Ashutosh, hailing from Bihar, began his journey earning just Rs 4,000 a month. Today, he has transformed his life and successfully manages a company with an impressive turnover of Rs 100 crore. Let's read his inspiring journey from a humble guitar teacher to a thriving digital entrepreneur.

Background

Ashutosh Pratihast, originally from Hardiya village in the Sitamarhi district of Bihar, grew up in a close-knit joint family. His father held various small jobs in the village, while his three uncles served as government employees. From a young age, Ashutosh was quite mischievous, often spending his days playing and getting into trouble with other children. His mother frequently felt overwhelmed by complaints from villagers about his behaviour and his poor academic performance. 

Education

Ashutosh's mother struggled with depression, prompting doctors to recommend a change of environment for her recovery. In 2005, the family relocated to Delhi, where his father secured a job with a salary of Rs 5,000. At that time, Ashutosh was just six years old. Despite the move, his mischievous nature persisted, leading his father to enroll him in Kendriya Vidyalaya in Guwahati due to the affordable fees.

In Guwahati, Ashutosh found himself in a challenging situation; the local children spoke Assamese, while he only knew Hindi. This language barrier left him feeling scared and isolated. However, as he observed the dignified demeanour of the affluent children around him, he began to understand that education and financial stability were key to earning respect. Motivated by this realization, he decided to shift his focus toward his studies.

Supporting family

During Ashutosh's class 10, his father lost his job, creating significant challenges in managing household expenses. The family had to rely on loans, and that year they couldn't even afford Holi colours or Diwali sweets. Determined to help, Ashutosh decided to contribute financially. Leveraging his guitar skills, he began teaching and earned Rs 4,000 per month. He continued this work throughout his class 12, eventually passing with an impressive 92%.

After considerable effort, Ashutosh secured a call centre job with a salary of Rs 6,000. One day, a caller, impressed by his voice, offered him double that amount to join his startup. At just 19 years old, Ashutosh accepted the opportunity, earning Rs 14,000. He soon discovered that the startup's founders, aged between 22 and 24, were earning crores each month.

Entrepreneurial dreams

Inspired by his experiences, Ashutosh began to consider starting his own business. He immersed himself in self-development books, which significantly transformed his mindset and lifestyle. Taking the initiative, he approached his college principal with a proposal for coaching sessions focused on skill development. The success of this programme not only boosted his confidence but also set him on a path towards entrepreneurship.

He founded 'Evolution,' which provided presentations at various colleges across Delhi. He also launched a YouTube channel, although it initially attracted limited views and subscribers. Recognising the importance of persistence, he continued his efforts to grow both the platform and his outreach.

Dedication and success

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown brought about significant changes. As people were confined to their homes, they began watching Ashutosh's videos, resulting in a surge of viewership and an increase in subscribers to 15,000. He also authored an e-book detailing his experiences and strategies for earning Rs 3 lakhs per month, which generated an impressive Rs 9 lakhs in sales.

To empower people digitally, Ashutosh launched the ed-tech platform 'IDigitalPreneur.' Within just 11 months, the company achieved a remarkable turnover of Rs 7 crore, and its current valuation has surpassed Rs 100 crore. Ashutosh's passion for generating wealth is now inspiring millions.

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