Anil Chhikara’s Post

ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS OFTEN ROMANTICIZED ✨💪 but the truth is, it’s a path filled with personal and financial risks. I remember the early days of my own journey, staring at my idea with excitement—yet aware of the uncertain road ahead. The feeling is both exhilarating and daunting. Take Ritesh Agarwal🚀, founder of OYO Rooms. At just 19, he invested his time and whatever funds he could gather to bring affordable, standardized stays to India’s hotel industry. The risk was monumental, considering he had little experience and was challenging an established industry. Yet, with persistence and adaptability, he built OYO into a household name, giving travelers access to quality stays at affordable prices. I’ve learned that if you’re waiting for the perfect moment, you might wait forever. Success is built on moments of courage and the willingness to stand at the edge, even if you can’t see the other side. It’s a journey where risk is the cost of entry, and the reward is the chance to build something bigger than yourself.✨ Are you ready to take the leap? 🌄 #Entrepreneurship #RiskAndReward #StartupLife #OYO #GrowthMindset #Innovation #MyJourney #bob

One moment that really resonated was when Ritesh Agarwal spoke about a low point in his life. He was in the early days of OYO and didn’t have the funds to pay office rent. The office owner ended up throwing his gadgets and belongings out onto the street, leaving Ritesh without a workspace or a place to stay. With nowhere to go, he stayed for several nights on the landing of a building’s staircase. This experience, he said, taught him resilience and the value of grit—qualities that have become pillars in his life and in building OYO. Another key lesson from Ritesh was around listening to customers. He shared how vital customer feedback has been in shaping OYO’s journey and ensuring that it didn’t just survive but thrived, even as it scaled to new markets. Ritesh stressed that adapting quickly and staying grounded by truly understanding customer needs are essential ingredients for any entrepreneur. Ritesh’s story also reflected his unwavering belief in innovation and the power of technology to simplify complex processes. He saw the traditional hospitality model as ripe for change and used technology to make hotel booking easy, affordable, and accessible globally. Hearing his story reminded me that entrepreneurship isn’t just about scaling or revenues; it’s about relentless learning and overcoming adversity. Ritesh’s journey is a reminder that success is built on resilience, adaptability, and the courage to face whatever comes your way. #Business #Funding #Entrepreneurship #OYO #Resilience #GrowthMindset #Startup #Sharktank #Sharktankindia #Riteshagarwal #Stockmarket #IPO #Growth #Linkedin

Had a delightful evening with Ritesh Agarwal, the founder of OYO hotels! It was a pleasure listening to his candid self. Some learnings that I took away from his entrepreneurial journey: - One should take whatever new experiences or learnings they get; you never know when it proves useful. - Luck plays a big role in one’s success, but if you work hard, the probability of luck increases. - Thinking big comes with no cost. - Tough feedbacks can be given in a respectable way. #OYO #founder #inspiration #startup

Ritesh Agarwal is the visionary entrepreneur behind OYO Rooms, a hospitality startup that has reshaped the budget accommodation industry in India and beyond. Born on November 16, 1993, in Bissam Cuttack, a small town in Odisha, India, Agarwal demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit from a young age. At 17, he moved to Delhi to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams. Despite facing financial constraints and language barriers, Agarwal was determined to succeed. In 2013, he founded Oravel Stays, which later evolved into OYO Rooms. OYO Rooms quickly gained traction, offering affordable and standardized accommodations to travelers. Agarwal's innovative business model, which involved partnering with budget hotels and standardizing their offerings, revolutionized the hospitality industry in India. The turning point came in 2015 when OYO secured funding from investors like SoftBank Group, propelling its expansion both domestically and internationally. Agarwal's leadership and strategic vision played a pivotal role in OYO's rapid growth. Under his guidance, OYO expanded its presence to over 80 countries, becoming one of the world's largest hotel chains. Agarwal's relentless focus on customer satisfaction and technological innovation cemented OYO's position as a market leader. Despite facing challenges and criticism along the way, Agarwal remained resilient, constantly iterating and improving OYO's services. His success story serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs worldwide, showcasing the power of determination, innovation, and unwavering belief in one's vision. Read Exclusive Interviews here: https://decisionmaker.in/ #RiteshAgarwal #OYORooms #Hospitality #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #Startup #BusinessSuccess #Travel #TechInnovation #Leadership #Inspiration #BusinessGrowth #GlobalExpansion #CustomerSatisfaction #VisionaryLeadership

