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From Corporate Stability to Space Classrooms: A Real Story of How to Start a Business with Purpose and Persistence
Learn how to start a business from Shreedevi Roogi’s journey – from corporate leader to startup founder – covering leadership skills, bootstrapping, STEM education & business growth.
• Chaitra Divate • Category: Udyoginis Stories/ Stories
• 6 min read • Mar 26, 2026
Introduction: Where the Thought of How to Start a Business First Began.
Not every entrepreneurial journey begins with a bold leap. Often, it starts quietly – with a thought that gradually becomes difficult to ignore.
For Shreedevi Roogi, that thought took shape in Hubli, where she was raised in a joint family grounded in discipline, responsibility, and strong values. Growing up in a gender-neutral environment, she developed a natural sense of independence and confidence early in life. She learned to take ownership, speak her mind, and stand by her decisions.
Her professional journey followed a well-defined path. After completing her MBA, she built a successful corporate career spanning over 13 years with organisations such as Accenture, Dell, Sabre, and EY. The experience brought stability, recognition, and global exposure.
Yet, beneath this structured success, a deeper question began to emerge – one that was less about career progression and more about purpose. It was the question of how to start a business, even when everything seemed stable on the surface.
The Shift: From Corporate Comfort to Starting a Startup
Transitioning from a stable corporate role to entrepreneurship is rarely a straightforward decision. It involves uncertainty, resistance, and a willingness to step into the unknown.
For Shreedevi Roogi, the turning point came during her notice period. In a single day, she received multiple calls from former colleagues seeking her support for projects. That moment provided clarity – her expertise had value beyond a formal job structure.
This realisation led to the formation of her first startup, Write Your Destiny (WYD), a recruitment venture built on her professional experience.
Simultaneously, she ventured into a completely new domain – space science. With her husband’s encouragement, she co-founded Himalayan Space Centre (HSC) despite having no prior background in the field. It was not a decision based on certainty, but on conviction and a willingness to learn.
Building with Purpose: STEM Education and Space Science
HSC was built with a clear purpose: to bridge the gap in awareness and accessibility within space science education.
While students often show curiosity about space, structured exposure remains limited in many educational systems. Recognising this gap, Shreedevi Roogi focused on integrating space science into practical, hands-on learning experiences.
Through space labs and training programs, HSC began introducing students to new possibilities, encouraging them to explore careers beyond traditional pathways.
At the same time, WYD continued to grow as a recruitment firm, connecting talent with opportunity while also creating pathways for more women to enter the workforce.
Starting from Scratch: The Reality of Bootstrapping
The early stages of the journey were constrained.
There was no external startup funding, no institutional backing, and no financial safety net. The business was built entirely through bootstrapping, using personal savings and reinvesting initial revenues.
This approach demanded discipline and careful decision-making. Growth was gradual but intentional.
Bootstrapping also reinforced a strong foundation, ensuring that every step contributed to sustainable business growth rather than short-term expansion.
Early Challenges: Trust, Acceptance, and Market Reality
One of the most significant challenges was building trust in an unfamiliar concept.
When introducing space labs to schools, the idea was often met with scepticism. To address this, Shreedevi Roogi chose a practical approach – she established a functional lab in Hubli to demonstrate its value.
This shift from explanation to demonstration played a key role in building credibility.
On the recruitment side, operating from a tier-2 city presented additional challenges. Aligning candidates with corporate expectations, managing mindset differences, and navigating hiring dynamics required consistent effort.
These experiences shaped her understanding of running a startup in a dynamic environment.
Finding Direction: When Business Growth Became Visible
Today, HSC has developed over 50 space labs and expanded across multiple states. A notable shift came following Chandrayaan-3, which significantly increased awareness of space science.
As interest grew, so did opportunities – marking the beginning of steady and measurable business growth.
Work Life Balance: Choosing Clarity Over Compromise
For many Women in Business, balancing personal and professional responsibilities remains a complex challenge.
Shreedevi Roogi approached work-life balance with clarity from the outset. Despite societal expectations to step back after marriage, she remained committed to her career.
A key factor in this journey was her husband’s decision to take a one-year break to manage early childcare responsibilities. Over time, her family aligned with her priorities.
Her approach to work-life balance is rooted in practicality – being transparent, seeking support, and building systems that allow both personal and professional commitments to coexist.
Discipline and Routine: The Foundation Behind Consistency
Sustaining a startup requires more than motivation – it requires discipline.
Shreedevi Roogi follows a structured routine that includes early mornings, physical activity, and mindful practices such as meditation. Regular walking, limiting distractions, and maintaining a simple lifestyle help her stay focused.
She also places strong emphasis on mental conditioning – visualising goals and maintaining a positive outlook.
For her, energy management is critical, as it directly influences consistency and performance.
Lessons on How to Start a Business
When reflecting on how to start a business, Shreedevi Roogi’s perspective is rooted in practical experience.
She emphasises the importance of understanding one’s strengths, being willing to learn, and asking for help when needed. One of the most important skills she highlights is the ability to communicate and sell one’s ideas effectively.
Coming from a non-technical background in space science, she invested time in learning and adapting, which enabled her to build credibility over time.
Her journey shows that taking action brings clarity rather than waiting for it.
Advice for Women in Business
For aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly Women in Business, hesitation is often the first barrier.
Shreedevi Roogi’s advice is straightforward – start before you feel fully ready.
Confidence develops through action. Taking initiative, asking questions, and learning along the way helps build momentum.
Support systems may not always be visible initially, but they often emerge as the journey progresses.
Conclusion: A Journey That Continues to Evolve
Shreedevi Roogi’s journey reflects the realities of entrepreneurship – uncertain, evolving, and deeply personal.
From exploring how to start a business to building ventures across recruitment and education, her path has been shaped by persistence, adaptability, and purpose.
It is not a completed story, but an ongoing one.
Because building a startup is not about having all the answers – it is about taking the first step and continuing forward with clarity and intent.