After completing his graduation, Sachchidanand dreamed of starting his own business. Yet, the lack of capital kept this dream at bay. For 16 years, he worked across Delhi and Dubai, taking on part-time jobs to save more money. Even then, gathering sufficient capital remained elusive. In 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic brought economic turmoil, and he was sent home from his job. With just ₹20,000 left, he faced a daunting choice: sustain his household or pursue his business dream.
Returning home from Dubai, Sachchidanand immersed himself in farming, using the earnings to manage household expenses while saving his ₹20,000 for a startup. In September 2020, he launched Riddhi-Siddhi Home Industries, a spice company, with his two brothers and a friend. They took an ₹80,000 Mudra loan to buy packing and grinding machines. They began purchasing whole spices, grinding them, and selling them in the market. However, market challenges soon led to an ₹800,000 loss. His partners withdrew, and the company shut down.
Sachchidanand recalls that the company’s closure left each of the four partners with a loss of ₹200,000. None were keen on restarting the business. At this juncture, they met Jagriti’s enterprise leader, Markandey Dayal Tripathi. He awakened the Hanuman within Sachchidanand, encouraging him to learn from past mistakes and move forward. Partnering with Abhay Pratap Singh from Nakail village, they launched Sarvadev Agro Pvt. Ltd. in October 2022, expanding beyond spices to various products.
Sachchidanand, now the director of Sarvadev Agro Pvt. Ltd., rebuilt the company under Jagriti’s guidance. They established distributors in markets across Gorakhpur, Deoria, and Kushinagar, boosting product demand. Jagriti provided digital training, enabling Sachchidanand to manage company accounts via mobile apps, saving on accountant salaries. Workshops organized by Jagriti boosted his morale and connected him with other entrepreneurs, introducing new business strategies.
Entrepreneur Sachchidanand Shahi believes that patience and perseverance can solve even the greatest challenges. This principle guided him to success. With determination, he found support and trust in Jagriti and Abhay Pratap Singh. Learning from the losses of his first startup, he corrected his mistakes and made a fresh start. Now, he is preparing to invest ₹1.6 million in an oil mill, providing employment to 10 people, which will soon double.
Sachchidanand’s journey is a beacon of hope. His story underscores that with patience, resilience, and support, even the most challenging circumstances can be overcome. Jagriti’s trust and guidance have been instrumental in his success, showcasing that with unwavering determination, dreams can indeed take flight.