From Failure To Building A $2.84 Billion Travel Company! Deep Kalra, the founder and chairman of MakeMyTrip, India's leading online travel company, has an inspiring journey. After working with top companies like ABN AMRO Bank N.V. and GE Capital, Kalra felt the urge to do something more impactful. He first ventured into entrepreneurship by acquiring AMF Bowling, an American company, to introduce 10-pin bowling in India, but the venture didn't succeed. However, this experience motivated him to try again. Kalra saw a need for a more organized and efficient travel industry in India. In 2000, with $2 million in funding, he co-founded MakeMyTrip with Keyur Joshi, Rajesh Magow, and @Sachin Bhatia. MakeMyTrip revolutionized travel planning by offering easy, quick, and comprehensive online bookings. The company quickly became popular for its reliable and transparent services, bolstered by 24-hour customer support! By 2005, MakeMyTrip had firmly established itself in the Indian market. Kalra's leadership earned him numerous accolades, including being ranked as India’s Top Digital Influencer by KPMG in 2011. MakeMyTrip's success is evident with a market cap of $2.84 billion as of June 2023, placing it among the World's Most Valuable Companies. What are your thoughts on this? Comment below! #startups #entrepreneur

Want to Build a Scalable Startup? Try the Assets Light Strategy! Startup Strategy #7: Assets Light Strategy🏨 OYO’s remarkable success can be attributed, in part, to its unconventional “Assets Light Strategy”. Unlike traditional hotel chains that own and operate their properties, OYO chose a different path. Instead of owning hotels, OYO partners with existing hotel owners. Here’s how it works for OYO: 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴: OYO franchises its brand to independent hotel owners, allowing them to retain ownership while operating under the OYO brand. It leases rooms within existing hotels, transforming them into OYO-branded rooms. By avoiding direct property ownership, OYO significantly reduces capital expenditures and operational risks. 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Rapidly expands network across diverse markets without owning properties. Standardizes services like free Wi-Fi, breakfast, and branded toiletries. 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗴𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Facilitates global expansion by leveraging existing infrastructure. Avoids property market risks and maintenance costs. Adapts quickly to market changes. So, what is the Assets Light Strategy? It focuses on reducing capital investment in physical assets by partnering with others to use existing infrastructure, save costs, and increase flexibility. 🌟 Are there more examples of this strategy, let me know in the comments below. #StartupSuccess #AssetsLight #BusinessStrategy #OYO #Scalability #GlobalExpansion #FlexibleBusinessModel #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #StartupIndia #iStartRajasthan #StartupOdisha #StartupTN #FTBINITRourkela #SCIFIIIMLucknow #WeneursForum

💼 𝗥𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗼𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗢𝗬𝗢: 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 🚀 Ritesh Agarwal, Founder & CEO of OYO, is making waves once again! With a bold move to increase his stake from 30% to 32%, Agarwal is investing an additional ₹550 crore ($65.1 million) into the hospitality giant. Here’s what you need to know: 🔹 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗝𝘂𝗺𝗽: #OYO’s valuation rises to $3.4 billion, a 45% premium from its August 2024 round. 🔹 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵: The Series G round, led by Agarwal with $100M, supported OYO’s acquisition of G6 Hospitality, adding Motel 6 and Studio 6 brands to its portfolio. 🔹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲: OYO reported ₹158 crore net profit in Q2 FY25 and has maintained profitability for two consecutive quarters. Agarwal’s commitment underscores his confidence in OYO’s growth trajectory and the evolving hospitality landscape. 🌍 What does this mean for the industry? Share your thoughts below! #HospitalityTech #OYO #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #startup #founder

