the technology realm began with an illustrious role at IBM, where he swiftly rose through the ranks as a Sales Executive. Renowned for his exceptional sales skills and deep technical expertise, Steve played the leading role in driving sales and securing complex digital transformation deals totaling over $230 million in contract value. He consistently surpassed quotas and goals, earning accolades and recognition within the organization. However, Steve’s thirst for knowledge and entrepreneurial aspirations knew no bounds. Will at IBM, Steve completed his MBA degree in Entrepreneurship and became a published author in the book, Entrepreneurship – The Way Ahead. In an exclusive interview, Steve shared, “My time at IBM taught me the importance of staying ahead of the curve and embracing challenges head-on. The decision to pursue an MBA in Entrepreneurship was fueled by a desire to empower myself with the tools necessary to shape the future of the business landscape.” From Corporate Success to Entrepreneurship Fueled by an insatiable appetite for growth and innovation, Steve exited the corporate world and founded a niche private equity firm that would serve as the bedrock for his entrepreneurial endeavors. Over the course of 13 years, Steve deftly built a diverse portfolio of technology-enabled companies across industries such as Real Estate Investment, Lending, Telehealth, Securities Industry, and Digital Marketing. To increase exposure for these companies, Steve became a featured public speaker on entrepreneurship and investment strategies and hosted several radio shows on these topics. Under Steve’s guidance, the company experienced an exceptional growth trajectory, raising and skillfully managing a staggering $400M+ in assets while expanding its global footprint with a workforce of over two thousand talented individuals spanning across international territories. This period in Steve’s career not only honed his skills in P&L management, Technology Optimization, Strategic Development, Franchising, Pre-IPO Leadership, Global Expansion, and Digital Marketing & Lead Generation but also marked his emergence as a visionary entrepreneur.   A Unique Perspective on Success While Steve Taplin’s entrepreneurial ventures soared to new heights, he remained keenly aware of the ever-evolving tech landscape. His journey took an exciting turn when he was enticed to return to IBM in 2016, this time as the Vice President – Strategic Outsourcing. Steve identified, cultivated, and oversaw large-scale, long-term outsourcing engagements in this influential role, driving explosive growth and profitability for IBM’s Global Services business. After closing over $480 million of strategic outsourcing deals for IBM, he was recruited to DXC Technology to serve as the VP of Strategic Pursuits, further broadening his perspective on successful business practices. The Birth of Sonatafy Technology In 2020, fueled by a passion for digital transformation and an acute understanding of the industry’s needs, Steve Taplin founded Sonatafy Technology. The company’s inception marked a strategic response to the growing demand for labor arbitrage with English-speaking software engineering resources in the same time zone. Leveraging his extensive background in Fortune 500 companies and entrepreneurial ventures, Steve crafted a well-versed vision for Sonatafy, emphasizing efficiency, quality, and client satisfaction. To accelerate the company’s growth, he completed a strategic acquisition of an existing firm headquartered in Mexico to help lay the foundation for growth. A Culture of Growth and Excellence As CEO, Steve Taplin attributes his success to a set of core values that have shaped his leadership style and company culture. Clear vision, strategic thinking, resilience, effective communication, and emotional intelligence are the cornerstones of his approach. Sonatafy’s internal culture thrives on continuous growth and learning, ethical conduct, collaboration, and well-being, with Steve championing the idea that the company’s strength lies in the people who work alongside him.   The Value of Sonatafy Technology in Changing Times The COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated the adoption of remote work and remote teams. Businesses increasingly turned to outsourcing and contract workers for software development. However, traditional offshore outsourcing presented challenges such as language barriers, limited real-time collaboration due to time zone differences, miscommunication, and missed deadlines. Recognizing the changing dynamics of the industry, Steve and his team strategically developed Sonatafy’s model to combat these challenges head-on.   Unveiling Sonatafy Technology’s Offering Sonatafy Technology has emerged as a well-established and diversified company, preferred by clients for best-in-class Nearshore software development services. With specialization in building custom software solutions for SaaS, healthcare, life sciences, and financial industries, Sonatafy strongly emphasizes software compliance, scalability, IP security, and long-term relationship development. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona with resources spread across Latin America, Sonatafy has the unique ability to build a powerful team of engineers that offers “same time zone” support for software development, testing, support, and maintenance for critical-path web and mobile applications.   Revolutionizing the Software Engineer Recruitment Process with Nexxus SaaS Platform Innovation and operational excellence have been the cornerstones of Steve Taplin’s ventures, and his latest project, the Nexxus SaaS platform, stands as a testament to his unwavering commitment to increasing operational efficiencies through custom software solutions. For years, businesses have

