It has been five months since I embarked on my first entrepreneurial 'experiment', unlike an initiative or venture, which often imply a more established or profit-driven goal, this project is all about putting the theories I learned during my Master's at the
英国斯特拉斯克莱德大学
into practice.
After completing my Master's in Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the
英国斯特拉斯克莱德大学
, I returned to India facing a crossroads: dive back into the workforce or chase an entrepreneurial dream. This is the synopsis of that journey.
The decision was particularly challenging for a few reasons:
- As a first-generation entrepreneur in my family tree, I lacked the invaluable guidance of a mentor.
- Coming from a middle-class community where fulfilling basic needs and financial security is paramount, I couldn't expect initial funding from friends, family, relatives.
- Embarking on this entrepreneurial journey meant embracing high risk, uncertainty, and limited support, all while facing financial constraints after a year-long break from work.
Despite the challenges, several factors propelled me towards entrepreneurship:
- The immersive culture and entrepreneurial mindset fostered during my UK master's program had a profound impact, shifting my perspective.
- Having already taken a calculated risk by leaving a stable job for my education, extending that break to pursue a passion project felt like a logical next step.
- The modules I explored during Masters' – Entrepreneurial Mindset, Social Innovation, Social Entrepreneurship, Venture Planning, Global Innovation, Entrepreneurial Finance – ignited a desire to apply this theoretical knowledge in the real world. Ultimately, the entrepreneurial spirit had become ingrained in me, and the possibility of regret if I didn't take the leap became a powerful motivator.
The Entrepreneurial Experiment:
By November 2023, I opted for a calculated middle-way. I'd extend my educational break, treating it as an opportunity to put my learnings into practice – thus, the concept of the "entrepreneurial experiment" was born. This wasn't about launching a full-fledged venture, but rather an immersive experience to test the theories I'd acquired.
This experimentation led to the creation of
ScholarSchool
. The idea for
ScholarSchool
wasn't a one-time epiphany; it evolved through a series of refinements, honed through a rigorous process of brainstorming, research, analysis, discussions, planning, and financial projections.
Initially I predominantly focused on content creation, digital marketing and exploring fundraising avenues. After gaining valuable practical experience, I decided to conclude this chapter by mid of April-2024 with a wealth of knowledge in hand. Yes, I admit that a lot of things didn't went as planned initially but I understand and accept this as part of my entrepreneurial learnings.
Key Takeaways:
- While returning to work might have offered immediate financial security, it wouldn't have nurtured my entrepreneurial aspirations. Sure, there might be a temporary financial setback, but being a first-generation entrepreneur enthusiast I've gained something far more valuable: understanding and development of the entrepreneurial mindset and skillset. This knowledge will undoubtedly benefit me throughout my long-term career.
- This past year and a half has ignited a passion for research, analysis, and writing. I plan to channel this into hobby of blogging focused on rural management topics like livelihood, entrepreneurship, and building an employable education system.
- The creation of video courses like and 'AI for Boosting Productivity (Udemy)' / 'AI for Boosting Productivity (ScholarSchool)', 'MS Word for Everyone' not only helped others but also deepened my own knowledge. Fueled by these experiences, I've embarked on writing two books: "Problem-Solving through Design Thinking" and "Communication Strategies Beyond Speaking." Look for their potential launch in the coming months!
- "Starting a venture" doesn't always require complete separation from your current role. With a visionary, feasible, and well-defined plan, you can propose entrepreneurial initiatives within your employer organization.
- Connecting with angel investors allowed me to hone my investor pitching skills – a valuable asset, moreover I gained valuable suggestions, advise, direction for any future endeavor. A right direction is something most importance in entrepreneurship, specially for First-Gen.
- My research on livelihood and employability challenges in both rural and urban settings during the planning phase was extensive. I'll be soon turning these findings into a series of informative articles, presented in a structured and systematic way.
- Throughout my entrepreneurial journey, I've diligently kept a journal. By sharing these experiences in a series of articles, I hope to equip first-generation entrepreneurs with valuable insights to guide their own decisions.