OYO : 𝗜𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗔 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲: OYO as a case study highlights what a new company can do in terms of making an industry revolution in a new way. As 𝗥𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀𝗵 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗹 started 𝗢𝗬𝗢 at the age of 𝟭𝟵, he called the challenge of building a uniform technology in the hazy budget hotel market. A few aspects that propelled OYO ahead are: –Developing a high technology platform aimed at recreating the budget-hotel sector. –Establishing a foothold in foreign markets to reach clients residing in different countries. –Forming effective relationships with property owners and making them a part of OYO’s progress agenda. 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗢𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿: With the trends in the customers’ favoring of operational efficiency, obsolete prices, and great quality, the OYO was the first to notice the opportunity of the need of a simpler booking platform with end to end solutions for clients. Their technology focus helped, not only the travelers but also hotel owners who were offered tools and technology to help them optimize their prices and operations. OYO also capitalized on the need for low budget accommodation that is awash with the millennial generation’s tendency to be actively engaging with the internet. 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: The OYO has focused on its customers’ needs in marketing and has always placed emphasis on price and confidence. Their slogan, “𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗼 𝗢𝗬𝗢 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗻,” symbolizes the ease and convenience they intend travelers to experience. They successfully managed to brand themselves as low cost and trustworthy hot 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀: For any aspiring business, OYO offers key lessons: –Use technology to disrupt traditional industries and scale rapidly. –Focus on providing value for both customers and partners. –Stay agile and adapt quickly to changing market trends. –Build strong relationships whether it’s with customers, partners, or employees. 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 Click 1 Production 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀! #casestudy #oyo #startup #innovation #hospitality #leadership #entrepreneurship #techstartup #businesssuccess

Recently I had the honour of meeting Mr. Ritesh Agarwal, Founder of OYO Rooms! And, trust me, he is one of the most humble guys I have ever met, so what are some lessons that we can learn from his success journey? Here’s his story and some lessons! Born in the heart of Odisha, India, in a small town called Bissam Cuttack, a young Ritesh Agarwal dreamt big. Growing up in Titilagarh, amidst the humble beginnings of his family's small shop in Rayagada, his journey to becoming a billionaire entrepreneur is nothing short of inspirational. The Leap of Faith: In 2011, he took a bold step, moving to Delhi for college, fueled by a vision that would soon disrupt the hospitality industry. His early venture, Oravel Stays, laid the groundwork for what would evolve into OYO Rooms in 2013. The Innovation: Identifying a gap in the hospitality market, he innovated a unique solution that catered to budget travelers and small hotel owners alike. This customer-focused approach, coupled with relentless innovation, propelled OYO to unprecedented heights. By 2018, the company had raised $1 billion, and Ritesh reinvested a massive $2 billion in 2019, earning him a spot on the Forbes 30 under 30 list for Asia. The Power of Partnerships: Building strong relationships with hotel owners has been crucial. Ritesh emphasized mutual benefits, showing us the importance of partnerships in scaling a business. Lessons of Resilience and Integrity: Despite facing controversies, Ritesh's journey teaches us the importance of resilience, integrity, and transparency in business. The ability to learn from failures and adapt to market changes is a testament to his visionary leadership. A Epitome of Inspiration: Ritesh Agarwal's story is a powerful reminder that with dream, determination, and ethical business practices, anyone can turn challenges into stepping stones for success. His journey from a small-town boy to a globally recognized entrepreneur teaches us invaluable lessons in innovation, customer focus, and the essence of continuous learning. Let's carry these lessons forward in our entrepreneurial endeavours, inspired by the remarkable journey of Ritesh Agarwal and OYO. Dream big, work hard, and most importantly, maintain your integrity along the way. ___ Follow Rahul Jain & hit the bell icon! #entrepreneurship

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