Meet A Young Entrepreneur From India Redefining The Safety Space, A Founder’s Story with Thanmai Deekshith
With an executive degree from the University of California, Berkeley, Mr. Thanmai Deekshith is an experienced entrepreneur. He has a passion for road safety and creative problem-solving, providing out-of-the-box solutions to complex problems in the safety space. He is a recipient of the Star Innovator Award. His expertise lies in the department of product and sales.
Tell us about your childhood and where you grew up
I grew up in Bangalore which is the Silicon Valley of India. As such, from my childhood, I had the opportunity to get fantastic exposure to a diverse set of experiences. From a young age, I was inquisitive by nature, attempting to understand the phenomenon surrounding the earth, space, and everything in between. My upbringing and the social milieu I grew up in helped me foster a holistic view of life and taught me to approach problems from a novel perspective. I was able to grasp the concept behind complex ideas from an early age and that has currently led me to uphold strong values such as equality, respect, and justice. Like every other kid, my childhood shaped the man I am today, and I am thankful for every experience, no matter good or bad.
How did you get started as an entrepreneur?
My journey as an entrepreneur kicked off soon after college. My business acumen developed after I started my journey as I pretty much learned a lot on the job. I began this endeavor with my father, who has been my greatest mentor. I continue to learn from him. Originally started as a fleet management solution, I decided to widen our company’s horizon to be in tandem with the current marketplace and to meet the safety needs of our clients. The driving force behind my journey is my desire to offer safety to the employees whether they are on the road or inside their workplaces (plants/warehouses). When I started off, I made mistakes like everybody but what kept me going was that I didn’t view these experiences as failures but as great teaching moments which helped me improve my business plan. I still have a long journey ahead of me and look forward to whatever life throws my way.
What is one business lesson you would tell a startup founder?
Never underestimate the power of the phrase — ‘Been there, done that. My lesson to any startup founder would be to get a good set of advisors who also have skin in the game. Their past experiences enrich your current learnings and can sway the needle between your business becoming a success or a failure.
