“Life will only change when you become more committed to your dreams than you are to your comfort zone.”

A dream, which is worked towards, can be rewarding in a way that other pursuits may not. This passion can often lead to a complete change in one’s career trajectory. Santosh Mahankali is one such entrepreneur. Despite being a qualified electrical engineer, and with a career in banking spanning 7 years, Santosh decided to pursue his dream and set up an interior designing company — Mahaa Infraa Solutions in Hyderabad.

Santosh did not make this journey alone. Based in Hyderabad, he had the support of his family and relatives both financially and emotionally. In his own words, his wife played a crucial role in setting him on this path. Seven years down the line he has executed projects for large corporates providing solutions for better living.

In conversation with GlobalLinker (GL) Santosh Mahankali (SM) shares his entrepreneurial journey.

GL: Tell us about your business.

SM: We at Mahaa Infraa Solutions specialise in interior designing and concept planning. We have been serving clients across industries and the corporate sector for the last five years for all types of projects. Essentially, our business is into turnkey interior works and civil works for all commercial spaces, residences, corporates and industries. It was my dream and passion to be a versatile interior designer who could create ideas for better living.

I studied electrical engineering and then worked as a banker for 7 years before realising that this was not my passion. I had a creative bent of mind and I was not happy with just any desk job. However, I persisted with it for 7 years to gain some semblance of financial stability before I could embark on my entrepreneurial venture to become an interior designer - something I was truly passionate about.

GL: What are the challenges you have faced in establishing your business?

SM: The main challenge was finding the investment to set up the business.  But the support of my family and close relatives helped me realise my dream. The most important person in my journey is my wife who has always given me support morally and financially. I had always wanted to leave my job working in a bank to embark on a creative venture but taking the step was not easy. As I said, it involved a lot of support from my family and wife especially - it involved courage on my part.

GL: Do you believe that the ‘ease of doing business’ in India has improved?

SM: Yes, ease of doing business has been improved 100 times from what it was earlier.

GL: What is the USP of your business?

SM: Our focus is on the quality of work we deliver.

GL: What are some of the milestones of your business?

SM: Mahaa Infraa since its inception has been successful in acquiring business and executing projects for prestigious corporates like J K Fenner India Ltd., Flipkart India Pvt. Ltd., Pearson Group, SBI Life, etc.

GL: What role do you feel GlobalLinker plays in connecting & assisting SMEs?

SM: GlobalLinker definitely plays a great role in connecting and assisting SMEs. With work-life being so busy, one does not have much time to be updated with developments in the industry and economy. GlobalLinker provides the necessary information. Also, it helps new entrepreneurs in setting up their business without any hassles.

GL: What is your big business dream?

SM: I want to set up a modular furniture factory which will be a unique concept in the market.   

GL: What is your message to aspiring entrepreneurs?

SM: One should have guts to dare to live their dream.

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views, official policy or position of GlobalLinker.