What are the three traits that separate an entrepreneur from a follower?
It’s the relentless pursuit of progress, a growth mindset, and a refusal to settle in comfort zones.
Between 1935 and 1948, my father moved from Watrap to Madurai, Ooty, Coorg, and finally to Mysore. Imagine doing that with a family of four children, a wife, an elderly mother, and a blind sister. It’s no wonder he named his business Cycle—on a cycle, you must keep moving to maintain balance, or else you fall.
If you were born into a priestly class in a tiny Tamil Nadu village 110 years ago, relying on meagre earnings from priestly duties, what would you envision for your future? Would you have the courage to dream of becoming a successful businessman in a big city by the age of 40, and more importantly, work tirelessly toward that dream?
Well, my late father did just that.
Determined not to follow the traditional path of his ancestors, my father embodied the essence of entrepreneurship. Known to many as N. Ranga Rao, he broke away from the limitations of his background, changed his name from Ranga char to Ranga Rao, and relentlessly pursued his vision undeterred by financial constraints. His life was not just about defying tradition; it was about crafting a future that was entirely his own.
Starting from humble beginnings, he transformed his modest dream into a thriving enterprise. His ability to think beyond conventional boundaries and his willingness to take risks were the cornerstones of his success. He was a man who dared to envision a life far greater than his circumstances.
One story that perfectly captures his entrepreneurial spirit was when his incense business began to flourish in the mid-1950s he rented a temple property on 100 Feet Road in Mysore for his residence and manufacturing activities alongside. But soon, the local mutt objected, claiming they had not consented to commercial activities in it. Many would have been discouraged and defeated, but not my father.
With the help of his friend Appu Rao, who had connections with the revered Mantralaya Swamiji, my father travelled to Mantralaya and engaged in a thoughtful discussion with the Swamiji. He explained how his business would create jobs, operate in harmony with nature, and how it would be consistent with the vision of the Swamiji to help the local community and society and assured him that he would continue to reside on the property. Impressed by his vision, the Swamiji gave his written consent, instructing the local authorities to cease their objections.
His life journey, from a small village to building a prosperous business empire, has been a lesson to me in the power of dreaming big, daring new paths and having an unshakable belief in oneself.
Today, as we observe his 112th birth anniversary, his legacy stands as a beacon of inspiration—not just to me, but to countless others who aspire to break free from limitations and courageously pursue their ambitions. His life wasn’t just about building a business; it was about creating a life that resonated with freedom, progress, and fulfilled dreams.
