Navigating Turbulent Times
Lessons from an Entrepreneur’s Journey

The path to entrepreneurial success is rarely a straight line. There are inevitable highs and lows, especially during economic uncertainty. In this article, we'll explore the inspirational journey of Rajesh Tedla, an immigrant who came to the US in 1989 with only $1,724 and went on to build a successful management consultancy focused on entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Raj's entrepreneurial aspirations were sparked when he learned how his grandfather, once among the wealthiest men in his Indian village, lost almost all the family riches within a generation due to mismanagement. Raj was determined not to repeat those mistakes. After getting his degrees in the US, Raj joined GE and rose the ranks over 12+ years to a senior executive role. However, he never lost sight of his goal to start his own business one day.

So in 2008, amidst a recession, Raj took the leap of faith and co-founded a consultancy focused on helping small businesses. The early years were filled with challenges. His business partner passed away unexpectedly, his father and close friend died, and the recession deepened. Many prospective clients froze spending. For five tough years, Raj persevered by constantly learning, pivoting his offerings, targeting new industries like government contractors, and honing his skills in sales and communication.

Gradually, he built credibility and relationships. By 2013, his consultancy was thriving. To date, Raj has helped clients generate over $430 million in value. Here are five key lessons from his journey: