Our choices in life often define our fate and life trajectory. At several junctures in life one has to make choices regarding a college, course, or job. But given the abundance of possibilities available today, it is easy to get caught up in confusion and choose a career that is irrelevant to your interests and abilities. Many individuals ultimately end up picking unsatisfactory careers due to a lack of knowledge about the career possibilities available and the path they must take to get there.

When making a significant professional decision, it is critical to seek advice from skilled professionals who possess the requi­site information.

One such adept professional is Rashi Thakur, founder of Mentor Mpact, an end-to-end college admissions consulting and counselling firm. Rashi founded the firm with the goal of guid­ing people in their professional choices and assisting them in achieving their goals.

Delhi based Mentor Mpact empower students to realize their dreams by helping them discover their interests, explore career choices, firm their goals and gain admission to the best universi­ties. The company stands out from the competition by providing personalized one-on-one mentoring and assisting its individuals in reaching higher life goals.

WomenEntrepreneurIndia spoke to Rashi to learn more about her enterprise, Mentor Mpact, and her objective of assisting indi­viduals in their professional endeavours.

Take us through your early educational journey and prior industry experience that you bring to the table.

I completed my undergraduate studies with a major in eco­nomics. After that, I spent a few years working for Capital IQ, a business that provides credit ratings where I was in-charge of acquisitions and mergers. After three years of working there, I decided to pursue my higher education. I opted for a major in Strategy and Finance in my MBA. That gave me stimulation for learning from the past and eventually helped me start my own venture.

I also come from a family of entrepreneurs, and have grown up in an entrepreneurial environment. I think that the support and education I received gave me the confidence to take the plunge into entrepreneurship.

Introduce us to Mentor Mpact. What was the underlying idea behind the firm?

Immediately following my MBA, I launched Mentor Mpact. I noticed that there was a need among people for customized guidance in terms of career choices. Although there are several consultants in the market, there was a need for personalized and compassionate support. I saw an opportunity there and genuinely be­lieved that I could add value and fill the void.

The idea evolved from there. I had a sizable network of friends who attended the best universities world­wide. So I made use of my network and my personal strengths to create of Mentor Mpact.

In the early stages, the emphasis was on creating and achieving the intended goals. After receiving the first few admissions and witnessing the parents' hap­piness with the level of assistance I could provide, our business gradually began to experience yearly growth.

The primary objective to create Mentor Mpact was to add value in the area of education. There are various questions that any person goes through at different stages of their professional life. It might be a working professional who wants to advance their career or a high school student who is unsure about how to choose a university and a career path. My purpose was to serve as a mentor and guide who could truly answer their questions and give them the self-assurance they need­ed to accomplish something significant in their lives. Not only assisting them with career selection, but also recommending pertinent courses, workshops, events, and placements.

In your opinion how has the education consulting landscape evolved post Covid-19 crisis?

When the pandemic first began, numerous reports high­lighted how it would negatively affect international ad­missions and discourage students from seeking higher education abroad. Initially, I was concerned, but later on, it turned out to be the contrary for me. Universities understood the impact of covid-19 and revised some policies appropriately, which was advantageous for stu­dents. Students who previously were unable to apply for studies abroad were given the opportunity. We also got a certain chunk of students who were waiting for test scores or other certain things which were waved off by the universities.

Due to the work-from-home culture, working profes­sionals had some time to pause and evaluate their next course of action, which helped us attract some working professional clients. Covid thus enabled us to expand our businesses even further. It turned out to be a situa­tion that was a blessing in disguise for us.

 "The basic adage "concentrate on your own work, offer your best at each place, and let your work speak for you" motivates me"

Can you recount one of the most challenging phases of your entrepreneurial journey. How did you successfully overcome the roadblock that you had faced?

The bigger challenge we encounter is market com­petition. There are potential new players who will enter the market. However, the adage "concentrate on your own work, offer your best at each place, and let your work speak for you" is what motivates me. Even though it's difficult, word-of-mouth works for me. If people see the results and realise they can find the assistance they need from you, they will come to you. Having several years of experience behind me also helps, because I can draw on a variety of case studies when advising students. That is how I deal with challenges.

What are some of the most significant milestones that you have achieved throughout your professional journey? What has been the driving force behind your success as an entrepreneur?

Staring the venture right after my master's degree and an MBA was the most significant milestone for me. However, I've managed to enter the market and expand my firm gradually. I also work with a reputable Delhi school that takes our support for their counselling pro­grammes. These are important milestones since they have increased our credibility in the market over time.

What inspires me is witnessing how happy our clients are with the services we offer, watching them succeed, get accepted into prestigious universities, and now and then even receive scholarships. The thought that I play some role in helping them achieve their dreams give me the biggest high.

What would your advice be to young women and girls who also aspire to become business leaders and entrepreneurs in the future?

Have faith, believe in your goals, and don't be afraid of taking risks. Just step out and take the first step towards entrepreneurship. If you get any opportunity, don't be afraid to take up the challenge because until you try, you don't know what your capabilities are. There's always a space for everybody, it’s just about be­lieving in yourself and take the first courageous step.

 Rashi Thakur, Founder, Mentor Mpact

Rashi Thakur started Mentor Mpact on her own with the goal of helping people realise their professional goals by helping them identify and get admission into the right educational programs globally.