Ever felt like the odds were stacked against you? Meet Sagar Rai, a guy who turned personal challenges into his greatest strength. Picture this: a young man battling asthma, constantly moving around with his paramilitary family, with zero business background – and yet, he created something extraordinary.
Sagar’s dream wasn’t born in a fancy boardroom. It started on sports fields, where he competed nationally 45 times despite his health challenges and won numerous medals. His passion for sports ran deep, but his father posed a tough question: “Sports will get you respect, but where will you get the bread for your family?”
Initially, he planned to follow the path of legendary athletes like Milkha Singh and Neeraj Chopra by joining defense services and pursue sports as a career from there. But on the placement day of his college, he had a moment of epiphany. He asked himself three simple questions about his passion for sports: Why, What, and How. Then he walked out with an inner clarity rarely found and made his commitment real by telling his dumbstruck friend outside that “Agle saal meri company lagunga yaha, usmein apply kario.” With newfound confidence, he started with only his pocket money, no massive funding, and no family business backing, Sagar built KIBI Sports. His journey was fueled by pure grit and an unwavering belief in his vision.
His teachings for aspiring entrepreneurs are simple yet powerful:
– “Ideas have no value, execution is everything.” Discuss your ideas with everyone, from the morning rickshaw puller to venture capitalists. Learn to listen and incorporate feedback that feels right.
– Get into the market first and develop “tech” simultaneously. Even if it means starting with manufacturing when your ultimate goal is a digital platform. This builds a financial foundation and industry network that helps to self-sustain. When one achieves this, funds will come running themselves.
Today, KIBI Sports isn’t just a business. It’s a platform that connects athletes, brands, and academies. And Sagar? He’s not just a founder. He’s a catalyst for change in the sports industry, bridging gaps and creating opportunities he wished he had during his journey.
To every startup founder reading this: Remember that your background doesn’t define your future. Your passion, persistence, and willingness to adapt do.