Key Takeaways
- Bold decision: Left Intel with green card and house to return to India without a concrete plan
- Family catalyst: Birth of son Sidar triggered the decision to be closer to parents
- Patience required: Building a business in India takes time - be prepared for the long haul
- Massive opportunity: India's next 25 years offer tremendous growth potential
- Traditional business success: Sids Farm now serves 50,000 families with quality milk
The Background: PhD, Intel, and the American Dream
Kishore went to the US in 2000 for his PhD program and spent over 11 years building his career. He achieved what many consider the American dream:
Life in the US
- Education: Completed PhD in the US
- Career: Worked at Intel in a successful role
- Immigration: Obtained green card
- Property: Bought a house
- Family: Son Sidar born in 2010
Despite having everything seemingly in place, Kishore felt something was missing:
"Work was great, life was set, but still there is that little itch. Why not try something back in India? I always loved being there."
The Restless Spirit: Always Exploring
Even while working at Intel, Kishore was constantly exploring new possibilities:
- Took a week-long wind turbine installation course off the coast of Seattle
- Did a solar panel installation course in Arizona desert
- Considered getting a real estate license
- Explored food processing at Michigan State
- Visited farms in California
"I was trying out a bunch of things. I even thought about getting a real estate license. I was trying to experiment, do a bunch of things, wanted to experience more for sure."
The Turning Point: Family and the Itch to Return
The birth of their son Sidar in 2010 changed everything:
"When you are parents, life takes a different turn. We definitely felt like having grandparents closer to them would be super nice, having that support of the family would be great."
Key factors that drove the decision:
- ✓ Desire to be closer to both sets of parents in Hyderabad
- ✓ Want for family support in raising children
- ✓ The persistent feeling that "home is home"
- ✓ Entrepreneurial itch to build something of his own
The Leap: No Plan, Just Conviction
The decision came suddenly and without a detailed plan:
"The previous month I drove to a Lexus showroom, I wanted to buy a Lexus. The next day we decided that we'll move back to India. My boss said this was just crazy - you don't have a plan. I was crazy, I didn't have a plan honestly."
Despite the lack of planning, Kishore took the leap:
- Sold their house in the US
- Moved back as a family
- Took a three-month break before the move to explore options
The Exploration Phase: Finding the Right Path
Before and after moving, Kishore explored multiple business ideas:
🌾 Agriculture
Started with family's existing agricultural operations
💼 Consulting
Explored consulting in electronic manufacturing
📚 Education
Rented a place and started GRE/TOEFL classes
🔬 Engineering Workshops
Conducted practical engineering workshops
"I didn't know what would work, so I was trying a whole bunch of things."
The Reality Check: Business is Hard
Kishore learned a crucial lesson about the difference between employment and entrepreneurship:
"When you work, it's given - the money comes to you, you have a certain amount of knowledge. But earning that as a business is so much more difficult. Getting traction in something is not easy and it takes time. You have to be patient."
The transition from a secure corporate job to entrepreneurship requires patience, persistence, and the acceptance that success takes time.
Sids Farm: The Success Story
After exploring various options, Kishore found his calling in the dairy business. Sids Farm was born with a clear mission:
Sids Farm Today
- Mission: Provide safe, non-antibiotic quality milk
- Scale: Serving 50,000 families
- Markets: Hyderabad and Bangalore
- Vision: Plans to become a pan-India brand
- Duration: 13 years of building and growing
India's Opportunity: The Next 25 Years
Kishore is bullish on India's future:
"There are a lot of opportunities in India. I will say the next 25 years, I think there's a lot of growth that is going to happen in India. It's a great time, I would definitely say. But India - you have to be patient."
The Mindset Shift Required
"I'm not saying problems are not there. I think it is us that has to solve those. I firmly believe us just staying here and being part of the system - we solve those problems even if you don't realize it."
US vs India: The Honest Comparison
Kishore offers a balanced perspective:
🇺🇸 US Life
- Nice, peaceful, set life
- Everything is structured and straight
- Predictable systems
🇮🇳 India Life
- More dynamic and unpredictable
- Bureaucracy can be challenging
- Requires patience and adaptation
"US is definitely nice, peaceful, set life. It's so set and straight. India is like this today still - but how do you deal with bureaucracy, unpredictable bureaucracy when settling back in India?"
Lessons for Aspiring NRI Entrepreneurs
Be Patient
Building a business in India takes time. Don't expect overnight success.
Explore Multiple Options
Try different things before committing. Your first idea may not be the winner.
Embrace the Challenges
Problems exist, but being part of the solution is rewarding.
Leverage Family Support
Having family nearby provides invaluable support during the transition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it possible to start a traditional business in India after years abroad?
A: Yes, but it requires patience and persistence. Kishore's journey shows that with 13 years of dedication, you can build a successful traditional business like Sids Farm that serves 50,000 families.
Q: Should I have a detailed plan before returning to India for entrepreneurship?
A: While having a plan helps, Kishore's story shows that sometimes conviction matters more than planning. He returned without a concrete plan but explored multiple options before finding his path. The key is being open to experimentation.
Q: How long does it take to build a successful business in India?
A: Building a substantial business takes years, not months. Kishore spent 13 years building Sids Farm to its current scale. Patience is essential - getting traction takes time.
Q: What are the main challenges of entrepreneurship in India vs working abroad?
A: The biggest difference is predictability. In a job, money comes regularly with your knowledge. In business, earning is much harder. India also has bureaucratic challenges, but the growth opportunities over the next 25 years are significant.
Q: Is the dairy business a good opportunity in India?
A: Yes, there's significant demand for quality, safe, antibiotic-free milk. Sids Farm's success serving 50,000 families in Hyderabad and Bangalore demonstrates the market opportunity for quality dairy products.
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