"Beyond Business: A Journey Fuelled by Faith and Spiritualism" – by Ritchie R Nanda

Spiritualism and faith is everything

Let me share my entrepreneurial journey with you. I spent the last 37 years building an organization I truly loved.

 

From the early founding days in 1993 when I had no money in my pocket, to slowly and steadily hiring my first employee, to winning my first security contract with Shangrilla Biscuits in Thane, India, to winning our first award (Udyog Ratan Award), to buying our first business called Guardwell Detectives in Bengaluru India, to then raising oru first £2 Million from Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, to buying a £50 Million security company in London, UK in 2007 and then finally losing it all due to my unfortunate circumstances, and my karma, my life has come the full 360 degree circle. The process of entrepreneurship changed me emotionally and spiritually.

 

When my business and life collapsed in 2019, I was unfairly treated to rejection and humiliation, and those same people who I trusted, and depended on, and even those whom I grew up and knew for 2-3 decades, started misjudging me and neglecting me. It bloody hurt. I soon realised the adage that “Everyone is here for the party. When times are good, everyone is by your side – praising you, partying, and reveling with you. But when times are bad, and you are sinking into the abyss, only your immediate family and your bond with your God survives”. No one stands for you! No one! Your besties, your mates, your friends, your well-wishers suddenly have no time for you. These people who stood in lines for hours waiting to get to my birthday parties in Mumbai and London did not have 5 minutes to answer my phone, speak to me, and ask me how I was! As life went on, I faced some very tough times, and only because of my newfound faith in God and the support of my wife and family, I was able to survive the ordeal. My story is not just about business success and failure; it's about something deeper.

 

As I shared my true story with my friends and other founders who had been through this same journey as me, and as I listened to their stories, I realised that we entrepreneurs share a common bond of success, failure, and finding our spiritual self from the hardships that we have and continue facing. Building and sustaining a successful business is an extremely complex and challenging endeavour, one that requires not only a great idea and robust execution strategy but also a strong personal mindset. Among the many qualities entrepreneurs need to cultivate, faith and belief in God are frequently overlooked. However, faith can be an incredibly powerful tool in an entrepreneur’s life. Let’s explore why faith is so important.

 

First and foremost, faith provides an entrepreneur with a sense of certainty and assurance. When embarking on a new venture, or entering into newer businesses or territories, there’s a considerable amount of uncertainty. The future of the business is unknown, and success is not guaranteed. However, faith and belief in God can provide an entrepreneur with the belief that regardless of the obstacles they encounter, they will succeed. This sense of certainty makes it easier for entrepreneurs to take the risks required to get their venture off the ground.

 

Another reason why faith is essential for entrepreneurs is that it offers a source of motivation. Entrepreneurs often face setbacks and challenges that can be very disheartening. However, faith can act as a beacon of hope during such challenging times, motivating the entrepreneur to keep going. Faith also fosters resilience. Every entrepreneur knows the feeling of hitting a roadblock or facing a setback. It’s not an easy experience, but faith and spiritualism can help entrepreneurs bounce back, like it helped me. When one believes that success is eventually attainable despite the setbacks, they are less likely to give up and more likely to learn from their mistakes and come back stronger. Interestingly, research shows that entrepreneurs pray several times a week, on average. This indicates that many entrepreneurs find solace and strength in their beliefs, which helps to keep their spirits high and motivation levels up. By balancing spiritualism and business, entrepreneurs can build businesses that are not just financially successful, but also personally fulfilling.

 

So yes, spiritualism does play a significant role in shaping an entrepreneur’s journey, as it fuels positivity, perseverance, and ultimately, success. By holding the hand of God almighty and getting more deeply connected with him, an entrepreneur can survive the worst of storms just like I did. I am a Hindu, and my staunch belief in Lord Krishna and the followings of the ancient scripture, Bhagavad Gita where Lord Krishna spoke in his own words, changed my outlook on life. Lord Krishna supported my family and me, guided me, and held my hand when the whole world deserted me. 

 

So, how exactly does spiritualism merge with the world of business and entrepreneurship? Let’s delve deeper into the unique relationship between spiritualism and work through the perspective of an entrepreneur. First off, faith and spiritualism provide a reliable and enduring foundation upon which entrepreneurs can build their ventures. When the road becomes tough, as it often does in the volatile start-up world, your belief and faith in God offer a consistent source of comfort and guidance. Rather, it’s an assertion that faith, in its diverse forms, can play a significant role in shaping the entrepreneurial journey. Interestingly, faith for entrepreneurs is highly individualized. It’s not always about prescribed prayers or specific rituals. It could be a meditation practice, faith in a higher power, or even faith in oneself and one’s abilities. That’s the intriguing intersection where faith and work meld. It’s a nuanced and deeply personal space where an entrepreneur’s spiritual beliefs and business ambitions meet. It’s a place where faith is not just a personal pursuit but an influential factor that shapes how business is conducted.

 

As we see, faith, spiritualism, and entrepreneurship can coexist harmoniously where our spiritual beliefs serve as a compass guiding our business practices. It’s a blend of perseverance, optimism, and integrity that molds our entrepreneurial journey, bringing an added layer of meaning to our work. Knowing this, we can begin to appreciate the unique relationship between faith and work that exists, especially among entrepreneurs. Being an entrepreneur is a role that demands constant pivoting, resilience, and creativity, all traits that can be bolstered by a strong belief system. Whether it acts as a source of solace during low points or as a guide to ethical decision-making, faith, spiritualism and belief in your God is a potent tool in an entrepreneur’s arsenal. 

 

Our work forms us and deforms us. We might ask ourselves: How might a relationship with God influence the emotional and spiritual journeys of entrepreneurs? Secondly, What practices might help entrepreneurs lead more emotionally and spiritually healthy work lives? My story is proof that being an entrepreneur is not just about making money. It's a journey that transforms you, where your beliefs become a guide. The mix of faith and work is like magic in entrepreneurship. It's where your values shape your business, making it not just about success but also about doing good, led by your faith. And that, my friends, is the real magic of spiritualism. Jai Shri Krishna🙏🏼