When you read about the struggles faced by this man at the very helm of his youth, the story seems no different than what is faced by millions of teenage children in Indian families. While most accept the routine hurdles of life and surrender themselves to the unfair jargon, Sandeep Maheshwari took the same route but with a never-fear-failure attitude. His success story is not garnished with mere luck but has an undeniable X-factor. Here below is our best attempt to summarize his early life, childhood, education, successful ventures and milestones achieved.
Early Childhood and Education
Born on 28th September 1980, Sandeep Maheshwari is the elder son of parents Roop Kishore and Shakuntala Rani Maheshwari. He has a younger sister. Sandeep’s father had a partnership business in aluminium which collapsed when he was in the 10th standard. Since then, he had experienced a very gruelling struggle faced by his family to put food on the table. They tried different ventures but with little to no success. Although his parents never pressurized him to fend for the family, the circumstances made it evident that he would have to take the reins soon.
He was a bright student but decided to drop out of Kirorimal College, Delhi in the final year to get into modelling. From there, he started his beautiful journey of trying different professions, business ventures and finally understanding the true meaning of his life.
Early Career
After dropping out of college, he initially joined a multi-level marketing company and then soon moved on to manufacturing and marketing household items. But, he quit these ventures to try his stint as a model as he was lured by the modelling world. As a model at the age of 19, he witnessed the exploitation experienced by models. This moved him and he decided to do something to eradicate their struggles.
He pursued a short course in photography and ventured out into the modelling world to try his luck as a model photographer. He launched his own company Mash Audio Visuals Pvt. Ltd at the tender age of 21 with a mission to help models. He started making model portfolios. Around the same time, he, along with his 2 friends launched a company that did not do well. Within 6 months, they had to shut down, but Sandeep did not let the fire within him die out.
The turning point in his life came when in 2003, he aced a juggernaut task of taking 10,000 shots of 122 models within 11 hours. He got some fame at that point, but it only strengthened his mission to change the modelling world. He launched ImagesBazaar in 2006 and single-handedly managed to be a photographer, counsellor, and tele-caller. Today, ImagesBazaar has the world’s largest collection of Indian images with more than 7000 clients the world over.
The Step-Ahead
He soon became famous as the guy who single-handedly managed to bring a paradigm shift to the Indian modelling industry. He successfully launched several models sidelining harassment and exploitation.
By 2008, the world started recognizing Sandeep Maheshwari as a mentor, guide, role model and successful entrepreneur. Today, he connects with the youth of the world and helps them make their life ‘Aasaan.’
His successful organization is not driven by money and fame, but by an emotional bond that he creates with every individual or company. An unshakeable faith in God drives him. Today, he is quite satisfied having created an entirely new organization. He has a self-made benchmark that states, ‘If you have more than you need, simply share it with those who need it the most.’ And so, he steps out each day to help those in need.
He is one of the few who managed to rise above the rat race and broke through the stereotyped mantra, ‘life is tough’, and changed it to ‘Aasaan hai’. Along with this mantra, he is also heard reciting his other philosophies in his speeches, ‘money grows on trees,’ ‘success is not just about working hard,’ and ‘to say is easy, to do is easier.’
He also believes that it is most important to start any venture in life with your own money. Today, he aspires to inspire numerous entrepreneurial leaders of tomorrow and help them succeed. He is famous for his motivational free ‘life-changing seminars’ that he conducts for colleges and organizations. With over 10 million followers on his YouTube channel, his fanbase is increasing day by day.
Personal Life
He is married to Ruchi Maheshwari and the couple have a daughter and a son named Hriday Maheshwari.
Milestones
- He wrote a book on marketing at the tender age of 21.
- Awarded the ‘Creative Entrepreneur of the Year 2013’ by Entrepreneur India Summit.
- He was awarded, ‘One of India’s Most Promising Entrepreneurs’ by Business World magazine.
- Awarded the ‘Young Creative Entrepreneur Award’ by the British Council.
- Awarded the ‘Star Youth Achiever Award’ by the Global Youth Marketing forum.
- Recognized as the ‘Pioneer of Tomorrow’ by the ET Now television channel.
- Sandeep Maheshwari has been featured in most leading magazines, newspapers and television channels in India and overseas.
The inspiring man continues to inject happiness and positivity wherever he goes. His contagious smile and easy approach to life eventually rub off on you. In today’s world where stress and depression lurk everywhere, Sandeep Maheshwari illuminates the darkest corners and helps us believe in the existence of happiness. Just watching him guiding and mentoring millions of youth for free takes away tonnes of our stress, and listening to his amazing life concepts makes you wonder, ‘why didn’t you see it that way!’
