Myraa Group’s MD Ajay Chauhan’s inspirational path is proof of the strength of resiliency and willpower in the face of difficulty. He speaks to The Pioneer sharing his journey, shifting multiple career paths, and more.
SHIKHA DUGGAL
Managing Director of Myraa Group Ajay Chauhan’s inspirational path is proof of the strength of resiliency and willpower in the face of difficulty. When he was sixteen years old, he was responsible for providing for his family when they were forced to flee because of the total collapse of the financial system. The hustler, on the verge of bankruptcy, was forced to put his studies on hold in order to support his family! Taking the plunge into entrepreneurship and offering some thoughts on it, he says, “For me, it has been an extremely hectic trip from the start. It all began when I was only 16 years old, driven by the stark truth of my family’s financial collapse to travel to a different city with just 1500 rupees and an enormous amount of resolve. The metropolis, with its frantic pace, turned into my hub for bustle. I had to take odd jobs to make ends meet, therefore I had to start from scratch and learn the ropes of the hospitality business.”
Equipped with doubt and unmatched tenacity, he began his journey at the busy VT station by meandering around until he happened to find his first position in the hotel sector. He applied the same strict work ethic to every hospitality position, no matter how tiny, and he was well-versed in the inner workings of the restaurant industry from the ground up. A turning point was reached at one of the eateries! At his place of employment, a fortuitous meeting led to a change in focus towards recruitment. This change signalled the start of an adventure that would completely alter his course.
“However, things changed when I happened to run into someone by accident while waiting tables at a restaurant. I wandered into the recruitment industry, and all of a sudden, I had a new road ahead of me! At Al Taher, which served as my launching pad, I put in a ton of work. And when the chance presented itself, I jumped at it, and my tenacity enabled me to transform my faltering company into a major player on the world stage. Yes, the journey from modest beginnings to managing director of Myraa Group has been quite an experience. However, I wouldn’t alter a thing. Since each obstacle has helped me become the person I am today,” the speculator spoke to us in a tone that conveyed a distinct kind of spirit. “Moving from the hospitality industry to recruitment marked a significant turning point in my career,” he says, continuing with the same level of zeal.
“The choice to switch to recruitment after starting my career in hospitality was not taken lightly, but it ended up being one of the best ones for my professional path. The disparities between the two industries made it difficult at first, but I made the decision to face it head-on and adjust as needed. I am appreciative of the mentorship I got, which enabled me to make the adjustment.” The adventure that shaped him into the person he is today started in 1995. He put everything he had into working full-time at Al Taher, where he developed his client management skills and helped close the demand-supply gap. He soon left for the UK to seek a career in management course that served as the basis for a new chapter, and while working in the UK gave him experience, he began to doubt whether it was in line with his aspirations.
“Although going worldwide was a challenge, my life’s events had equipped me to never give up. When the company underwent a restructuring in 1999, I recognised that the African market, which was then beginning to gather traction, had a lot of promise. I have to say that entering the African market was not easy, and the first three to four years were difficult without any significant clients. One pivotal milestone occurred in 2004 when, in spite of several challenges, including a short timeline, visa issues, and a dearth of technology, I managed to successfully hire 300 people for a project in Mali,” he continues. After completing his management school and returning to India, he happened to speak with his boss, who had paid for his studies in the UK, about an unforeseen opportunity. The recruitment firm was about to close, so Ajay took the opportunity to suggest taking over. Along with the same tenacity and will, he traversed the complex terrain, turning the little hut into the cornerstone of a workforce that would eventually expand not just throughout India but the entire world! He continued, “Taking over the company when it was facing closure wasn’t just a business move; it was about restoring its glory.”
He revealed more such intriguing insights. “In February, we will have been together for 25 years, although it doesn’t seem like that long. I’m glad I took advantage of the chance to grow the business at the time and made it even better. My career with the company began when I decided to take a risk and transfer my emphasis to Africa, where prospects awaited. At the time, I was working with the Middle East market, but I also saw how saturated the sector was. My career was defined by the move from hospitality to recruitment, which also made me an entrepreneur.” He reorganised the business in 1999 and set out on an arduous quest to acquire clients. The first major project involving the recruitment of 300 people for Mali in Africa in 2004 marked the beginning of new opportunities brought about by the expansion to Africa! His remarkable journey of diversification did not end there. Amidst the difficulties caused by COVID-19 in 2020, the firm changed its focus to contracting and building, landing a significant project in Madagascar. Investing in vocational skills training in 2019 demonstrated a dedication to upskilling the African labour force.
“Although obstacles are unavoidable, I have learned to view them as chances for improvement. Overcoming barriers has become simpler thanks to technological improvements like e-visas and better diplomatic services. In addition, my robust network—which is based on mutual respect and trust—has been crucial in getting over obstacles. The pandemic had caused havoc, and manpower consulting had stopped. Everyone was going through a difficult period, and my people’s safety came first. I had to make a difficult decision since I couldn’t jeopardise anyone’s safety. However, obstacles might occasionally present unanticipated chances. I had a moment to reflect and take a step back during the break. It became evident to me that, in order to weather such storms in the future, I needed to diversify my business. At that point, the notion of going into contracting and building was raised. Since I witnessed some of my clients liquidate their businesses during the epidemic, I was initially hesitant to enter the industry. Although it wasn’t a snap choice, my long history of closely collaborating with African construction companies gave me the courage to take the risk.”
He made the decision to take the risk because he was confident in his knowledge and connections inside the construction sector. Although it took him some time to get the hang of the construction industry, he managed to succeed with the help of regional companies and the African government. The path has been full of benefits as well as hardships. Above all, it has enabled him to maintain the safety and well-being of his workforce.
He made sure to include, “Since 2012, taking up marathon running has evolved from a pastime to a lifestyle decision that has taught me discipline, which I use in both my personal and professional life. Running has allowed me to have more time for reflection. This path has influenced not only my physical health but also my outlook on life, which goes beyond the workplace.” Running is Ajay’s escape from the boardroom; he has been pursuing this hobby for the last seven or eight years. His participation in marathons all over the world—from Berlin to Bhutan, Amsterdam to Mumbai—testifies to his tenacity and resolve, both on and off the field.
