Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in career development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Avinash Deshmukh, Founder and CEO of BOLDNET India located in Pune, Maharashtra, India.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

We are BOLDNET: Buddies Open Learning and Development Network, a company based on principles of collaborative learning through a community approach working for career guidance, personality development, and employability development in young Indians. Students in the age group of 14-25 are our clients. We help students first to identify their most appropriate career through a very holistic and scientific approach using psychometric assessments, self-reflection, discussion, and deliberation with a professional coach and all other stakeholders.

Our process not only considers the student's desires and interests but also assesses their personality, aptitude, emotional quotient, and natural style of functioning. After considering all these factors, our Artificial Intelligence-based software helps map the student with the most suitable career options for them, followed by a set of coaching sessions with a certified career coach who further guides considering other factors such as family - socio-economic situations and available opportunities as well. We also offer Virtual Internships for students to have a feel of the career for a few hours/weeks.

Our Personality and Employability Development Process is unique in itself, wherein we focus more on learning through regular implementation practice. We have designed a separate module that combines classroom training on field implementation practice, repetition and mastery. The community of students also gets access to real-time industry experts from their desired fields to talk and get mentored, along with internship opportunities.

We also have designed and developed:

  1. A Holistic Brain Capabilities and Emotional Intelligence Enhancement Program: Har Ghar Mein Genius
  2. An Intellectual Skills Development Laboratory for Schools: Indi-Genius Lab
  3. Innovation Promotion and Development Club for School Children: IDEABAAJ

Currently, we provide these services to students in the age group of 5 years to 15 years.

Tell us about yourself

After spending over 19 years in corporate life, I finally decided to stand up on my own for my long-cherished dream of having my own enterprise in the domain of helping youngsters. My own experience of having no career guidance led to various trials and errors and experiments to discover my calling made me take this decision to stand up for the struggling young generation and be a guiding torchlight for them. The sparkling eyes of children and the smiling face of a young buddy motivate me every day.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Nothing substantial in terms of any rewards or recognition. Having continued my business journey successfully even after seven years, despite taking on innovative services and having a family of four to take care of, is my accomplishment. Have designed innovative services:

1. Holistic Child Brain Development Program Har Ghar Mein Genius
2. An Intellectual Skills Development Laboratory for school children aged 6- 12
3. A school-based Innovation Promotion Club: IDEABAAJ for ages 12-15
4. BOLDNET: for Young students aged 14-25

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

It's hard to give up on an idea you love a lot and are sure will work but doesn't work initially. Giving family quality time is hard.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Don't get into business for the sake of only making money. If you aren't really passionate about something, then it's not worth banking on it.
  2. Be ready to lead a life of minimal expenses for the initial few years. Keep some financial savings if you have a family to take care of.
  3. What you talk to yourself daily is more important than what others talk to you.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://boldnet.in/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Careersandlife/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boldnetindia/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/boldnet/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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