UnsaidTalks - Journey from Idea to Startup

Summary

In this engaging session, Ragav Choudary, a passionate entrepreneur and founder of unet talks.com, shares his journey and insights from his six years of experience post-graduation. Ragav, an alumnus of EC 2017, discusses the inception and growth of unet talks, a platform designed to provide placement resources and mentorship for students. He emphasizes the importance of execution over ideas, self-awareness, and the significance of building a strong network. Ragav also imparts valuable lessons on entrepreneurship, encouraging students to take the first step in their entrepreneurial journey by focusing on their 'why' and disassociating from societal expectations. The session concludes with an interactive Q&A, providing students with a wealth of knowledge and motivation.

Takeaways

• 😀 The session's presenter, Ragav Choa, is an entrepreneur and founder of Unset Talks, a platform aimed at providing placement resources and mentorship for students.
• 🎓 Ragav was a bright and proactive student during his time at college, always eager to learn and take initiatives in organizing activities and learning new skills.
• 💼 He has professional experience working in both multinational corporations (MNCs) and startups in various roles such as data analyst, business analyst, and software developer.
• 🤝 Unset Talks started with a simple idea to guide and mentor juniors by sharing interview experiences and has since grown to include a mentorship program and an AI chatbot tool.
• 📈 The platform has successfully collected over 800 interview experiences from graduates across eight colleges, providing valuable insights for students preparing for placements.
• 🛠️ Ragav emphasizes that ideas are worthless unless executed, and the focus should be on taking the first step and improving upon existing ideas rather than seeking innovation from the start.
• 🔍 He advises to answer one's own 'why' for becoming an entrepreneur, ensuring it comes from an innate desire rather than societal expectations or pressure.
• 📊 Ragav stresses the importance of disassociating from society's expectations and comparing oneself only with one's past self to measure growth and progress.
• 💡 Selling skills are as important as building skills for an entrepreneur, and one should be prepared to sell their ideas, products, and beliefs to various stakeholders.
• 💪 The 10x Rule is highlighted as a key principle for success, suggesting that one should put in 10 times the effort to increase the chances of success and luck.
• 🤝 Lastly, Ragav points out that networking is crucial for an entrepreneur's success, and he encourages building relationships with industry professionals and mentors.

Q & A

What is the purpose of Unset Talks according to Ragav Choudary?

Unset Talks is a platform created to guide and mentor juniors by bridging the gap between them and their seniors as well as industry professionals. It aims to provide placement resources and help students as per company needs, job profile requirements, and college needs.

How did Ragav Choudary's journey with Unset Talks begin?

Ragav Choudary started Unset Talks after passing out from college in 2017 with a simple blog post about his experience of cracking the first interview with EXL analytics. The positive response he received from his juniors led him to collect interview experiences from his friends and post them online, which eventually grew into the Unset Talks platform.

What is the significance of the interview experiences collected on Unset Talks?

The interview experiences collected on Unset Talks are significant because they provide personal insights and firsthand accounts from students who have successfully cracked interviews. This data is useful for juniors to understand the interview process, preparation strategies, and what to expect during campus placements.

How has Unset Talks evolved over the years?

Unset Talks has evolved from a simple blog to a platform that now includes interview experiences from eight colleges, an AI chatbot tool for quick information, a mentorship program (UMP) for detailed guidance, and a free program (UIP) that connects students with their seniors for interviews.

What is the role of the AI chatbot tool on Unset Talks?

The AI chatbot tool on Unset Talks is designed to provide quick and accessible information to students. It allows students to chat with the bot on platforms like WhatsApp, ask for tips and advice on interview preparation, and receive responses based on the extensive data collected on the website.

What is the mentorship program (UMP) on Unset Talks and how does it benefit students?

The mentorship program (UMP) on Unset Talks is a training initiative provided by industry professionals who are alumni from various colleges. These mentors give live sessions to train engineering students on how to crack interviews, share their experiences, and guide them through their preparation, making the learning process more focused and effective.

What are some of the key lessons Ragav Choudary learned during his entrepreneurial journey that he shared in the session?

Ragav Choudary shared five impactful lessons: the importance of execution over ideas, answering one's own 'why' for entrepreneurship, disassociating from society's expectations, learning to sell, and the significance of effort in achieving success.

Why did Ragav emphasize the importance of execution over ideas during the session?

Ragav emphasized the importance of execution over ideas because ideas alone are worthless unless acted upon. He believes that even simple ideas can be successful if executed well, and that innovation can come from iterating and improving upon existing ideas.

What does Ragav mean by 'answering your own why' in the context of entrepreneurship?

By 'answering your own why', Ragav means that entrepreneurs should have a clear and personal reason for pursuing entrepreneurship that comes from within, rather than being driven by societal expectations or external pressures.

How does Ragav define the importance of disassociating from society's expectations in one's entrepreneurial journey?

Ragav defines the importance of disassociating from society's expectations as crucial for maintaining a unique path and avoiding unnecessary comparisons. He suggests that entrepreneurs should focus on their own growth and progress, rather than measuring themselves against others' success.

What advice does Ragav give about learning to sell as part of the entrepreneurial journey?

Ragav advises that learning to sell is as important as building a product or service. He suggests that entrepreneurs need to sell their ideas, beliefs, and products effectively to various stakeholders, and that this skill is essential for business success.

What is the significance of effort according to Ragav's entrepreneurial lessons?

According to Ragav, effort is significant because it is within an individual's control and directly impacts the chances of success. He suggests that by putting in more effort, one can increase their chances of getting lucky and achieving their goals.