Fulfilling a Mother’s Dream and Paving the Path to PrimaVerse Success.
By Chandran Iyer
In the realm of entrepreneurship, where dreams are often fueled by ambition, profit, and innovation, Yogesh Desai stands as a unique luminary whose journey took an extraordinary turn – he founded his company, PrimaVerse, driven not solely by personal ambition, but by a heartfelt commitment to fulfill his mother’s dream. Hailing from a middle-class background and a successful stint in the corporate world, Yogesh’s decision to plunge into the challenging domain of entrepreneurship was no ordinary choice.
He was the India head of a big IT company. But he left it and plunged into the uncharted territory of entrepreneurship with nothing in his hands. How many individuals can claim to have embarked on the entrepreneurial path with the sole aim of fulfilling their mother’s dreams?
Yogesh Desai, the Managing Partner and CEO of PrimaVerse had already carved a niche for himself in the IT sector with a flourishing career. However, his story takes an intriguing twist when he decides to forsake the comfort of a well-paying, high-salaried job to embark on a journey dictated by a more profound purpose – honoring his mother’s aspirations. His mother, a simple middle-class woman, harbored a lofty dream of witnessing her son become an entrepreneur. This dream catalyzed Yogesh’s decision to dive headfirst into the entrepreneurial arena.
Yogesh, reflecting on his journey, shared, “My mom, a commerce graduate, harbored the dream that one day I would own a company instead of working for others. Deeply attached to her, I made a resolute decision to become an entrepreneur, solely driven by the desire to fulfill her aspirations.” Yogesh emphasized that he could only embrace this entrepreneurial venture due to the unwavering support of his wife, Jyoti, who was employed as a professor in a college.
He said, “Her consistent, salaried income served as the safety net for our family when I decided to traverse the uncharted terrain of entrepreneurship.” It provided a crucial support system during the inherently uncertain and challenging phase of establishing and running my own business”.
With over 24 years of enriching experience, Yogesh is a seasoned civil engineer by profession, holding a Master’s Degree in Structures. Specializing in Land Development, Structural, and Land Surveying, he has made substantial contributions to the field of civil engineering. Reflecting on his journey, he remarks, “In the initial stages, the goal was simply to build a successful career in the field of my education. However, as horizons and opportunities expanded, so did my goals.
The year 2013 marked the genesis of Yogesh’s venture into entrepreneurship, a decision that came with its fair share of challenges. In the nascent days of PrimaVerse, the struggle to sustain the company was palpable. Despite facing financial constraints, Yogesh prioritized ensuring his employees received their salaries, often forgoing his own.
In Yogesh’s own words, “Entrepreneurship is a topsy-turvy ride, and the best teacher always turns out to be ‘experience.'” His journey has been a testament to resilience, determination, and a profound sense of purpose. Yogesh’s adept handling of the challenges that come with establishing and growing a company from scratch reflects his innate leadership qualities.
Yogesh’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of familial dreams and the profound impact they can have on an individual’s path. Established in 2013, the company has rapidly become a global leader in Multi-Disciplinary Engineering Services Outsourcing, specializing in Architectural, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) as well as Mechanical Engineering domains.
PrimaVerse commenced its operations with a singular focus on Engineering and Computer-Aided Design (CAD) services for the AEC industry. Over the past ten years, the company has not only met but exceeded expectations, garnering praise from clients and employees alike.
In January 2023, PrimaVerse entered a transformative partnership with Control Point Associates, Inc. (CPA), a distinguished company offering land surveying, geospatial, and consulting services in the USA. This strategic joint venture positions PrimaVerse to scale new heights and deliver innovative solutions to its clients.
At the heart of PrimaVerse’s success is Yogesh Desai, a seasoned entrepreneur with a wealth of experience in the engineering services sector. With a background in civil engineering and a master’s degree in Structures, Yogesh brings over 24 years of enriching experience to the table. His journey, marked by a diverse career that includes running similar companies in the past, has equipped him with a deep understanding of the challenges of building and growing a company from scratch.
Under Yogesh’s leadership, PrimaVerse has evolved from a CAD software training center to a renowned provider of Engineering Services. With a team of over 60 engineers, Yogesh is steering the company towards becoming a globally recognized brand in the field of Engineering Services.
Transforming from a CAD software training center into a provider of esteemed Engineering Services, PrimaVerse has undergone a remarkable growth journey over the past few years. With confidence, he shares, “Now the objective is to establish PrimaVerse as a recognized brand in the field of Engineering Services. I am on track to achieve the planned goal; with a few more years of effort, we should be there soon”.
Receiving positive feedback regarding work quality, timely delivery, and customer satisfaction motivates Yogesh to consistently push boundaries and deliver superb service. He expresses his excitement, stating, “I am thrilled to lead a team of engineers and embrace the opportunity to collaborate with diverse clients across various cultures and regions. My aim is to position ourselves as leaders in providing CAD Engineering services globally to Architecture, Engineering, and Construction companies, encompassing, but not limited to, Civil Engineering, Surveying, Manufacturing, Building Information Services, and Signage manufacturing.”
Work Hard, Party Harder
As the Founder and CEO of PrimaVerse, Yogesh assumes various responsibilities, overseeing all aspects, including Operations, Sales, and Marketing. Playing a pivotal role, he formulates the company’s strategy for continued growth, market expansion, and financial planning.
