His life and journey are built on
3 simple principles...
Focus gives you Success Frugality brings in Prosperity Discipline sustains Success
The Journey...
Childhood...
Born at Appanaickenpatti Pudur, a small Village in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, South India. He had 3 Siblings, 2 Brothers and a Sister. Growing up in Village gave him the opportunity to live life with low resources, face intimidating challenges and understand life from the bottom of the Pyramid. Being a Son of a landless farmer, education was very essential for him to change the financial situation of the family. He studied at Sri Venkateshwara High School and graduated with a Bachelors in Chemistry from Sri Ramakrishna Vidyalaya of Coimbatore (Madras University), in 1978.
Unemployed and Under-employed...
As a Fresh Graduate, he faced many interviews to find out all want only experienced.
Finally I secured a job at Gemini Capsules, a private firm in Sundarapuram, Coimbatore. He got Rs. 150 per month in 1978 and worked for 4 years. From his village it was one way 3 hrs to work place and he did it patiently for 4 yrs. Fortunately that company also got shut down.
Became unemployed again and started again job search.
Fortunately he got, after a lot of struggle, a central government job as a Scientific Assistant in Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (B.A.R.C), Mumbai in 1982.
The Journey...
Childhood
I was born in 1959 at Appanaickenpatti Pudur, a small Village in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, South India. I had 3 Siblings, 2 Brothers and a Sister. Growing up in a Village gave me the opportunity to operate on low resources, face intimidating challenges and understand India from the bottom of the Pyramid. Being a Son of a landless farmer, education was very motivating to me to change the situation of the family. I graduated with a Bachelors in Chemistry from Madras University, in 1978.
Find a Job..
I was born in 1959 at Appanaickenpatti Pudur, a small Village in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, South India. I had 3 Siblings, 2 Brothers and a Sister. Growing up in a Village gave me the opportunity to operate on low resources, face intimidating challenges and understand India from the bottom of the Pyramid. Being a Son of a landless farmer, education was very motivating to me to change the situation of the family. I graduated with a Bachelors in Chemistry from Madras University, in 1978.
Finding a Govt. Job..
Finally, I secured a job at a private company where I worked for 4 years, with a pay not at par with my education and work. I continued to search for a job that I could plan my family’s future with. My focus and determination got me selected and appointed for the coveted government job as a Research Assistant in Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (B.A.R.C), Mumbai in 1983. A big feat for me, my family and my Village. I was the first one from the Village to go to Mumbai!
My parents didn’t know how to support my education and goals, but they never imposed social or emotional limitations on us. That freedom helped me make a decision to go to Mumbai. I knew that would change the complexion of my family's economic status and pave the way for my siblings to think big.
Settling in Life....
Being an immigrant, my survival needs kept me too focused on my job and educating myself for every potential growth possible. That compounded my knowledge, focus, savings and skills. To supplement my income I even took up different part-time jobs including tuition classes. It helped me understand, teaching is the best way to learn deeply.
I also found another anchor in Mumbai, when I got a proposal to Marry my Wife, Sumathi. She grew to become a great partner, leader for the family and the stabilizing force of my life. She strengthened my foundation in Mumbai and became another reason to keep building the life I set out from my Village to. I had two children, Anand and Amruta, who completed our family.
I was offered the opportunity to pursue MSc Biochemistry and PhD in Thyroid Biochemistry from Mumbai University, while still working as a Research Scientist in BARC by BARC. That chiselled my professional personality to a great extent.
The “Touchwood” perfect life! The “Settled in life” goal seemed fulfilled with a Government Job, Family and a Life in the biggest city of the country, Mumbai. The Village Boy survived! But I didn’t feel that way and made me think, have I come to Survive or Win?
Settling in job and Life
Being an immigrant, he started learning Hindi and Marathi. Being a non biological science graduate, he had to learn biology and biochemistry too. To supplement his income for his family needs he even took up different part time jobs including milk vending, paper vending and tuition classes. It helped him understand, city, life, languages and time management.
He finally found a true anchor in Mumbai and in life, when he got a proposal to marry a SBI employee Sumathi. Though reluctant, delayed for 4 yrs, he finally married her in 1986. She grew to become a great partner, leader for the family and the stabilizing force of his life. She strengthened his values, beliefs, income and journey in Mumbai.
He was offered the opportunity to pursue MSc Biochemistry and PhD in Thyroid Biochemistry from Mumbai University, while still working as a Research Scientist in BARC by BARC. He is grateful to Dr KB Desai and Dr AM Samuel for that, which chiseled him to be Scientist and improved his professional personality to a great extent.
