Different people, different passions, but the same enthusiasm for OYO is what makes us a great place to work at. In today’s Open Mic, we talked to Rahul Fatnani who was a part of our early Expansion Team and went on to launch the brand in various cities on his bike. Read about his adventurous OYO journey here.
OYO is known for its tremendous reach and you were an early part of the Expansion Team. Tell us more about it.
At OYO, life is always on the move and it was even more so in the early days. The expansion days involved launching our brand in new cities, hiring a local team and training them and defining what strategies will work best for that particular city. Even though we hustled, attention to local geographies and tastes were a building block of our business plan.
Is it true that you travelled on your bike for most of your projects instead of taking a flight? How was the experience?
Whenever I had a chance, I preferred riding my bike instead of flying. I rode to Indore, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Jaipur and Goa for work. This gave me a sense of independence and a chance to explore and know the city better and on my own terms. I feel that this helped me in executing my projects more efficiently. Also, whenever I have the time, I take a quick ride to the suburbs. This is the most refreshing sort of a break for me.
Any one story that strikes you out of your travels as unforgettable? Would you like to share it with us?
Absolutely! One memory that stands out is OYO’s launch in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha in mid-2015. Our expansion in the state was fast. In a short span, we had successfully on-boarded 50 hotels. But the 50th was most special for me as I am a graduate of Xavier Institute of Management. This 50th hotel is situated just outside my college and getting a chance to watch these two in one frame was a dream come true.
Another memory that I would like to share is an adventurous one. After having launched OYO in Leh-Ladakh, and a day before my flight back to Gurgaon, I decided to ride up to Pangong lake, located at a height of 4,250 metres to take our traditional visiting card launch picture. While there, the weather changed suddenly and it started raining heavily. There was a landslide which left me stranded on the lake for 2 days without any connection to the base in Leh. Now, that was one scary adventure that I will never forget.
How did you manage to indulge your passion while working at a start-up?
I have great managers and colleagues, who have not only supported me in my endeavours, but have also accommodated my luggage while I was away for unpredictable duration of time. Also, when your work involves a lot of travelling, one thing you look forward to most is a comfortable place to rest. I got a chance to stay in our hotels across various destinations, plus surprise visits and audits are always fun.
What’s your advice for youngsters who want to join OYO?
Working at OYO gives you a chance to hustle, take risks, to make decisions with a sense of ownership and to deliver on your responsibilities. But it’s a place for you only if you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and do the hard work. The atmosphere supports learning, personal growth along with fun and socializing.
Rahul works with the Business Development team in Goa currently. He started his professional career with Zomato after finishing his MBA from XIM Bhubaneswar in 2013. Rahul is also a part-time DJ and a full-time wanderer.
