The Shree Channel (Episode 11) Interview Rahul Puranik #AtlantaIndian #AtlantaNews #ShreeChannel

Thank you very much, Chandan, for inviting me. It's an honor and a privilege. I also like to thank Sri Channel, Alka, Tanuja, and the entire team for inviting me. It's been an honor to be here. Thank you.

Your introduction really emboldened me. It all started in 1990 when I came here for my undergrad. I was born and brought up in Vile Parle, Mumbai. I went to the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa for electrical engineering. I worked for an oil company, pursued flying as a passion, and became a corporate pilot. Interacting with top executives gave me a new perspective. I left my job, moved to Atlanta with my wife Swapna, and started winemaking. I bought a boutique wine shop – my first entrepreneurship. I then became part owner of a 165‑acre vineyard in Australia, which we sold quickly for good returns. That gave me capital, and I moved into building super beverage stores and hotels, learning that the real money was in construction. I also started an airline, Sapphire Airways, but rising fuel prices made it unviable. We acquired Cosmic Air in Nepal, which had valuable bilateral rights, grew to $45 million revenue in a year, but the 2008‑2009 financial crisis hit us hard. I had to let go of 800 employees. I tried diamond and gold mining in Africa, had some success with gold, but it didn't last. I lost everything I had built. My wife Swapna was my backbone. We went back to basics in construction and I started a distillery in France. That was 11 years ago; now we have eight products in seven countries. I focus on what I know best.

Once we got into construction, people think we are in the wine business, but the bulk of profits came from building the stores. We built hotels and exited, but running them was not my core competence. When the economy went down in 2008, I lost everything – hotels, beverage plazas, and the airline. I was down to nothing. Swapna and I were very stressed. But we went back to the drawing board, started again in construction, and then focused on the distillery. I learned to stick with what I know, and that has worked for the last 11 years.

Honestly, the community has given me so much. I feel it's my moral and ethical responsibility to give back at least what I've received. Back in 2013, Alka suggested I share my experiences. I started mentoring kids, and now for the last 10 years I've mentored over 150 students, from 9th‑10th grade through their careers. It's fun and a great journey. I also want to commend you, Chandan, on founding GigaPlex Academy, which helps students identify their core strengths and weaknesses. It's a game changer. I always ask students if they would do the work without getting paid – if 99% say no, that's not what they want. GigaPlex gives them that platform.

Thank you, Chandan, for inviting me. I really enjoyed it. I hope SRI Channel continues and your GigaPlex Academy makes changes in people's lives. Thank you.