Who’s the BOSS?

When most are holding on to their jobs, some are voluntarily quitting, to follow their dreams

When most are holding on to their jobs, some are voluntarily quitting, to follow their dreams

Mithun Kidambi, 26
Where: OgilvyOne
When: October 2008
Why: Is part of a three-member team who are launching their own startup a platform for online entertainment under the name https://www.projectoffguard.com/

Mithun (left) and Arnab hard at work on their startup an online entertainment portal

In the details: Mithun says, "There was a startup we were planning for a while. The company gave me a raise and promoted me to copy supervisor. But there were a lot of cut backs and compromises were being made. It made sense to leave. It was the right time to go into our bunkers and do our own thing."

Family matters: Mithun says that this was always his decision. However his family did caution him. "My sister is in the USu00a0said it's really bad there. It's not so big here."

Office office: Mithun's bosses were not keen on him leaving the company as he handled the bigger accounts. "From the beginning, my boss knew I would leave. He just did not know it would be this soon," laughs Mithun.

Game plan: "I have my finances lined up. If I had quit after the recession, then I would have to wait longer to begin the startup. I am confident enough," says Mithun.

Arnab Saha, 29
Where: Hungama
When: October 24, 2008 "Exactly 30 months after I joined," says Arnab acknowledging the irony.
Why: Mithun's partner in crime, Arnab says that even as a senior developer at Hungama, he was thinking of plunging into something new.

In the details: Arnab admits he had a few doubts but now is happy with his decision.

Family matters: He too had a supportive family but one that was cautions. "I convinced them," he says with a grin.

Office office: Arnab gives full credit to the management for being supportive.

Game plan: If the startup does not meet his expectations, Arnab states, "I have enough experience to move
on to the next job."

Words of wisdom: Arnab says that quitting a job and starting something on your own depends on the individual. "It's a matter of choice," he says, "if they can handle it, they should take the plunge. I would recommend they try it at least once."

Vijay Sharma, 27
Where: Unwilling to disclose
When: January 28, 2008
Why: Vijay claims that the company and he wanted very different things and so he decided to bow out.

In the details: Vijay is a freelance mobile game developer currently doing a project for Samsung, as their Mobile Innovator, after having won their international competition for mobile game innovation. "This is when I decided to give up my job and sell my games. I came up with a few ideas and hired a freelancer for a small amount to make the game," he says.u00a0u00a0

Family matters: Yes, his mother was a little hesitant but once he proved himself, she gave him her full support. He says, "Last year I just hired one person at a very low cost and won a lump sum from Samsung. Now she trusts me and told me I can do as I wish. This is because I proved my self."

Office office: Without disclosing much, Vijay says that he is happy with the final outcome.

Game plan: Vijay says that earlier it was difficult to publish your games but now every mobile company has their application store. "The market allows guys like me to think of ideas and hire art and programming guys and sell their work. I can reach a mass market (because of the nature of the medium) and the profits are high," adds Vijay with a glint in his eye. He is now developing games where four people can play at once as opposed to just two.

Words of wisdom: Vijay cautions, "Do not jump in to it. Make sure you have enough balance in your account to sustain you for a year."

Shashank Jayakumar, 22
Where: Cordys (software firm)
When: May 15, 2009
Why: Is venturing into business in a niche market before which he plans to travel.

In the details: Shashank worked as the manager sales for two years with the firm. "After having worked for two years, you also get to study the market and figure out what is missing. Then you fill those gaps by providing niche services." He believes that if these services can function in a market that is facing a cash crunch, they are sure to do well when the market is looking up.

Family matters: Since Shashank comes from a business family it was an understanding that he would eventually have a business of his own. "My family did not ask me to rethink. I received their full support."

Office office: The management was supportive. "We are a small company and connect with each other on a personal level. My boss said he was waiting for me to come up to him and tell him that I was planning on venturing out on my own," says Shashank.

Game plan: Shashank realises that there is no better time to experiment and that he won't lose out on anything. "There is a lot of opportunity out there. You start off right now because the need is there and then capitalise on it once recession is over." He has a few projects in the pipeline, all concerning tapping a niche market. But he will begin work only once he gets back from a three-month travel trip across India and hopefully Europe too.

Words of wisdom: "I can't speak for someone else. My decision is the right one for me," signs of Shashank.

Experts speak
Hari Nair, vice president, human resources at Sona Koyo Steering Systems Limited believes that this is the best time to begin your own startup. He says, "Office space and staff are available at cheaper rates. The prices are not as exorbitant as they were when the growth rate was 10-12 per cent." Another top executive with an international bank says, "In times like these the fun and the meat of the job is taken away and hence this is the best time to plunge into something on your own." Nair says that even if the startup fails to meet targets, there is a good chance of getting back into the job market. He says, "There are two scenarios flight and fight.

Now is the fight scenario but once the situation improves in the second or third quarter, those with entrepreneurial experience will stand a better chance."

Yet, both caution that venturing out on your own will not be easy. Some of the guidelines they suggest: Introspect
Know your USP
This should not be a stopgap venture
Calculate the risk