Meet Sajan Abraham: he is the founder of Indian Raaste

 

Meet Sajan Abraham, he is the founder of Indian Raaste. After quitting his 18 years of job he started this venture with the vision to do something different.

Over the years I found people are spending a lot of money for just a STAY during their holidaying, while the stay is actually only used for an overnight sleep and to freshen up in the morning before venturing out to visit the places of interest they have come to visit. We got into Homestay to address this problem and have been very successful. Our Guests payless for stay get maximum benefit and use the saved money for a better purpose like travel, enjoying the local cuisine or shopping. So, in the end the guests can get maximum for their BUCK SPENT, says Sajan.

We at Bangalore Insider had the opportunity to catch up with Sajan, the founder of Indian Raaste and to know more about the startup, read his inspiring story.

 

 

Give brief info about your startup?

The concept of our company was designed keeping a two very important aspect in mind for our Guests. Pets and Stay Costs.

First; there are very few pet owners who venture out on a holiday with their pets. The main reason being there aren’t too many pet-friendly places to go to when it comes to traveling with their pets. so we came in and filled that void.

Second, MONEY SPENT ON HOLIDAYS STAYS. Over the years I found people are spending a lot of money for just a STAY during their holidaying, while the stay is actually only used for an overnight sleep and to freshen up in the morning before venturing out to visit the places of interest they have come to visit. We got into Homestay to address this problem and have been very successful. Our Guests payless for stay get maximum benefit and use the saved money for a better purpose like travel, enjoying the local cuisine or shopping. So, in the end the guests can get maximum for their BUCK SPENT.

 

What made you start your startup and what problem does it solve?

The basic idea and the concept behind setting up this Homestay was to accommodate guests with pets to travel without any inhibition about their pets safety and to address a change in people’s mindset of STAY pricing.  We have managed to change the conception that holidays stays can be very expensive and has to be done without pets.

 

Tell us about yourself, your previous jobs/ventures? What were you doing before this startup?

I am a media professional, who quit the media Industry after being in it for over 18 years as I wanted to do something different, something that would still connect me to people.

My last Job was working as a C.O.O. in a Media company in Iraq. As a media professional, I have worked for some of the best companies in India like The Hindujas, Raisoni Group, Ghodawat Group, Future Group, Seagram’s, Micromax, Manipal Education, Kerry Packer – Channel 9; Australia, BMI Airways; UK,  to name a few.

 

Where is your startup based out of? Why do you think that is the best place for you?

My startup is based in a town called Chalakudy in Trichur district of Kerala state. I feel it the best place that we are located because we happen to be in the center of all activities approachable for our guests.

 

As a startup founder, what are you paranoid about? What keeps you awake at night?

Nothing so far to be paranoid about.  What keeps me up at nights – check-ins… literally

 

Who are your competitions and how are you better than them?

There are a few of us around. But we are not really competitions with each other. We have a common goal and common agenda that we want to achieve together, so we really don’t try to be competitors. What makes us different from my counterparts is we are the only one that is Pet-friendly.

How hard is it to have a work-life balance as a startup founder and how do you manage it?

It’s very important to have a family life and work balance put together. The best way that I have chosen for a long time over the years is very simple; NO WORK SUNDAY… Sunday is a sure no work day and I make sure I spend time with kids and wife, meet friends, cook and read. I also travel as and when I can to various places to meet different people of different culture. These are my stress busters

 

Have you raised funding? If yes, then we would like to know the details. If no then please tell us if you are looking to raise?

No. I have not raised any funds and am not looking at raising any in the near future.

 

What’s the biggest misconception people have about you? Why do they have that? What’s the reality?

I don’t think people have any misconception about me in any way. So I really don’t know how to answer the question that you ask.  I know most of my friends, family, and acquaintances know about my reality through social media and in person, so there is nothing that I fear to hide.

 

What gets you excited about this company?

This company drives me to the edge to get out the best in me which is very challenging and interesting and every day is new learning.

 

Tell us how a day in your life looks like? Your schedule for a day right from the time you get up till you hit the bed at night.

That’s a trick question for me… Depends on which city I am in.  But yes, my morning coffee and news paper reading are constant. Apart from that, we have a small freelancing IDEA team that collaborates through video call twice in a week on new ideas, concepts, and Value-adding formula. The latest one being, introducing an Illuminated party area within our Homestay premise for guests.

 

Tell us about your team and how did you meet each other?

As I mentioned above it’s a self-funded venture and we really don’t have an outside team, the management and running are all managed by my parents, my wife a few staff members and a freelancing IDEA team.

 

 

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