Goodbye to the first decade of 21st century. Welcome 2010.

What a year and what a decade this has been. I wonder if there has been a more eventful (in terms of quantum of change and volatility) decade ever. (Maybe, some of the renaissance decades?)

I must admit I have been very slow to post in 2009. I can place the blame on Twitter and (more exciting) the pace at which 2009 whizzed past.

2009 was a phenomenal year for me both on personal and professional front.

Our daughter - Sayuri - was born on 12th November (that reminds me... we need to change the family pic to include the new member of Bose family). She has kept us very busy and very very happy!

Professionally, this was the year when people really started to recognize the NetElixir brand. A huge credit goes to our clients for helping us get to this great position. Brand building is a great challenge and is an extremely satisfying experience. We have also made significant progress this year in - a)expanding to new markets b)introducing new products c)winning marquee clients.

We are all looking forward to 2010 with new dreams in our eyes and hopes in our heart.

But, at this time I cannot help looking back on the last 10 years (this decade) and comparing 1st January 2000 with 31st December 2009.

Gosh! So much has changed...

1st Jan 2000: I was in Bhubaneswar (Orissa,India). I was single. I was working as Area Sales Manager with Godrej Soaps Ltd. Had received a job offer from ICI Paints (Mumbai Area Sales Manager). I was counting "hours" (quite literally) for my wedding (26th January 2000).

The Nov 1999 Super cyclone in Orissa had sowed in me the seed of discontent and discomfort with bureaucracy and injected a sense of restlessness - the kind that grows on you when the shocking realization dawns upon you that "life is extremely short and you are running out of time very fast." 

Maybe, that was the time when I first got bitten by the entrepreneurial bug - or maybe.. I just wanted to do something different and touch some people's lives in a way that may have been impossible had I not ventured out on my own and did something.. different..something (seemingly) more satisfying.

Anyway, I did not start flying solo till Jan 2004...

31st December 2009: I am writing this post from my office in Princeton (NJ,USA). I am happily married with two kids. I run NetElixir. We have the good fortune of working with many global online retail advertisers. I am fortunate to be able to work with a wonderful team of 50 people (that works from our 5 global offices). Our clients love us. We are passionate about taking online advertising optimization to the next level. We are living our dreams.

Yes, it is indeed satisfying to be in (greater) control of your own destiny. It feels great to touch lives of many people in various countries. God has been kind.

I am sure there will be as many twists and turns in the coming ten years. (Without these "curve balls" where is the fun?). I am looking forward to the next ten years with immense enthusiasm. A lot will happen.. a lot will change.. I feel kind of "RESTLESS AGAIN".

Happy New Year. May your dreams come true.

Udayan

Comments

[Aditya]

Hi Udayan,

I have just started reading your blog. I take interest in reading about entrepreneurs like yourself. I too am looking forward for starting my own venture soon and am just learning by experience. Wish you all the very best for your endeavors in life. Will keep coming back for more.

Regards,
Aditya

[Sonal Agarwal]

Its great to have an Indian self-made entrepreneur blog. Thanks a tonne for sharing your journey on the entrepreneurial path. You're motivating a lot of people. God Bless You Udayan!