Raju Panjwani

Helping High-Level Corporate Executives Transition to Purposeful Entrepreneurship Without Sacrificing Income or Security. I wish I had the benefit of guidance, mentorship, and support before jumping into entrepreneurship 20 years ago at the age of 49. My burning desire to be an entrepreneur was deeply buried. It found satisfaction in gravitating towards jobs that challenged me with NEW projects, TURNAROUNDS, and BUILDING businesses for my employers FROM SCRATCH. My last job was at Morgan Stanley, where I was a Managing Director for 18 years. Each of the last two years, I handed in my resignation, only to be persuaded to stay. Perhaps it was the lack of clarity about my business idea, the fear of starting from scratch without the backing of a big brand, or concerns about maintaining our family’s lifestyle and income. The words of our CEO at a quarterly MD meeting echoed in my mind: "We pay you enough so you won’t quit." These words, though said in a different context, became embedded in my brain, highlighting the golden handcuffs of the corporate world. It took a life-altering experience—being swept away by the tsunami in December 2004 while on vacation with my family—to stir me into action. We survived, and shortly after returning to New York, I resigned. That was nearly 20 years ago. Did I have a clear plan to launch? I thought so; otherwise, I wouldn’t have started my business within 4 months of quitting, with 10 employees overseas in India. What was I thinking? The story goes on: I have since had five start-ups and some incredible experiences that would have never happened in the shade of my big job at the big firm. LIVE, don’t die with your gifts. If not now, when?