When did you first
realize that you wanted to be a writer/ a storyteller?
Before I launched GoliVadaPav in 2004, I was a corporate
finance professional helping businessmen and entrepreneurs to raise funds from
institutions. Whenever, I pitched a company or a business to financers, I
always narrated the story behind the brand and what they are trying to accomplish.
My friend and also the co-founder of GoliVadaPav, ShivdasMenon, would take care
of the hard facts and numbers. My point being that I have always been a
storyteller of brands, entrepreneurs and their journeys. The idea behind
documenting Goli’s journey is to connect with entrepreneurs out there who have
lived through doubtful moments or are going through a difficult phase in their
business or even waiting to start their business – That if I can do it, so can you.
What motivates you to
write and where does your inspiration come from?
My motivation and inspiration comes from the fact that our
business model has managed to create many entrepreneurs in the process. More
than 300 franchise partners are Golipreneurs who have made the brand ‘Goli’
stronger with every passing day.
How did you come up
with the idea for your current story?
The idea was in the works for quite some time because I
always wanted to document my journey for others to know that breaking away from
the beaten path never gets easier and that is no reason for anyone to not to do
it over and over again.
Why did you choose to
write in your particular field or genre? If you write more than one, how do you
balance them?
Every author’s work is inspired from the fact as to how best
he can communicate his story –fictionally or non-fictionally. This book “My
Journey with VadaPav” is basically a documentation of my journey using ‘Vadapav’
as a metaphor to throw light on how our Swadeshi items are no less a product that
can be made in to a ‘brand’ in the global market.
What opportunities
have being an author presented you with and share those memories? (i.e. travel,
friends, events, speaking, etc...)
In addition to being a full time entrepreneur, I have been
invited in the past to talk about my journey with budding entrepreneurs and management
students by some of elite colleges in India and internationally like Harvard,
IMD Switzerland, ISB Hyderabad, SP Jain, Welingkar, and Symbiosis etc. Ever
since the book came out, I have been inundated with more such speaking opportunities
even in certain Corporates who want me to engage with their employees on many
aspects of running a business operation. Mercifully, I have been able to
balance my first priority – running GoliVadapav – and speaking opportunities.
Interestingly, I believe I have evolved into a motivational speaker post the
book launch.
What field or genre would
you classify your book(s) and what attracted you to write in that field or
genre?
This book is for entrepreneurs who want to start a company;
it is a story of my entrepreneurial journey. So as a genre, it is a
storytelling of a business book, which can also act as a handbook for launching
a business.
What do you do if
inspiration strikes in an inconvenient place like (car, restaurant,
bathroom/shower, etc..) and how do you capture that moment before it gets away
from you?
Thank god for smartphones. I have a habit of keeping notes
in my phone and you are right, the best of the idea comes to you in the most
inconvenient place or situation.
How do you think you
have evolved as a person/author because of your writing and do you believe your
writing has helped others, how/why?
I would like to believe that ‘My Journey with Vadapav’ would
inspire and give a motivational support to many entrepreneurs who are either
running a business or working on a plan to launch one.
Do you believe there
is value in a review? Do you believe they are under rated, over rated, or don’t
matter at all?
Book reviews are an important part for any author worth his
salt. A well-captured book review can help readers decide which book to pick or
miss. It will be unfair to label them as under rated or over rated. The fact is
that book reviews help rate an author’s work.
What is your biggest
fear about having a book published?
That no one may want to read it. But then the readers and
the community have been kind and words of appreciation have been flowing ever
since the book came out.
What is the intended
audience for you book?
Entrepreneurs, consumers, students – who ever loves a good
courageous story.
Give us a fun fact
about your book(s).
The fun fact is that this book is relatable to each and
every budding entrepreneur – be it the cutting chaiwalah or your area’s famous
Kachoriwalah – it is tale that will make you question the set norms of Indian
food industry, break your myths and inspire you to see your worth and
how to take seeminglysmallest of the business nationally and even globally.
If you had the chance
to get one message out there to reach readers all over the world, what would
that message be?
Doesn’t matter how busy your day is, always find time to
read and do pick your copy of ‘My Journey with Vadapav.’
What makes a good
story, why?
The story-telling technique and off course a solid plot.
Because if a purpose to story-telling is missing then you will lose your
reader, who is anyway short on time with so many other things demanding his
attention.
Do you read your
reviews? Do you respond to them, good or bad? Do you have any advice on how to
deal with the bad?
Yes, I have read a few reviews, which have been published or
communicated to me. So far they have all been very positive. But one should
always be prepared to take a not so pleasant review in their stride.
What are the most
important elements of good writing? According to you, what tools are must-haves
for writers?
A good editor and a publishing house that can put their
trust in you are 2 most important things for an author to have a good quality
product. My Journey with Vadapav wouldn’t have been possible without
unconditional support of Sheryl Dixit, editor of the book. She dedicated
herself to keep the story tight, made herself available full time for helping
me do the changes, sometimes all over again and just being there as a patient
listener and integrating my ideas and adapting to my narrating style.
Do you view writing
as a career, labor of love, hobby, creative outlet, therapy, or something else?
My Journey with Vadapav is without a doubt a labor of love.
What are the
advantages/disadvantages of self or traditional publishing?
Being backed by a media conglomerate like Network 18, there
can only be advantages to publishing a book. The team at Network 18 extended
their entire support in making this book a reality. Their support continues and
it has resulted in selling more than expected number of copies.
What makes your book
stand out from the crowd?
Apart from a beautiful cover design, the storyline of the
making a street food a pan India product, ability to transition an unorganized
sector format into an organized set up with investors, board of directors,
auditors on board.
What is your favorite
scene in the book? Why?
My personal favorite scene is when we had to start from the
scratch all over and approach the financial markets but we were surrounded with
biggest of financial crisis in the world. However, it was the most difficult
phase of my real life, but while writing this book and reminiscing the time of
overcoming this obstacle successfully is most certainly closest to my heart. It
inspires me over and over again that I’m capable of rebuilding myself.
Do you read? Who are
your favourite authors and how have they influenced your writing style?
Two authors have inspired me a great deal. My all time
favourite is Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist and Richard Bach’s Jonathan
Livingston Seagull. They have inspired my thought process. Their books dare
readers to have a dream and go all out to achieve it. Something similar
happened in my case.
What is the best
piece of advice you have received, as a writer, till date?
It’s more of an inspiration. Whether inside of a corporate
boardroom or engaging with an audience as a speaker, I have always spoken from
my heart. And that has been appreciated every time.
What is the best
piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
Believe in your story. And the words will flow in your
thoughts to express it in best possible manner.