Prithvi Shergill- Founder, Advisor, Investor, Researcher, Ideapreneur Kindly brief us about the outset story of your career since the beginning. My professional journey began when I realised that value gets created by combining purpose, people, and proficiency. Experiencing this in local and national leadership positions and international training with student associations such as AIESEC led me to join AT&T in 1990, where I worked in several HR roles across the USA, Philippines, India, and then Singapore which helped me to understand how important it is for HR to be aligned with business objectives and ensure people practices create happiness. My mandate from 2002 was to transform HR service delivery, using technology and shared service models to impact organisational effectiveness and enable effective integration with joint venture companies. In 2004, I joined Accenture, progressing to be a Partner, working closely with internal stakeholders to shape strategy and ensure execution, enhancing the maturity of policies, processes, practices, and platforms impacting leadership, talent, and culture. These served as the foundation of the growth engines for its businesses across technology, consulting, and operations. My assignments in Accenture led me to work on the human capital strategy to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of business operations, value creation, and people development in various contexts, cultures, and countries. Then I was appointed as Chief Human Resources Officer at HCL Technologies in 2012, where I played a pivotal role in the reset of the talent strategy to re-energise the culture founded on the strategic intent of putting “Employees First, Customers Second”, seeding, nurturing and harvesting Ideapreneurship to multiply profitability and innovation. My experience at HCL Technologies helped shape my experience and expertise on the need for systemic operating models and solutions, combining technology and talent.   These experiences at different companies across countries have helped me to develop a distinctive perspective on the opportunities HR and leaders have in engaging, enabling, and empowering people to build their proficiency and performance. After transitioning to be an entrepreneur, I established Tomorrow with colleagues who had shared beliefs in the opportunity to refresh people management by stewarding digital transformation initiatives with an outcome orientation. Tomorrow merged with entomo, where their expertise and experience were codified into a people experience platform that enterprises of tomorrow use to transform performance, talent, and learning. What inspired you to become a business consultant? I have always remained committed to investing in creating capacity, enhancing ability, capturing creativity, and driving change leading to growth. My career as a business consultant allows me to engage with multiple communities across cultures and countries to help companies and people become the best versions of themselves. My intentions, promises, and actions are rooted in the belief that professional consultants should act as trusted advisors to their clients, demonstrating ownership to understand context and shape customized solutions that translate strategy to action. I believe that success requires a deep understanding of the drivers of the client’s business and culture and relationships that truly go beyond the contract. As a successful leader, which three personal qualities do you believe contributed most to your success? I emphasize that the commitment to demonstrate Empathy, apply Adaptability, and build Relationships are three of the most crucial personal qualities that have contributed to my success. By developing Empathy, a leader can connect with stakeholders on a deeper level, understand their pain points, and create a work model that delivers desired results in a culture that is fostered by inclusivity, respect, and collaboration. In today’s fast-paced business environment, change is constant, and leaders must be able to role model Adaptability in changing circumstances, by remaining resilient, agile, and forward-thinking, thereby responding proactively to be future-ready. Finally, I see building transparent Relationships with employees, customers, and stakeholders as essential in inspiring trust, which is the fuel to have people commit to applying their abilities authentically. How do you keep yourself up to date with the latest technology, trends, research, etc. to give up-to-date service to clients? I believe in staying updated with the latest technology, trends, and research, and I achieve this by being curious about things that I do not know, have exposure to, or have experience with. To reach the right decisions, I demand it be evidence-based – and seek data that can be translated into information and insight which inspires the right action. I can often be seen seeking out time with people one-on-one to learn from them, attending industry conferences to learn from audiences I engage with, seeking response and reaction to ideas on online forums, – and seeing “networking” as building a mutually beneficial association. What were some of your biggest technology challenges? I tell that one of the biggest challenges for professionals, including myself, remains co-creating enterprise-wide people enablement technology solutions whose value can be seen in their awareness, adoption, and assimilation to truly augment practices, processes, and policies.   