Can you please tell us a bit about yourself and the business that you are involved in?
I completed my Masters in International Business & Management from Westminster Business School in 2005-06 and have been a financial services’ professional in India for the last 8 years. I started my career at Bank of America as a quantitative finance analyst in 2006, joined PwC in the Corporate Finance team in 2008 and since 2011 have been an investment banker at Centrum Capital Ltd. which is a leading financial services firm in India. I head the Corporate Finance business there now.
Around 2 years ago, I decided along with a couple of really close friends to set up a business that could cater to the large Indian student community overseas and the result was “Hogiliscious” . Hogiliscious aims to be the first online ecommerce portal from where Indian students, expatriates and others can order a wide range of Indian Snack and Ready to Cook products from the comfort of their homes. We will deliver these fresh and delicious products to you internationally within a 3-4 day time frame.
The portal was commercially launched a month ago and we are receiving very good reviews for the platform. Our endeavour is to ensure that Indians overseas do not need to travel anymore with heavy suitcases full of food. We can bring the taste of India to you real time!
I am more of a financial investor in the company now, with another partner running the business on a daily basis. I am more involved with building the brand, defining long term marketing strategies and stitching up collaborations to facilitate our growth.
How is running a successful business different than what you thought it would be?
Running a business is pretty much like a roller coaster – you could be at the very top one day and trying to scrape your way out of the bottom the next. Having said that, it teaches you some very important basics like savouring the small victories of life like winning your first order, receiving positive reviews, etc. Unlike a job where there is a very strong support system provided to you by the organisation, you need to build everything from scratch in a start-up. Attracting the right talent that can help build an organisational culture for the long term, staying patient and calm when the going isn’t easy are great qualities that running a business helps you develop.
What I enjoy the most is the knowledge that with every day and every small step, we’ve actually created a little more value for all stakeholders in the business – investors, employees, vendors, etc.
Why did you choose at Westminster Business School?
The University of Westminster was one of my first choices for pursuing my PG degree in the UK given its extensive scholarship programme, strategic location in the heart of London and reputation of the business school. I was fortunate enough to get a full tuition waiver and the rest as they say is history.
My year at Westminster Business School was probably the year that defined my life to what it is today.
What were the main challenges you have faced during your stay in London?
To be honest, I found London to be a really easy city to live in once you figure your way around. People are friendly, traveling around the city is very easy and the fact that it is a cultural melting pot makes you always feel welcome and at home. Probably once challenge that one cannot do much about is the fact that it is one of the more expensive cities to live in in Europe!
As a fellow student what would you recommend other international students in the Westminster Business School?
I think every student that studies at Westminster Business School should go to school each day with an open mind and be ready to learn as much as is possible from the faculty, students from various different countries and cultures and of course the fantastic environment that London offers.
An added bonus is pursuing some type of value-adding part time jobs if possible. These will help boost your resume and also provide some much needed pocket money.
Which Three Adjectives Describe Your Strengths?
Tenacious, straight forward and hard working
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?
I think winning the full tuition waiver scholarship and then doing well on the degree to repay the University’s faith were two of my most fulfilling achievements to date.
What did you enjoy most about your experience at Westminster Business School?
The quality of the faculty, companionship of my fellow students, many of whom are good friends even 8 years later and the international platform provided to me by the University were my greatest takeaways.
What’s your most memorable experience in London?
The unlocking of my mind to embrace such a global experience in terms of the education provided, living on my own and learning so many new things, the people I met and the experiences I had were memorable. There is truly only one London!
Did living and studying abroad make a big difference when you returned home? If yes how?
Absolutely. My year in London changed my life – I learned how to think out of the box, understand and appreciate diverse views, value team work and collaboration and how nothing is impossible if one truly puts their heart and soul into something.
I’ve used what I learnt during my year at WBS in all my professional assignments and also in the business that I’m incubating. The experience and knowledge I gained there is truly invaluable and can’t be quantified.
What does the future hold for you? What are your plans?
Our aim is to become the world’s best and largest portal in the ethnic Indian food business in due course of time and the plan for now is to give the business everything to ensure that this goal is achieved.
Useful Links:
hogiliscious
hogiliscious facebook
Connect with Karan Desai
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