Bangalore was a revelation. Compared to his laid back home town, it was a happening city, bubbling with ideas. Everyone was keen to learn, explore and do something new. In the hostel he met an energetic guy, Ashutosh Saksham, and they became enthused by the idea of launching their own start-up. This was 2021, and Bangalore was aggressively pushing e-commerce, leaving traditional offline stores in distress. “As budding entrepreneurs, we thought digitizing the brick and mortar businesses would benefit them,” explains Shayan. “And of course make us tons of money!” They decided that their startup would be called Your Replica and modelled on Shopify.
They would usually go around Bangalore in Ashutosh’s scooty, and Shayan soon wanted to learn how to ride. One day, while still learning, he lost control and collided with a Wall, suffering severe injuries. Ashutosh, who was fortunately uninjured, carried the unconscious Shayan to 3 different hospitals in desperate search for treatment, to somehow save his life. The leg was shattered and the doctors were doubtful if he would ever walk again. His strong will and youthful vitality helped in the healing and finally, after numerous surgeries and a month in hospital he was finally discharged.
“I don’t believe in taking right decisions, I take decisions and make them right.”
— Mr. Ratan Tata