Shashank X GUVI

I honestly don’t know where to start.

I’m happy and terrified at the same time for the first time in my life.

From the upcoming week, I’m joining GUVI as a Project Manager - Branding.

For context, I’ve never actually worked anywhere full-time. Since the day I started making money, it was always of my own.

I have been freelancing as a graphic designer since the second month of college and since that day there was no turning back.

There were setbacks, but my entire life took a different trajectory as I started making money on the internet.

It felt empowering to make money out of the skill that I taught myself watching YouTube, which my friend Siva showed me how in the first week of college.

I’m forever grateful to him!

But why this now?

As I said, my life took a different trajectory and all I knew since day one was making money of my own, and later I evolved into a different species, entrepreneur.

I started my first company with my classmate Iniyavan which went nowhere and later sold El Mejor Coffee within months of finishing college, I was destined to become someone stupid.

Someone who was gonna change the world with one of his stupid ideas and methods.

I’ve come a long way in the past 3 years, since then, and I’ve started multiple companies without a sweating a bit and giving up on a few of them without worrying what is gonna happen.

I’ve learned a lot about building a company and what goes into branding and marketing them to the right audience.

A lot of you might know me as the Founder of Two Paise Club, and to me, that is branding. I’ve had people walk up to me on the streets of Chennai to say that they read Two Paise Club, and it’s awesome.

I feel happy when it happens. I always wanted to help people learn new stuff, and this was a way for me to do it.

But I don’t have much work to do in it, and I was looking for something to inspire me every day.

That’s when I realized that I can go work for a company that has a similar vision as I do and the fact that I can educate and empower people at the same time.

Enter Arun Prakash, CEO of Guvi

With just a casual conversation turning into an opportunity that I never thought was there.

I don’t joke when I say that your network is one of your greatest assets. Not everyone has access to a high-profile CEO in the contact list.

It’s one of the greatest privileges that I have had, as my network of entrepreneurs is second to none.

As I spoke to Arun about what I can offer, I could literally grasp his excitement of the possibility of what I can contribute to Guvi as well.

Which turned into an interview process with the C-Suite people at Guvi and eventually into a job offer I cannot refuse.

I’ll also add, they offered me more than what I asked for. Who on earth does that 😂

At that moment, I realized that there is another stupidpreneur out there with resources far better than mine and who is hungry for more.

I’m the last person who cares about money. For me, it’s just the fuel for my car called life, and it’s just for survival.

But when a company offers you more than you want, you clearly know that they want you there.

And so I said yes without even thinking a bit.

You may ask, with plenty of companies out there and with my network, I could have gotten into practically any company in this beautiful nation.

But why, GUVI?

For me, GUVI is a more than a company. It’s making every tier 2 and 3 cities kid’s dream come true.

When you teach them in their mother tongue and show that you don’t need English to succeed, the look on their faces is priceless.

I truly wish I had GUVI back when I was in school and knew about it much earlier when I was in college.

Am I sucking up to my new boss? Absolutely not 😂

I’m sure that Arun won’t even read this and even if he does, he knows that I told him this a few months ago in an entirely different setting.

And to clarify, Two Paise Club is not going anywhere. I will continue to keep it running for as long as I can.

I promise!

Does this mean am I not an entrepreneur anymore?

I’ve never been an entrepreneur, actually. I was always a stupidpreneur and I will continue to be one.

My definition of entrepreneur has always been different.

It’s more of a mindset for me, rather than a company and a corporate office.

Who knows if Arun reads this, he has my fullest permission to acquire Two Paise Club and keep it free for eternity. 🌚

But yeah, I feel like I need to explain myself on why I am getting into a job instead of building my own company.

Unlike others, I’m not the guy who has this toxic mindset of “If you don't chase your dreams, someone will hire you to build theirs.”

If that dream is for the greater good of the world or even if it’s a smaller company, and it positively impacts people’s life in your community, go do it.

For me, GUVI has that dream and vision.

Since I was a little kid, I’ve always dreamed of teaching what I know to people who are less fortunate than me, and for me, this is actually a right step into my life mission.

Even when I wanted to become a cricketer, I wanted to teach cricket when I retired.

Whenever someone empowers people without the barrier of language, humanity wins.

And I’m very much happy that I’m going to a place that exactly does that.

I’m not gonna deny it, I know a few people who looked up to me to start this own companies and I know plenty of students who want to take this route after listening to me speak.

To all of you, I say one thing, don’t give up! You have a dream and you can build it.

My dream was to empower people less fortunate than me, and I don’t care with what title I do it.

This is something that is bigger than me, and I truly believe that.

And as I said, my view on entrepreneurship has always been different.

So I beg you not to give up, the world needs more stupid people. (trust me, it’s a compliment)

I feel like it’s my responsibility to explain my decision, and I think I’ve explained well.

In case you are wondering, I’m still gonna be doing stupidity, but in a different environment. That’s my unofficial job description xD.

I still will talk at as many stages as possible, and I wouldn’t miss it for anything. I want to inspire people in tier 2 and 3 cities, and now I think I have better resources to do the same.

And GUVI management understands it, as every C-Suite employee is from a similar background.

I’m proud and happy that I get to work with such wonderful people!