The need to appreciate context on what needs to be continued, started, or stopped, given organisational dynamics, often fuelled by cultural differences, language barriers, and different regulatory requirements, is essential. While many technology products profess to be the best in class, the ability to navigate away from the “one-size-fit-all” solution as often is not fit for purpose, to what will make design and deployment distinctive is a collective and individual skill. What have been the toughest obstacles you faced in your career and how did you overcome them? I believe that measuring and managing change is one of the toughest obstacles professionals continue to be faced with. I say that while change is uncomfortable, leaders need to be able to do more than communicate, train people and address employees’ concerns about the change. Investing time and effort to explain the context and build the capability to reset, reimagine and reinvent policies, processes, practices, and platforms is what leads to accelerating from today and changing to be ready for tomorrow. Mention some of the notable recognitions and accreditations received by your organization and person. I have been humbled to have represented

Shirley Billigmeier, Owner of Innergetics Welcome to the world of Innergetics, a transformative process created by Shirley Billigmeier, the visionary owner of Innergetics. This revolutionary approach enables individuals to rediscover the pleasure of eating and movement while embracing a body they truly love. Innergetics provides a pathway to uncovering and re-establishing one’s own eating boundaries – the innate wisdom of hunger and taste that we all possess. Infants are born with this natural ability, and Shirley’s mission is to guide clients back to reconnecting with these forgotten boundaries. Staying True to Purpose Shirley Billigmeier embarked on her career journey with a deep-rooted passion for helping others. As a former teacher in Health and Physical Education, she witnessed the detrimental effects of food obsession and body image struggles on her students. Determined to recapture the forgotten joy of eating and living in a body one loves, Shirley created Innergetics. Her mission is to guide individuals toward rediscovering their innate eating boundaries, allowing them to embrace food as a source of energy for a fulfilling life. With a wealth of tools and unwavering integrity, Shirley’s personal qualities of insight, persistence, and knowledge have been pivotal to her success as a leader. Guided by her ideals, Shirley strives to resolve all eating and weight issues, freeing individuals to channel their energy into their creative talents. Breaking free from traditional methods, Innergetics now offers an online course, allowing individuals to learn the fundamentals with personal guidance from a certified coach. Shirley’s dedication to reaching a broader audience led her to collaborate with Course Creek professionals, who guided her through the process of launching her course online. She understands the importance of showcasing success stories and providing real-life examples, which is why she connects individuals with those who have restored their eating patterns using the Innergetics process. This online course is supplemented with personalized coaching, providing comprehensive support to those seeking a transformative journey. Despite the challenges of bringing her intuitive approach to a wider audience, Shirley recognized the need for certified coaches who could share her methodology. Now, with four coaches from around the world, including Jan Niemand, Sue Lester, Stella Litton, and Jessie Rose, Innergetics is expanding its reach and impact. Feathers in the Cap Shirley’s remarkable contributions have earned her numerous recognitions and accolades. She is a distinguished alumnus of the University of Minnesota, and her book “Inner Eating” gained acclaim with a foreword written by Dr. Michael Jensen of the Mayo Clinic. As a sought-after guest speaker, Shirley has shared her expertise at national conventions. Luxe Magazine has honored her with the Best Food Relationship award in 2021 and 2022 while being named among The Top 100 Innovators and Entrepreneurs for 2023. However, the ultimate satisfaction for Shirley lies in witnessing the joy that emerges in individuals who find harmony with their eating habits and embrace life in a body they love. Striving to Bring Change As a true teacher and consultant, Shirley knows the value of focusing on one’s strengths and seeking help in areas where expertise is lacking. She acknowledges that marketing and technical aspects are not her forte, and that’s where her team of experts comes in, ensuring her material reaches the world effectively. By delegating these tasks to professionals, Shirley can focus on what she does best – helping individuals transform their relationship with food and their bodies. Shirley firmly believes that the Innergetics process is the ultimate solution to all eating and weight issues. It tackles the root cause by guiding individuals to reconnect with their internal eating boundaries. Through Innergetics, she is revolutionizing the way individuals perceive food and their bodies, allowing them to reclaim the joy of eating and living. A Wide Perspective on the Future With a personal mantra of nurturing and developing creative gifts, Shirley’s future endeavors center around expanding her reach to help as many people as possible. By teaching others to share her transformative process, she aims to guide individuals in resurfacing their own eating boundaries. As an inspiring leader, Shirley advises aspiring leaders to believe in themselves and view failures as stepping stones toward their vision. She emphasizes the importance of embracing learning opportunities and constantly seeking ways to improve and evolve.

