Discover first jobs that shaped careers of India's most successful figures including Dhirubhai Ambani, Ratan Tata and more

Success is not a stroke of luck; it’s the result of perseverance, resilience, and unwavering ambition. The journey to greatness often begins with humble origins, where challenges and setbacks fuel determination. Many of India’s most influential figures started from modest backgrounds, navigating obstacles and seizing opportunities that paved the way for their remarkable achievements. Their stories exemplify how dedication and hard work can transform ordinary beginnings into extraordinary successes, offering valuable lessons for aspiring individuals. Through their experiences, we witness the true essence of perseverance, ambition, and the power of believing in one's vision against all odds.

From humble beginnings to unstoppable success: The inspiring stories of India’s most influential leaders


Dhirubhai Ambani

Dhirubhai Ambani, a visionary businessman, came from a poor village in Gujarat, India. He left school early to support his family by working various jobs. His first job was at a gas station in Aden, a British colony, where he earned his first paycheck. At 17, he moved to Aden, where he worked for A. Besse & Co., gaining valuable experience despite initially not being paid. His first salary was Rs 300, while he continued working at the gas station.

Ratan Tata

Ratan Tata, one of India's most respected business leaders, is admired for both his business acumen and philanthropy. Despite receiving a high-paying job offer from IBM, Tata chose to work for his own company, starting his career managing operations on the shop floor of Tata Steel in 1961. He later joined Tata Motors as a trainee, gaining hands-on experience in the family business.

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, founder of Biocon Limited, is a trailblazing businesswoman in biotechnology. She started her career as a trainee brewer in Australia but faced discrimination when she returned to India. Despite these challenges, she founded Biocon and built a successful empire, becoming an inspiration to women entrepreneurs. Shaw is recognized for her business and scientific contributions, with a net worth of $2.5 billion as of January 2024, according to Forbes report.

Gautam Adani

Gautam Adani, the founder and chairman of the Adani Group, is a first-generation entrepreneur with a net worth of $83.4 billion as of April 2024, as reported by Forbes. He began his journey in 1978, moving to Mumbai as a teenager and working for Mahendra Brothers, where he sorted diamonds. After gaining experience, he started his own diamond trading business at Zaveri Bazaar.

Sudha Murty

Sudha Murty, chairperson of the Infosys Foundation and wife of Infosys co-founder N.R. Narayana Murthy, was a pioneer for women in engineering. After sending a postcard to TELCO criticising their treatment of women, she became the first female engineer hired by the company, now known as Tata Motors. She began her career as a Development Engineer in Pune and later moved to Mumbai and Jamshedpur.

Indra Nooyi

Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, was the first woman of colour and immigrant to lead the global company. Under her leadership, PepsiCo increased its profits and became more focused on sustainability. Born in India in 1955, Nooyi began her career as a business strategist at a British textile firm and then as a product manager at Johnson & Johnson in Mumbai, where she introduced the Stayfree menstrual pad to India.

Ardeshir Godrej

Ardeshir Godrej, the founder of the Godrej Group, started his business before India’s independence by making high-quality locks that were more affordable than British imports. He initially worked as an assistant in a chemist's shop, sparking his interest in surgical tools. After his first business venture failed, he persevered and, with the help of businessman Merwanji Cama, started Godrej Brothers, which became a trusted brand for locks.