From Singapore, Youngest Indian Businessman success story at Age 23
Singapore, Sep 4 2006: While his peers may be still searching for jobs, a young Indian entrepreneur is already running a multi-million-dollar company here and is seen as a business icon.
Niraj Agarwal, a graduate of the Temasek Polytechnic, runs, at the age of 23, five stores selling and servicing computer hardware and software and with a annual turnover of Singapore $8.2 million, according to The Straits Times.
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, in his recent National Day Rally speech, mentioned Niraj's success story. He explained the importance of attracting foreign talent and urged Singaporeans to welcome them.
It all started in 2000, when Niraj first came to Singapore under a scholarship from the Singapore's ministry of education. While studying in Singapore, in order to make some extra money, he hired Hindi language teachers to set mock examination papers and sold them to students online.
"I sold them for $60 per package and there was quite a good response because nobody was doing that at the time," Niraj was quoted as saying.
Through that, he earned at least $12,000, which paid for his daily expenses.
Soon after his graduation Niraj became a permanent resident and was eager to set up his own venture rather than joining a firm.
In 2004, with $5,000 he started his own computer servicing business. Niraj roped in his elder brother who had come on a similar scholarship in Singapore two years before him.
The brothers ran a two-man show, working on as many as 20 computers a day. They worked seven days a week and took only four days off a year during Chinese New Year.
After a year, the business expanded and they ventured into hardware and software retailing.
"It was difficult at first because suppliers didn't have confidence in a young foreigner who was new to the business," said Niraj.
Last year, the enterprising Indian brought the rest of his family - one sister and his parents - over to Singapore.
"Singapore has been good to me. I've spent an important part of my life here," he said.
"And I think both foreign and local talent can share different experiences and qualities to make their businesses more successful."
He now has plans to work with a local partner to expand into the Hong Kong market.
Singapore, Sep 4 2006: While his peers may be still searching for jobs, a young Indian entrepreneur is already running a multi-million-dollar company here and is seen as a business icon.
Niraj Agarwal, a graduate of the Temasek Polytechnic, runs, at the age of 23, five stores selling and servicing computer hardware and software and with a annual turnover of Singapore $8.2 million, according to The Straits Times.
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, in his recent National Day Rally speech, mentioned Niraj's success story. He explained the importance of attracting foreign talent and urged Singaporeans to welcome them.
It all started in 2000, when Niraj first came to Singapore under a scholarship from the Singapore's ministry of education. While studying in Singapore, in order to make some extra money, he hired Hindi language teachers to set mock examination papers and sold them to students online.
"I sold them for $60 per package and there was quite a good response because nobody was doing that at the time," Niraj was quoted as saying.
Through that, he earned at least $12,000, which paid for his daily expenses.
Soon after his graduation Niraj became a permanent resident and was eager to set up his own venture rather than joining a firm.
In 2004, with $5,000 he started his own computer servicing business. Niraj roped in his elder brother who had come on a similar scholarship in Singapore two years before him.
The brothers ran a two-man show, working on as many as 20 computers a day. They worked seven days a week and took only four days off a year during Chinese New Year.
After a year, the business expanded and they ventured into hardware and software retailing.
"It was difficult at first because suppliers didn't have confidence in a young foreigner who was new to the business," said Niraj.
Last year, the enterprising Indian brought the rest of his family - one sister and his parents - over to Singapore.
"Singapore has been good to me. I've spent an important part of my life here," he said.
"And I think both foreign and local talent can share different experiences and qualities to make their businesses more successful."
He now has plans to work with a local partner to expand into the Hong Kong market.
Dislike ads? Become a Fastlane member:
Subscribe today and surround yourself with winners and millionaire mentors, not those broke friends who only want to drink beer and play video games. :-)
Access Restricted: Unlock 1,000,000+ Posts
Stop Peeking Through the Keyhole.
Open the Door.
You hit a wall because the best advice isn't free—it's earned. Since 2007, MJ DeMarco has been active here daily (99.9% active rate), building a war room for entrepreneurs who refuse to settle for mediocrity.
- Active Daily: Life-changing content posted dozens of times every day. No dead threads.
- MJ's Inner Circle: Direct access to the author of The Millionaire Fastlane.
- Vetted Network: Connect with founders scaling to 7 and 8 figures.
- Proven Roadmaps: Strategy over motivation. Execution over "hustle porn."
"SCALED TO 6-FIGURE MONTHS"
"Tips and advice here saved me from huge mistakes, others allowed me to scale my business to 6-figure months."— User MitchC
"INSANE QUALITY OF PEOPLE"
"The number of high quality people I've met from this forum has been insane. All of it predicated on building real value."— User Richard Peck
"You are the average of the five people you surround yourself with."
Are you surrounding yourself with success?
