“Coming from a bureaucratic background with my father being a banker who always wished for me to be successful in a way that would allow me to lead a decent life, seeing the look of joy and pride on his face when he received the gift is something that has stayed with me forever. It was a moment of validation, knowing that my hard work and determination had not only brought success to myself but had also made my father proud.”
From a young age, Ankit Aditya Pradhan harboured a vision to create something revolutionary. With no guidance or mentorship to lean on, he fearlessly embarked on his entrepreneurial journey, driven by a strong determination to carve a path for himself.
This is the entrepreneurial story of Ankit Aditya Pradhan, the Founder and CEO of Viraaj Ventures, who not only made a name for himself in the business world but also gained recognition for his charitable endeavours. He actively participates in numerous humanitarian initiatives and understands the importance of giving back to society. He lends his support to causes dedicated to community improvement, healthcare, and education.
Creating an Impact
Ankit Aditya Pradhan was motivated by a strong desire to find solutions to pressing problems and contribute to society when he embarked on his entrepreneurial journey. He recognized the importance of giving back and believed that businesses have a responsibility to contribute to the betterment of their communities.
Ankit explains, “The inspiration for starting my business came from a deep passion and unwavering determination to solve problems and make a meaningful contribution to society. As social beings, it is our duty to give back and make the world a better place.”
Based on his own experiences, Ankit understood the risks of spreading oneself too thin. However, he firmly believed that with a clear vision and mission, even challenging tasks could be accomplished. Fueled by hope and ambitious dreams, he founded Viraaj Ventures, which served as the parent company for various businesses in sectors like IT hiring, infrastructural development, beverages, and more. Through thorough market research, he identified a gap in the real estate industry—a lack of comprehensive service providers. Seizing this opportunity, he established Realty Assistant Pvt. Ltd., aiming to offer all real estate-related services in one place. This simple yet innovative idea proved successful, propelling Realty Assistant to become one of the leading real estate ventures under the Viraaj umbrella.
A Unique Approach
With a clear vision, defined objectives, and well-thought-out plans and strategies, Realty Assistant distinguishes itself in the real estate sector. They recognize the evolving nature of the business landscape and the importance of staying ahead in today’s rapidly changing environment. The company prioritizes ideas over resources, understanding that unique ideas are essential for long-term success.
One aspect that sets Realty Assistant apart is their focus on empowering and engaging young people. They leverage modern technologies like CRMs and AI, giving them a competitive advantage. Ankit emphasizes their commitment to attracting talent from all corners of the country, actively seeking the best individuals to join their team. They understand the significance of proactive talent acquisition and actively scout for talents nationwide.
Ankit further highlights how their strategy combines technological innovation with the energy and fresh perspectives of the youth. This approach allows them to enhance their products and services, streamline their business processes, and deliver a seamless experience to their clients.
“The biggest differentiator is the importance we place on customer satisfaction across all segments of our business operations. Customer satisfaction is our business motto, and we prioritize our customers in everything we do. We empathize with our customers, considering their preferences and potential concerns, and then establish a robust mechanism to ensure their satisfaction. We are always ready to go the extra mile to comprehend our customers’ preferences, needs, and feedback. Our deep understanding of our customers allows us to provide personalized and outstanding services.”
Conquering Challenges
During the early days of Ankit’s business, he faced numerous challenges that initially seemed insurmountable. Business operations were complicated by the government’s decision in November 2016 to demonetize 86 per cent of the currencies, which resulted in a liquidity crunch and withdrawal limits.
When they were expanding their business operations in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, causing a severe downturn in the real estate market. Demand fell dramatically due to the national lockdown. Ankit explains, “It was a time when, if you remember, the Indian economy contracted by 6.6 per cent, an unprecedented contraction in modern times. Our biggest challenge was to hang on and wait for the dark clouds to blow over. There was not much we could do about the pandemic. The only thing we could have done was to take our business virtual. However, in a country like India, where people want to see what they are buying, it is a tall task to take the real estate business fully virtual. As a business, we maintained our composure and waited out the pandemic. What helped me keep my focus and confidence was the clarity of my goal. I knew where we were headed and the ways to realize our vision.”
Engaging Generation Z in a meaningful way during the business development process was another challenge that Ankit Aditya encountered. He recognized the importance of understanding the unique perspectives and preferences of this generation in order to effectively communicate and collaborate with them. To overcome this difficulty, he implemented flexible work schedules, provided opportunities for advancement, and cultivated a supportive workplace environment that aligned with their values. His aim was to create an atmosphere that encourages productivity and engagement among Generation Z employees.
Charting a Path for the Future
Their future plans for the business are ambitious. They aim to expand their presence across all Indian states and globally, with a focus on South and East India. To achieve this, they will form strategic alliances and partnerships, hire a talented workforce, and maintain a customer-centric approach. They will innovate, adapt to market changes, and invest in marketing and branding efforts. A customer-centric approach and regular monitoring of market trends and feedback will guide their decision-making process. With these strategies, they are confident in their ability to achieve their goals and make a positive impact in the markets they serve.
Entrepreneurial Wisdom:
Ankit has gained invaluable knowledge throughout his entrepreneurial journey, which has influenced his perspective and strategy for success. One of the most important lessons he has learned is the value of tenacity and patience. Building a successful business requires time and effort, and it’s crucial to remain dedicated to your objectives in the face of difficulties or setbacks. Ankit emphasizes the need to move forward with tenacity and resilience.
He has also learned the importance of time management. For business owners, time is a precious resource that must be used effectively to maximize productivity and achieve success. Ankit emphasizes the value of setting priorities, delegating tasks, and streamlining processes to stay organized and make the most of available time.
Ankit also recognizes the significance of adaptability and continuous learning. In an ever-changing business landscape, entrepreneurs must stay updated with the latest trends, technologies, and industry changes. By being adaptable and willing to learn from various sources, entrepreneurs can stay ahead and thrive in a competitive industry.
Founder’s note:
“To budding entrepreneurs, my message would be to never give up on their dreams. Entrepreneurship can be challenging, but perseverance and determination are key to overcoming obstacles and achieving success. Stay focused on your goals, be willing to learn from failures, and keep pushing forward with passion and resilience.
