BookMyShow Success Story #motivation #business #successstory #startup

"My genes drive me to take risks. My parents arrived with nothing, teaching me to embrace failure as a path to growth. In my family, failure isn't discouraged, it's celebrated."
- Ashish Hemrajani (Founder and CEO of BookMyShow)

Ashish grew up in Bombay, in Juhu. Ashish wanted to be a filmmaker, but he couldn't go to film school. So, he studied commerce instead and later got an MBA. He worked in advertising for a while.

Frustrated with the environment at his workplace, Ashish decided he needed a break. So, he went on a backpacking trip to South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana to relax and find some clarity.

It was during this journey that the idea crystallized. A radio commercial promoting online ticket sales for rugby matches sparked a revelation – why not bring this convenience to India's chaotic ticket booking system?

Returning from his travels, Ashish took a bold leap of faith. Armed with a faxed business plan to Capital Partners JP Morgan, he secured a staggering half a million dollars in funding at the age of 24. Thus, BookMyShow was born.

When he came back, he decided to start a business selling tickets online. He sent a fax to a company asking for funding, and surprisingly got half a million dollars.

After securing half a million dollars in funding, Ashish Hemrajani launched BookMyShow, initially focusing on building trust through ticket sales and innovative delivery methods. However, the dot-com bust of 2002 threatened the company's survival, leading to significant downsizing and financial strain.

Undeterred, Ashish negotiated with investors to secure a severance package for laid-off employees and embarked on a mission to reacquire the company. With the support of his mother, he successfully reclaimed BookMyShow,

After navigating the challenges of the dot-com bust, Ashish Hemrajani prioritized cost-saving measures such as reducing electricity consumption and eliminating unnecessary expenses. Embracing the mantra, "It’s not about how much money you make, it’s about how much money you save," he focused on efficiency.

From 2002 to 2007, Ashish concentrated on strengthening BookMyShow's foundation. He developed essential in-house solutions, including a robust CRM system, and assembled a skilled tech team. These efforts laid the groundwork for the company's growth.

Today, BookMyShow boasts over 100 million downloads, selling 20 million tickets monthly and achieving billion-dollar annual sales. Ashish's dedication and innovation continue to drive the platform's success.

From small beginnings to a big platform, their story teaches us to keep trying and think differently. BookMyShow keeps growing, Ashish's story encourages us to dream big and make a difference in the world.