Name: Ashutosh K. Gujarathi
Job Title & Company: CEO of “Gujarathi Empire Group”
Linkedin Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashutosh-g-5360b824/
About your professional journey
My professional Journey all started during my college time as part of the Global Shipping Industry as started my career as a B. Tech Marine Engineer in the Merchant Navy as a Trainee Marine Engineer onboard ships later in 2017 with my own transportation business family Gujarathi Empire Group as one of the India’s leading shipbroking and chartering firm today. Also, GE Group developed other ventures in Logistics / Road Transportation and Information Technology. Today for CSR Activity we have the Kumar Gujarathi Foundation which is working for deprived children for Food and Education. I Can say it’s full of ups and downs, a lot of surprises and challenges. The journey was of course very tough and full of daily new challenges so far today, but learning through mistakes and the outside world, a never-give-up attitude helps to survive.
How did you come to your current role/position?
Have family business of Road Transports since 1990 and can say proudly second generation of Transport business but the first generation for the rest of the businesses in shipping and IT. In the very early stage after my father’s sudden demise got responsible for the shoulder of my own transport business. Gradually by learning the facts and more deep knowledge of your own field which help to get confidence so you can lead the team not only in India but outside also.
Who has influenced you the most in life and why?
Of course from Family if you said my Mother is there to influence me and promote on my risk-taking attitude and her trust.In the outside world Ratan Tata and APJ Abdul Kalam Sir for their honesty, Integrity Sincerity, and dedication to their own work.
What are the biggest challenges you have faced in your life and how did you overcome them?
After education, it’s not easy to get onboard on the vessel as TME as a limited no of ships and a large pool of seafarers worldwide. so in the initial days was literally jobless and no money total financial crisis as no family backup because of my father’s demise, but somehow managed through that phase and got a chance on a small vessel through one of my contacts then after I had paved my way for senior rank in a big vessel.
Again when planned to focus fully on business with no steady income source and leave a secure kind of good figure job again took that challenge, and survived through that period and family, friends first opposed for same but then agreed on my decision and supported me. So but got good experience from all this that helps me to sail my boat in the future also. Now prefer always to stay in an uncomfortable zone for progress instead of getting comfortable and relaxed.
What lessons have you learned from your professional career?
All the above is well explained, Keep learning from senior members, see how others are facing situations, and take decisions in a calm manner. Problem solving attitude, get mixed up with different teams, and get work done as the leader so I am a student always. Keep doing your work with honesty and stay focused and hungry. Always try to give more than what they expected from you to see a better and bigger picture
What do you see as the biggest challenge for brands in the digital space?
See its not still that much awareness of digital space in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities though you have seen mobiles in the hands of each and everyone, so that is needed along with that we need wiser use of digital space which is a must in young generation as we believe every coin have two sides.
How your product/solution can help to resolve the pain points of your customers?
Our all business services, solutions, and products are B2B and make life easier of course. In shipping we are the service provider and trade facilitator so many complex solutions we are providing to our clients under one roof to make projects successful like vessel procurement in Budget, Commodity Procurement, and other consultations etc
In IT products Fleetezy which we are about to launch is helping and covering the pain points of small-scale transporters to manage their business organize cashflow and trips, and kind of back office administration very easy to use also the Group has other projects in the Pipeline.
What do you do in your free time?
Reading books has its own huge collection of libraries, especially self-improvement and business management. also as of now goal is to keep myself fit so focus on increasing gym hours in my free time. Also, fond of cricket and trekking and forts exploring have done more than 100 forts from Maharashtra.
Do you have any advice for those who want to be an entrepreneur/chief officer?
Yes Have to keep patience, possible things won’t favor us on our side sometimes and we have to show up daily ourselves to work without feeling demotivated and down, and despite problems have to focus on our goals and have to give the best of us always. Once you get one level in business maintaining the same is more difficult than getting the same .so have to be on the ground As you said keep learning and keep improving daily.
Read More:
Most Dynamic Female Founder of an EdTech Startup in India – 2023