Manju Mastakar   Leadership is lifting a person’s vision to high sights, raising a person’s performance to a higher standard, and building a personality beyond its normal limitations. Ms. Manju Mastakar is an accomplished finance maven passionate about building investment plans and driving financial independence.   1.    Kindly brief us about the outset story of your career. Over the course of my 22 years in the industry, I have acquired extensive knowledge, demonstrated diligent client commitment, and received several awards and recognitions. Let me provide a little background on my success story. I developed the tenacity and depth of financial knowledge that are still my greatest assets today while working as an intern for a CA in Dalal Street in early 2000. My ascent up the corporate ladder from Assistant Accountant, Dealer, Account Manager, and Portfolio Manager to Regional Manager was a remarkable journey based on learning. My career in Mumbai, the financial capital of India, was abruptly curbed when I had to move to Bangalore, the IT capital of India in 2007. The tipping point to explore entrepreneurship for me was job loss in the crisis of 2008. Possessing good multitasking skills with extensive financial subject experience, I decided to strike out on my own with freelancing. Luckily for me, I came across an angel investor who funded my initiative, allowing me to take the entrepreneurial venture to a professional and larger scale. In 2010, I founded Bangalore-based Armstrong Capital & Financial Services Pvt. Ltd., an investment solution firm that offers a complete spectrum of wealth management services to its clients, was founded in 2010 and currently serves more than 1000 satisfied clients. The flagship product offered by the company is a Goal-based financial plan. At Armstrong Capital, every relationship starts with a Financial Plan to understand all the investments done in the past, and bucket that into life goals. The firm offers a systematic approach to financial planning so that all financial goals can be identified and achieved. Each client is serviced by Personal Investment Adviser along with a Service Manager backed by in-house research and technology platform. Armstrong Capital’s bespoke services are reinforced by excellent execution, a robust investment policy framework, and a rigorous due diligence process with a strong emphasis on picking future winners. 2.    As a successful leader, which three personal qualities do you believe contributed most to your success? As a successful leader, I believe that three personal qualities that have contributed most to my success are circumstances, perseverance, and determination. However, circumstances play the most important role, as they need to be unfavourable for the other two qualities to come to the fore. In my case, the situation and circumstances were unfavourable due to the subprime crisis, which resulted in me losing my job. Moreover, the global financial crisis had adversely affected the wealth management industry, leaving no scope for job opportunities. Consequently, I was compelled to start my own venture. Initially, I worked alone from my home office, and it required a lot of perseverance to keep going. As time passed, I made more investments in the business, and that is when determination came into play to fight adversities. 3.    What is your definition of success? In my opinion, success is not just an individual achievement, but rather a team effort. When each employee performs well, the organization as a whole thrives and reaps rewards in terms of financial gains and industry recognition. It’s important to understand that success is not a destination, but rather an ongoing journey with its ups and downs. However, the most successful individuals are those with an unquenchable thirst for success and an unwavering drive to achieve their goals. 4. What has been the toughest decision you took? I started my career in the stock markets and when I moved to Bangalore, I continued to offer services in that domain, advising clients on buying stocks and building derivative positions. However, after a few years, I realized that there was not much risk appetite among the salaried class in Bangalore for this asset class as compared to Mumbai. Consequently, I had to make the difficult decision of shutting down that service, as it had caused losses for our customers. It was a tough call, one of the toughest decisions I had to make was related to a product that had been contributing significantly to our revenue, but I believed it was the right decision. 5. Do you have a mantra that you live by? Certainly, I have a personal philosophy that has guided me throughout my career. My mantra is to prioritize survival over growth, especially during the initial stages of a business venture. I have noticed that many entrepreneurs tend to focus too much on expanding quickly and making significant investments, without considering the cash flow and potential risks involved. Therefore, my advice is to concentrate on keeping expenses within the revenue margin during the first three years, to remain afloat and ensure long-term success. Only when the revenue stabilizes and the product gains acceptance, one should focus on expanding the team and investing in growth. I believe that it is not the noise made during the launch but the ability to sail through the challenges silently that makes the difference. Additionally, I think that while IQ is necessary to start a business, Emotional Quotient (EQ) is crucial to scale it effectively. 6. Many entrepreneurs quit between 1-3 years. What do you think are the primary reasons? Entrepreneurs often face challenges in the initial years of their business and may give up on their dream. While pitching for funding may seem easy, the real test starts once the business is up and running. In my opinion, the most important factor that contributes to success is intellectual honesty. It’s important to ask tough questions, not only to impress others but also to be honest with yourself about revenue predictability, product acceptability, and feedback from customers. It’s crucial to avoid getting carried away by the idea of solving