His story is a classic case about how a person’s dreams, decisions, and experiences change at different stages of life—Ankur Warikoo is a shining example in this regard. Ankur’s journey from aspiring space scientist to an accomplished entrepreneur underscores the significance of introspection, nimbleness, and pursuing what brings genuine satisfaction.
Early Education and Dreams in the Ankur Warikoo Career Journey
Ankur Warikoo had set high expectations for himself even in school:
- Studying in the USA
- Working for NASA as a space scientist
- Traveling to Mars and using it as a base
He worked extremely hard to make these dreams a reality. He graduated from Hindu College, Delhi with a bachelor’s degree in Physics and hoped to get a Ph.D. in a US University. He was fortunate to get a seat in Michigan State University for a fully funded PhD program with a 1500 dollars stipend.
Nonetheless, even after accomplishing everything he had hoped for in his life, he sensed that something was amiss or incomplete. It dawned on him that even though he did well in physics, it was not a subject that gave him any satisfaction. Now that he was this aware of himself, he had two options:
- Pursue a PhD and stay on an established path of success.
- Move towards an unpredictable route which had the potential to make him content.
Ankur chose the second option and dropped out of his PhD program at 24. Not knowing what to do next, he returned to India looking somewhat directionless.
A Turning Point in the Ankur Warikoo Career Journey
Ankur’s next steps were determined by enrolling in the MBA program of the Indian School of Business. With this decision, he aimed at less conventional forms of education and hoped to be mentored by successful individuals to raise his self-awareness.
A Turning Point in the Ankur Warikoo Career Journey
Ankur’s professional life progressed in stunningly and excitingly unexpected ways:
The Ankur Warikoo Career Journey into Management Consulting
Ankur stepped into the corporate world as a management consultant after completing his MBA. In this role, he was able to work with smart, multicultural people and solve important business problems, which furthered his interest and love for business and entrepreneurship.
Startup Success in the Ankur Warikoo Career Journey: Secondshadi.com & Gaadi.com
As a consultant, Ankur began working part-time for a friend’s startup, Secondshadi.com. After 1.5 years, he made the bold decision to resign from consulting, taking an 80% pay cut to focus fully on the startup. This was a considerable leap of faith that showcased his commitment to the project.
He also assisted in the launch of Gaadi.com, which grew to be the most popular Indian website revolving around automobiles.
Groupon in career journey
Ankur became part of Groupon, an American multinational corporation, in 2011 to handle its Indian operations. He also operated multiple business units within the Asia Pacific region, giving him a deep understanding of international business practices.
Nearbuy in career journey
In 2015, Ankur bought out Groupon’s Indian subsidiary, rebranding it as Nearbuy, an ecommerce platform offering discounts for various local services such as restaurants, spas and movies. The company grew rapidly and in 2017 was funded by Paytm. In 2019, Ankur stepped down as CEO of Nearbuy indicating the next chapter of his career.
Insights and Final Reflection
Ankur is grateful for the journey he has had so far, and considers it to be a roller coaster filled with unexpected events. Through his story, we understand the importance of being flexible with our strategies and accepting that life is a balance of good and bad. While everything always seems in order, life can throw you a curveball and being open to it is important.
Definitive Remark
“A champion is defined as the one who employs the best-suited strategy.”
Life Lessons from the Ankur Warikoo Career Journey
Self-Reflection is Essential: It is important to check if you derive satisfaction from your professional glory. To accomplish something and enjoy doing it are not mutually exclusive.
Plans Should Be Updated: Given the unpredictable nature of life, one must consider and prepare for changes in strategies and objectives.
Chase What Brings You Joy: Do not hesitate to go after the things and skills that get your adrenaline pumping for both business and passions.
Success, as Ankur Warikoo portrays it, is not somewhere at the end of this long journey but is through all the lessons, experiences, steps taken and failures faced along the way. Be willing to step outside your comfort zone, as life is an adventure, and always follow the things that spark joy in your life.