In the eyes of his wife, Jyoti, Yogesh Desai transcends the roles he plays as a family man and an entrepreneur. Described as a true inspiration on the home front, she says “ Yogesh showcases a remarkable ability to seamlessly blend the responsibilities of familial life with a keen sense of planning and care. His role within the family is marked by a thoughtful and strategic approach, where he not only contributes as a caring presence but also as a meticulous planner, ensuring that the intricate facets of family life are harmoniously orchestrated.
“On the professional front, within the dynamic realm of entrepreneurship, Yogesh emerges as the very embodiment of liveliness and strength at PrimaVerse” . Jyoti acknowledges his vibrant and energetic spirit that infuses life into the corporate landscape. “As an entrepreneur, Yogesh brings not only a robust business acumen but also an infectious enthusiasm that propels PrimaVerse forward. His leadership style is characterized by a fusion of dynamism and resilience, acting as the driving force behind the success and vitality of the organization” she adds.
In essence, Yogesh Desai’s persona is a harmonious blend of a caring family man and a spirited entrepreneur. His ability to navigate the intricacies of both realms stands as a testament to his multifaceted nature, where inspiration and planning coalesce on the familial front, while liveliness and strength define his entrepreneurial endeavors at PrimaVerse.
Core Value of PrimaVerse
Pillars of PrimaVerse: Values and Culture PrimaVerse’s core values are encapsulated in the acronym “RAPID” – Reliability, Accountability, Passionate, Innovation, and Discipline. These values form the foundation of the company’s culture, which fosters innovation and encourages employees to think outside the box.
The company’s growth is driven by several key pillars, including a commitment to innovation, intellectual honesty, setting high standards, fostering teamwork, and never giving up in the face of challenges. Yogesh emphasizes the importance of recognizing and appreciating the efforts of employees, treating them as extended family members, and empowering them to be independent decision-makers.
“Teamwork is the Best Hard Work,” Yogesh asserts, recognizing that a motivated and dedicated team is the supreme asset for any company. His leadership philosophy revolves around trust, giving employees new challenges, and acknowledging their positive efforts, no matter how small.”
Yogesh emphasizes, “I acknowledge every positive effort made by employees to contribute, regardless of how small it may seem. Besides I trust them and present them with new challenges whenever feasible, encouraging them to step out of their comfort zone.” These principles have been instrumental in extracting the best from his own team.
For Yogesh, there is no one-size-fits-all rule for work-life balance. He believes that each individual has a unique understanding of what constitutes balance. Therefore, everyone needs to establish a balance that ensures their personal life remains unaffected while pursuing professional goals.
As the founder and CEO, Yogesh wears multiple hats, overseeing operations, sales, marketing, and formulating the company’s growth strategy. Despite the demanding nature of his role, Yogesh places importance on work-life balance, acknowledging that each person must define this balance based on their unique circumstances.
He shares, “I typically avoid working on weekends, adhering to the philosophy of ‘Work Hard, Party Harder.'” This approach not only rejuvenates him but also sets an example for his team, promoting a healthy work environment.
To facilitate the company’s further expansion and ascend the ladder of success, PrimaVerse has established a distinctive culture that fosters innovation. Several pillars drive its continued growth, and some of these key principles include: • Innovation: This approach empowers the team to devise out-of-the-box solutions for clients. • Intellectual honesty: Encouraging the sharing of diverse views on specific problems to provide clients with accurate knowledge. • Be Direct: Embracing straightforwardness at all times to cultivate long-term trust with clients. • Set high standards: Striving for excellence, the company has established best-of-best standards. • One team: Despite diverse job functions, all employees contribute as a cohesive team towards the company’s success. • Never give up: Confronting challenges boldly and overcoming them with diligent efforts.
Recognizing his team as the paramount asset, Yogesh goes the extra mile to ensure they feel special and motivated to give their best for the company’s growth. He believes that when employees are treated like extended family members with their basic needs attended to, they become highly motivated and dedicated. By fostering a culture that encourages independent decision-making, supporting minor failures as part of the learning process, and instilling confidence in tackling new challenges, employees develop a lasting appreciation for the company and willingly go the extra mile for its success.
He expresses, “Nobody can achieve 100% of what they desire as long as they are actively working. If someone believes they have accomplished everything, it’s time to consider retirement or cease working.” According to him, with ongoing advancements, emerging challenges, and global issues, individuals’ goals continuously evolve. As goals change, new challenges and problems arise. The influx of information, the world becoming more interconnected through internet connectivity, and the younger generation brimming with invigorating energy and breakthrough ideas help to keep individuals on their toes.
Future Trajectory
PrimaVerse’s Ambitious Goals Looking towards the future, PrimaVerse is actively advancing to achieve ambitious goals. Over the next 5 years, the company has robust plans to quintuple its current revenue through persistent growth strategies. Yogesh emphasizes, “During this period of expansion, PrimaVerse aims to extend its presence to additional geographical regions, including Europe, Australia, along with the US.
In conclusion, PrimaVerse, under the leadership of Yogesh Desai, exemplifies the spirit of innovation, commitment to excellence, and a vision for global growth. As the company continues to evolve and set new benchmarks in the engineering services industry, Yogesh’s leadership philosophy and the company’s core values will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping its future success.