At BrilliantRead Media, we always strive to bring meaningful and powerful stories from India and around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. As part of this endeavour, we invited Sharanya Eshwaran for an exclusive interview with us. She is an Entrepreneur, Leader and Founder of Pentad Education Private Limited. Let’s learn more about her incredible journey, her background, and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Sharanya:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
I’m from Mysuru, a place steeped in history and a relaxed lifestyle. My family has always been into business, from my grandparents down to my siblings. After getting my Master’s in Microbiology, I worked in that field for 7 years. But then, I wanted to start my own thing. So, I quit my job as a scientist and decided to dive into entrepreneurship.
I realized that I needed to know more about business, so I joined a program at IIM Indore. It totally changed how I saw things. Gave me a whole new perspective. Now, I’m using what I learned to give my business idea a fresh start. My journey shows how you can mix tradition with new ideas, and how taking risks can lead to something great.
How did you discover your passion?
When I stumbled into choosing the field for my business, I realized I had the skills for it. I remember a professor from my Master’s telling me I should be a teacher. At the time, I didn’t get why he said that. But as I started in the field, I found myself working through things easily and making learning fun for kids, while also improving their scores.
I wanted to make learning easier and more fun for kids, so I started searching for different methods. That’s when I stumbled upon the Multiple Intelligence theory. It was so fascinating that we tried it with every child, for every subject, and in every way possible. And you know what? It worked brilliantly.
Soon enough, both kids and teachers were having a blast, and learning became a joy. I remember one parent calling me during their holiday because their child was upset about missing our learning centre.
There was another child who cried on the first day, but after just three sessions, the parent couldn’t believe how eager the child was to come back. Our learning centre transformed into a place of pure fun.”
Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
The big difference between a leader and an ordinary person is having a vision. Knowing where you want to go is key.
When you have that vision in mind, where you are becomes just a temporary stop along the way. And when you see it like that, you won’t be let down because you know you won’t be there for long.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned in your life?
I live by two pieces of wisdom that have shaped my approach to life. The first, passed down from my grandmother, is to “never make enemies.” This has taught me two valuable lessons: first, to choose my battles wisely—I don’t feel the need to share every opinion or win every argument.
And second, from my professor, who said, “If you want to know how to do it, ask the person who did it. If you talk to the person who didn’t do it, you’ll learn what not to do, but only half the story.”
But perhaps the most significant lesson I’ve learned is to “Never let anyone define you.” If someone says you can’t do something, let them. If they say you don’t know how let them. If they doubt your capabilities, let them. Just keep doing what you’re doing, and let your actions speak for themselves.
In your opinion what are the keys to success?
The key to success boils down to a few core principles:
> Know yourself
> Have a clear vision
> Grow together with others
> Stay committed to your goals
> Believe in yourself
These fundamentals serve as guiding principles on the journey to achieving your aspirations.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
As an educationist, it’s heartbreaking to witness children not being able to pursue their dreams because their parents make career decisions for them. Statistics reveal that 86% of students choose their career paths under the pressure of parents or peers rather than considering their own abilities, skills, or passions.
Here are some guiding principles:
1) Choose based on passion: Select a field that ignites your passion and drives you forward.
2) Do your research: Investigate different courses, job opportunities, and salary prospects associated with your chosen field.
3) Support each other: Help your friends in navigating their career paths, have discussions, but avoid influencing each other’s decisions.
4) No… Work where you enjoy!: Seek environments where you enjoy the work, look forward to the challenges, and feel fulfilled.
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
As a teacher, there’s nothing quite like the “oh!” moment in class. It’s that instant when we’re discussing a concept, connecting the dots from the textbook to the real world, and suddenly, at least two kids will go “Ooh!… it’s like that!” It’s moments like these that make my day.
Now, I experience that same “oh!” moment when I talk to anyone about the Pentad Curriculum. It’s like seeing the lightbulb switch on, and that excitement is contagious.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
