A college dropout at 17 and a start-up millionaire at 23… Meet Ritesh Agarwal, who has built India’s largest branded network of hotels, OYO, which today has a presence in 200 cities across the country and over 70,000 rooms on offer to guests.
Talking about his journey so far, he says, “I dropped out of college since I felt that continuing with studies meant I would lose out on time that could otherwise be utilised in building a business. I have also been fortunate to get opportunities such as the Thiel Fellowship, through which I received the mentorship and the guidance of a visionary like Peter Thiel, the co-founder of PayPal. It has been among the most transformational experiences of my journey. I believe different things work for different people, and as long as you are sure about what you want to do, you should follow your convictions.”
At the start
Agarwal was born in Bissam Cuttack in Odisha and grew up in a small town called Rayagada. He belongs to a middle-class family and is the youngest of four siblings. He envisioned starting his own business since his school days. But growing up in a small town meant he had limited exposure to big businesses. Yet, his dogged determination saw him trying his hand at various things even as a kid, from selling SIM cards to fast-moving consumer goods.
He was also good in studies and simultaneously attended convent schools in town. Eventually, he moved to Kota in Rajasthan to prepare for his engineering entrance exams. That’s when he started travelling to Delhi to attend startup meets and mixers and understand the space. He ended up dropping out of college eventually, deciding to focus instead on starting something in the travel sector.
The spin-off
Denne historien er fra May - June 2017-utgaven av MARWAR India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra May - June 2017-utgaven av MARWAR India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
A WARRIOR on Many Fronts
From becoming the first woman from the Marwari community to join the Indian Army to emerging as the pioneer woman paratrooper from the the Indian Army Dental Corps, Dr. Captain Reeta Rajkishor Biyani also known as Ritu Biyani, has had a journey of courage and resilience.
IN THE EYE OF THE TIGER
Seasoned adventurers embark on a safari through Ranthambore National Park, a prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, ancient 400-year-old banyan trees and the grand Ranthambore Fort serve as a picturesque backdrop for encounters with the park's iconic inhabitant: The Majestic Tiger.
Where Royalty Resis
Gatore Ki Chhatriyaan-the ornate, domeshaped cenotaphs in Jaipur-never stop fascinating the discerning traveller.
Where Love Begins
Mothers are a beacon of love, strength and wisdom. They are our biggest role models. And special occasions are a chance to reflect on the unending love and sacrifices made by our mothers. As an ode to Mother's Day that falls in May, we get a cross-section of celebrities from the design industry to share their thoughts on their mothers.
Postcards from Rajasthan
With fashion labels capturing the captivating beauty of traditional weaves, we explore the portrayal of the exquisite Rajasthani Banjaran rhapsody.
The Lawver Who Loves Cooking
In her book Bapu’s Curries: Culinary Journey of a Father, Shreeparna Khaitan takes us through the culinary journey of her father Umesh Khaitan and his passion for cooking. Flip through the pages for an excerpt from the book and authentic recipes straight from a Marwari household.
Hold, Sip & Enjoy Your Cuppa
A tete-a-tete with Mishthi Aggarwal, Founder-CEO, 93 Degrees Coffee Roasters, the fourth generation of the Bikanervala legacy, and the only woman specialty coffee roaster in India.
50 YEARS OF SPREADING Happiness
With the business conglomerate Emami marking its golden jubilee in 2024, MARWAR India explores its successful journey that started back in 1974 in the humble lanes of Burra Bazaar in Kolkata. The only business group in India run by two partner families unrelated by blood, the brand is rooted yet global in its appeal. Over to Aditya Agarwal and Manish Goenka, Promoter-Directors, Emami Group, on celebrating five decades in the industry.
A Powerhouse from The East
Cosmic Birla Group is a tale of vision, entrepreneurship, and commitment to excellence.
The Rolex Renaissance
To mark the International Women's Day, a shout out to women watch aficionados to embark on a journey of alluring Rolex wristwatches and consider adding some of them, at least, to your existing collection.
