Hi, I’m Rajiv Talreja!
India’s MSME business coach
That’s what people I work with and my team call me. But if you ask me, I would say that I’m a forced entrepreneur – not one by choice!
However, today I love being an entrepreneur and a business coach.
So what inspired me to become an entrepreneur?
My Dad!
I would give all the credit and dedicate the journey to my dad. I can’t picture what would have happened if he hadn’t torn my job offer letter back in 2006.
Yes, he did that!
I had this great Indian career planned for myself. I also got a comfy job at my college campus but my dad said, “If they’re willing to pay you so much, it only means that you are way more valuable than what offer you have gotten; start your own business”.
He didn’t give me any other option. He said, “Go, start your own business.” That was the first push. The only thing I knew back then was training as I did an internship during college. That’s how the idea of Quantum Leap was born in 2006.
That’s how a 20-year-old along with his business partner started a corporate training company in 2007.
As of today, we have been partners in business for 14 years. Everyone says partnerships don’t work. But when it comes to Karan, I could have never asked for a better partnership.
Even though we have different personalities and strengths, we complement each other. It’s like both of our imperfections together have created a beautiful space and a strong foundation for the business.
Back then, my thought was to train the people and impact their businesses and organizations. I even generated my first logo using a free logo generator. (Which I had to change later… obviously!)
I was very young and passionate about starting my business journey. But it was not a smooth sail.
I went and convinced every person possible, carrying my laptop, explaining how I could train and handhold them. “You are too young to train our team” – this was the response I got. I can’t help it, because I had a baby face.
In May 2007, I got my first client after facing 102 rejections.
(I know, that’s a lot!)
I then stopped convincing people and instead produced the results they wanted. And it spoke for itself. I started recruitment, outsourcing, and even project management.
But something was not going well.
I failed in the early stages of building a business; I went into debt. At the age of 23, I was in a 45 lakh debt.
What comes next is the reason that made me who I am today.
2012 – 2013 were the lowest years of my life. I had lost hope in everything; my business, and even myself. I was bitter toward my life and god. The anger, the rage, and the frustration within me were at its peak.
But I don’t relate to that today, and a lot has changed in me because of the people I met during this time.
I realized that I needed a coach if I wanted to build something big. For example, Virat Kohli has a coach and not the one who is playing gully cricket. I needed to learn from someone who has been there, done that, has expertise, knows what works and what does not, and achieved something.
This was a turning point in my life when I started investing in coaching programs and mentoring sessions from people across the globe.
This decision changed everything.
These 5 mentors have had a huge impact on how I look at myself and my life.
Master Choa Kok Sui’s teachings healed my soul.
Sidra Jafri’s magic unlocked my destiny.
Blair Singer’s mission ignited my passion.
Mack Newton’s wisdom transformed my life.
Ashlesh Rao’s presence is changing my orbit.
I cannot explain in words how important of a role my mentors play in my life. They are one of the many reasons why I became a business coach today.
🔗 Know more about Lead or Bleed
In 2014, I did something really good and I thank my past self for doing it.
What did I do? I accepted the fact that I didn’t know how to build a business.
And I began my learning journey… I wanted to learn from the best.
So I decided to take myself on a travel across India, and I interviewed the business owners who have been there and done that.
The consequence of the journey?
In 2016, I launched my book named “Lead or Bleed”… Never in my wildest dreams, I thought I would author a book. I filled the pages of the entire book with the lessons I learned from these 300 business leaders.
I had a dream then.
A dream to handhold and coach MSME business owners with the knowledge I gained. This dream turned into a business, then an organization, and today a mission.
This learning expedition is the root cause of me, as a business coach, creating the P.A.C.E system which helped more than 25,000 entrepreneurs build and scale their businesses.
🔗 Know more about the P.A.C.E. Program
I still remember Sidra’s message after I did my first ever P.A.C.E program, as the first Indian speaker to speak at Success Gyan.
“Tell Rajiv, he is finally doing what he was born to do for the rest of his life.”
That hit me hard. I finally realized what I was supposed to do with my life.
Now I successfully run 4 businesses, which are Quantum Leap, Dreamcraft Events, Dreamcatcher Investments, and Zoozle, and I own one celebrity sports team, “Karnataka Warriors”.
When I initially started Quantum Leap, my only goal was to build a company that would live for more than 100 years…
But I realized that my purpose and mission are still deeper than that!
It took me more than 10 years to build this business coaching firm. Failing, making mistakes, and getting things wrong before I understood my gaps, realized my mistakes, and learned from them.
A few years back, I used to have team meetings around a table. But now, our organization meetings are held in an 11,000 sq. ft office.
Literally, from 12 people to nearly a 120+ member team and still growing, I have built Asia’s largest business coaching team…
Now, it’s time to serve the silent heroes of the economy, the Indian MSMEs.
The QLOne app… This is another milestone in Quantum Leap’s journey, I would say.
I’m not a tech guy. However, I realized the importance of technology and how it can be beneficial in helping traditional businesses.
In 2023, Karan and I launched the only app any business owner would need.
I see this initiative as the first step I take toward serving them.
I believe that this is the first app ever that has been created for Indian MSMEs. It has the intent, motive, and purpose to serve which distinguishes it from the rest.
At the heart of QLOne is EMPOWERMENT. This platform is made for business owners who are eager to grow their businesses in a supportive and interconnected environment.
Here’s how QLOne brings a new wave of empowerment…
Learning
Every day brings new challenges and opportunities. QLOne offers resources and insights that help business owners stay ahead.
Connection
Business owners can connect with like-minded people and industry leaders who are just as passionate and driven.
Sharing
Experiences are invaluable. Business owners can share their stories, strategies, and solutions with a community that listens and learns from each other, creating a culture of mutual growth.
Finding support
QLOne’s community and resources are always there to support the MSME business owners. They can get answers, advice, and encouragement to keep pushing forward.
Celebration
As far as I know, MSME leaders are rarely being recognized. We celebrate your successes, big and small, acknowledging every step forward in your entrepreneurial journey.
The vision of QLOne is to INSPIRE, IGNITE, and IMPACT Indian MSMEs through these and future initiatives.
One of these initiatives to impact the rest of the entrepreneurs out there was Proficorn, an exclusive event for recognizing and rewarding the efforts of MSME business owners.
Each year, we proudly present PROFICORN…
A grand celebration dedicated to the heroes of our economy—the MSMEs.
This two-day event is more like a festival of ideas and achievements than just a business network gathering. It brings together 1,200+ MSME owners from different places to connect and co-create.
At PROFICORN, we celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship. Attendees engage with business icons, exchange transformative learning practices, and build lasting relationships through networking that empowers their business growth and themselves as entrepreneurs.
It’s a time for learning from the best and getting inspired by the journeys of those who have navigated the path of challenges to rise to the top. Not only that… This place is where the MSMEs are literally recognized and celebrated.
We even have the Business Success Awards to appreciate the efforts of the MSMEs.
Our Business Success Awards shine a light on those who are not just running businesses but are making a difference. We honour MSMEs that exemplify growth, innovation, and social responsibility… Celebrating their contributions and encouraging a ripple effect of inspiration across the community.
Now I’ve set on a path pacing toward fulfilling my mission.
I value and love what I do right now as a business coach…
I value the people who work for my vision along with me,
[You call them your team, I call them my Army…]
I value the people who work consistently for the betterment of our economy, the Indian MSMEs.
When I say, “Business is not my life, just a part of my life,” I truly mean it. I realized that there is so much beyond just running a business and making profits. It’s all about making a difference!
I’m on track for that. Hop in and travel on this journey with me…
