I am Parvej Alam, born on June 29, 1997, in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. My story begins in a humble household of eight, where my father worked as a laborer in a leather factory. Life in a lower-class family was tough, but it planted the seeds of resilience and ambition in me.

As the middle sibling, I learned early that dreams required hard work. I studied at JPRN Amar Inter College, a government school, before pursuing commerce at Harjinder Nagar Inter College. Later, I graduated from DAV College, Kanpur. But financial hardships meant I couldn’t solely focus on my studies.

At just 15, I began working in small factories to support my family, earning 80 rupees a day. During summer holidays, I worked full-time in leather factories, juggling work and education. These early experiences shaped my work ethic and introduced me to the world of leather—a foundation I didn’t know would later define my career.

Dreaming Big: The First Steps

After high school, I dreamed of a stable job in the banking sector. Without any professional guidance or references, I relied on determination. To fund my job search, I worked in factories, saving 200 rupees a day and giving most of it to my family. This cycle of work, save, and job hunt repeated several times.

Finally, my persistence paid off. I landed a job at Home Credit India, earning 6500 rupees a month. For 1 year and 10 months, I gave my best, achieving targets and avoiding mistakes. However, a minor issue—eating lunch without wearing my ID card—led to my termination. It was devastating, but I didn’t let it break me.

Soon after, I joined HDFC Bank as a Relationship Officer. For a year, I honed my skills in customer relations and financial services. But even with this success, I felt unfulfilled. I wanted to create something of my own, something meaningful.

The Leap into Entrepreneurship

A stint abroad marked a turning point in my life. During this time, I started watching YouTube videos about business and self-development, which inspired me to take the entrepreneurial leap. When I returned to India, I noticed gaps in the leather market and decided to act on my ideas.

In December 2021, I teamed up with two skilled friends and launched a leather manufacturing business. One of my partners had over eight years of experience in production, while the other specialized in handmade belts. Despite having no capital, I relied on my credit card to fund the business.

Our first order came after four months, but as beginners, we lacked focus and mentorship. We tried to make everything—belts, bags, shoes, and wallets—spreading ourselves too thin. Still, this phase taught us valuable lessons.

Challenges and Setbacks

In February 2022, we received a large export order alongside a domestic raw leather order. Excited about the opportunity, we worked tirelessly. However, a misunderstanding with the buyer about the raw leather order’s requirements delayed payments. Meanwhile, one of my partners—the backbone of our manufacturing—left abruptly to move abroad. His departure disrupted everything.

I felt betrayed, but I pushed forward. With limited resources, we fulfilled the export order, working long hours with minimal expenses—often as low as 50–100 rupees a day. We operated from my home, storing samples and products in my room. During this period, our business registration was canceled, and our website crashed due to non-payment.

The Turning Point

Despite the setbacks, we refused to give up. In August 2024, we registered the business again, and by December 2024, we launched a new website. This time, we focused on doing fewer things but doing them well. We minimized expenses, improved efficiency, and rebuilt from the ground up.

The Vision: Competing with Giants

Today, I run a company built from scratch, without money, connections, or formal expertise. My mission is to establish a strong digital presence and elevate Indian leather manufacturing to compete with global giants like China.

I want to produce high-quality leather goods at competitive prices, proving that India can lead in craftsmanship and innovation. My journey from factory laborer to CEO is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and relentless determination.

Through every setback, I learned to keep moving forward, one step at a time. From Factory to CEO is not just my story—it’s proof that with hard work and vision, anything is possible.

And this is just the beginning.