Rishab Mahajan is the young entrepreneur behind City on Pedals, an experiential travel company based in Amritsar, and a game changer in offering original, fun and informative cycling tours of the city, as well as offering village experiences in the Punjab countryside and mouthwatering street food tours! Here’s his 15 Questions in 5 Minutes.
1. Who you are (naturally!)
I am an introvert, a techie, and a progressive team leader.
2. What inspired you to create your business?
I spent over 4 years in Japan, where I learned a lot about the value of excellent service. I am deeply influenced by the Japanese way of life and business. In 2015, I decided to quit my job in Japan to start 3 organizations in my hometown of Amritsar. One of my companies, Statusbrew – https://statusbrew.com grew to achieve a TTM (Trailing Twelve Months Revenue) of USD 1M all while we were working from our small hometown. With the desire to promote my city and push it to become one of the top destinations on global travelers, I and my partner came up with the idea of City On Pedals – an eco-friendly hyperlocal yet scalable travel company.
3. An anecdote which epitomizes your India?
People honking in a hurry on the roads and yet always being late!
4. One thing that you can’t live without?
The local food
5. One thing that you hate?
The one thing that puts me off is the “denial of the real problems to avoid confrontations and responsibilities”.
6. If you could change one thing about India what would it be?
I would like us to collectively come together to solve the most critical problems that plague our society, such as lack of opportunities for the youth, degrading quality of air and water, cleanliness, and poverty.
7. Who is your greatest inspiration?
My mother was my greatest inspiration. She continues to inspire me to this day.
8. What is your favourite quote?
A Japanese Quote – “幸せは目の前” – Shiawase wa me no mae – Happiness is in front of your eyes.
9. I have noticed huge changes in India over the last few years but what is the biggest change you have noticed in India over the last 10 years?
Internet connectivity has changed a lot of things in our country, for better and worse. I am delighted to see affordable and good quality internet connectivity that has opened so many opportunities for small to large enterprises and individuals. However, the widespread false propaganda and irrelevant content has led people to believe in false realities and has also led to a decreased level of tolerance and discourse.
10. What do you think are the biggest challenges India faces over the next ten years?
Diminishing levels of trust, tolerance, and being happy with the wrong circumstances is what I feel are one of the biggest threats of our society. I hope we can learn to trust one another, have discourse, and come together as a society.
11. Which is the destination at the top of your bucket list?
Dharamsala, Chandigarh, and Rishikesh
12. What is the one place you visited that you have NO desire to return to?
There is no such place. I could say that I saw the worst in people when they came asking for money, commercializing the last ceremonies of a member of my family. It was a horrible experience, and I despised all those activities and events. But I still want to go to that place to try to understand the motivations behind their actions.
13. Book or Movie?
Book – The Power Of Your Subconscious Mind
14. Just for fun! I am doing a survey to find India’s most popular breakfast, what is yours?
Vada Pav
15. In retrospect, what is the one thing you wish you could have told your 20 year-old self?
Being strict with time and having schedules. Also, keeping in touch with friends and family members.