The “Touchwood” perfect life! The “Settled in life” goal seemed fulfilled with Government Job, Family and a Life in the biggest city of the country, Mumbai. The Village Boy survived! But he didn’t feel that way and made him to think in 1995, have I come to Survive or Lead?
The Entrepreneurial Journey
Initial Stage
That is when he ventured into Thyrocare, a brand around gland. Since his knowledge about Thyroid (because of his PhD) was deep in Thyroid and only Thyroid, he chose to focus only on Thyroid. It worked very well and rapidly in Mumbai, he was motivated by its growth in Mumbai and tried to Scale it to western India and then to entire India to become a brand that covered every metro, airport connected cities, district head quarters and finally to taluk head quarters also. Thus he build a single laboratory in Mumbai that catered to the needs of 1.4 Billion Indians. A nationwide, networked and accredited laboratory, with better quality and lesser price points.
In entire world india is cheapest in healthcare and in entire india he was the cheapest. Yet he produced a consistent 40% profits for 25 long years. Also in had a growth that surprised its competitor with a compounding at an annual of 25% growth rate (CAGR) for entire 25 years journey. Thyrocare Thus became one of the most disruptive models the industry had seen in terms of price, logistics, manpower and reach.
The Turning Points
In 2016, he did it. It was an experience of life which every entrepreneur dreams about - Listing in Stock exchange using an IPO. A boy from a small Village, he listed his company at the National Stock Exchange in May 2016 with a record 74 times over subscription. Also got listed at a half a Billion USD market cap. But in the same year, he also lost his back bone, his life partner, Sumathi to cancer which made him lose the thrill, the direction, the fun. He enjoyed the journey with her walking by his side in every step he took for 30 years.
The Happy Ending
So In 2021, amidst COVID when he got an opportunity to exit, he took the difficult decision to move on while the company reached the coveted unicorn (1B$) status. It was a beautiful moment to reflect on the journey that began with Rs. 500 in pocket filled with impact, creation and service to a country with a billion population. He says “I found my happy ending and a glorious one”!
The Entrepreneurial Journey
That is when I ventured into Thyrocare, a brand around gland. Since my knowledge was deep in Thyroid and only Thyroid, I chose to become a B2B operator for Laboratories. It worked very well and rapidly in Mumbai, I was motivated to Scale beyond one city and that is how we started building a nationwide, networked and accredited laboratory.
On the backbone of High Trained Freshers, Franchise Networked Laboratory and Technology fuelled system and an intelligent choice of Menu, helped us sustain a 40% EBITDA every single year, compounding at an annual of 25% growth rate, throughout. Thyrocare became one of the most disruptive models the industry had seen in terms of price, logistics, manpower and reach.
The Turning Points
In 2016, I experienced the highest point of my life and lowest point of my journey. First was a Man from Village, I listed my company at the National Stock Exchange in May 2016 with a record 74 times over subscription. But in the same year, I also lost my life partner, Sumathi to cancer which made me lose the thrill. I enjoyed the journey with her walking by my side. Though the company continued its mission and growth, deep down I wanted to explore more.
The Happy Ending
So In 2021, amidst COVID when I got an opportunity to exit, I took the difficult decision to move on while the company reached the coveted unicorn status. It was a beautiful moment to reflect on the journey that began with Rs. 500 in pocket filled with impact, creation and service to a country with a billion population. I found my happy ending and a glorious one!
Life and journey dedicated to
Mrs. Sumathi Velumani.
About Mrs. Sumathi Velumani:
Sumathi with her roots from Kumbakonam , Tamil Nadu was born in Cochin in 1960. Raised in Mumbai, a graduate in chemistry, worked for BARC and then State Bank of India. He thought a village boy and city girl may not make a good match. So he refused. But her parents persuaded relentlessly and finally he agreed. That reluctant and 4 yr delayed decision proved to be the best decision of his life.
With shared values of Frugality, Focus and Family, the journey became enriched and fulfilling with each passing year. She was hs backbone in family and business. He says, “From age of 11 to 27, the year I got married I was the head of my family. Then she took charge and ensured all in the family moved ahead secure and strong. She never slept before me and also never got up after me.
When I risked a government job, even without discussing it with her, to start my business, she sacrificed her identity and focused on my success and happiness. Though she could not accompany me for ringing the bell in National Stock Exchange (IPO) she was the one who
1. Made me to MSc and PhD.
2. Made me Scientist, entrepreneur and storyteller.
3. Taught me Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati
4. Brought up our two children, frugal and powerful when I did not devote time.
5. She was my Ambassador and biggest fan.
Unfortunately she was a victim of pancreatic cancer and abruptly left me in February 2016. She is the reason for me to enter into entrepreneurship and exit also. We lived for a 30 year life of highest intensity.”
