Growing up in gritty East San Jose, Calif., Gurbaksh Chahal struggled to fit in. Emigrating from India with his family at age 4, he wore a traditional head covering for Sikh children called a patka to school. It was just one cultural difference that his pint-sized peers bullied him about. But instead of succumbing to what he recalls as a "wild, wild west for minorities," Chahal leaned into his close-knit family for the strength that would become his entrepreneurial fuel.
He dropped out of high school at 16, started a business and never looked back.
Fascinated by online advertising and the "concept of a click," Chahal founded ClickAgents in December 1998. Less than two years later, he sold it for $40 million. Staying hungry for growth, he started online advertising network BlueLithium in 2004. Yahoo Inc. bought it within three years for $300 million. The latest entrepreneurial venture for Chahal, now 29, is RadiumOne, a fast-growing ad network that leverages social data on the Web.
Related Video: Chahal on Timing a Business Sale
In this interview with 'Trep Talk, Chahal's tone is sharp and determined, yet quickly softens when he speaks of family. The serial entrepreneur, who also published a memoir, The Dream (Palgrave Macmillan, 2008), offers insight on staying competitive, making the most of defining moments, and the one thing he changed that shifted his outlook on life. Edited interview excerpts follow.
On breaking free from bullies: My focus was to think: 'OK, I'm not going to have the most friends, be prom king or the most popular student – but so what?' I fell in love with the Internet, with business and the idea of being in control and knowing that my destiny was in my own hands. I became more determined than ever to succeed.
I'm inspired by… my family. When my parents were working, my grandmother was their equivalent. There was a sense of belonging at home, even though at school I was told differently. My grandmother would always comfort me and say it's all going to work out one day. As a kid it made me realize: 'Maybe she's right, maybe it will.' The DNA of having discipline, ambition, making someone else proud and believing in yourself doesn't have to come from business, it can come from nurturing.
Success Tip: Don't focus so much energy on what you've lost, focus on what you need to win. There will be times when you may lose $1 million in deals. You'll think it's the end of the world, but the next day you may make $1.2 million. Nothing is meant to always work out. You just need a Plan B.
On staying competitive: Many [business] people focus on what is static, black and white. Yet great algorithms can be rewritten. A business process can be defined better. A business model can be copied. But the speed of execution is dynamic within you and can never be copied. When you have an idea, figure out the pieces you need quickly, go to market, believe in it, and continue to iterate.
Biggest business influence: The best CEO of our time, Steve Jobs, for his vision and mastering the execution of it.
Related: 10 Things to Thank Steve Jobs For
My proudest moment… was seeing the look in my father's eyes when I told him that I sold my second company [for $300 million]. He didn't have to say anything.
On defining moments: You'll probably have two or three really bad days in a year. Those are pivotal points where every decision is instrumental. You have to have a very thick skin and be more focused on solving the problem than worrying about it.
Stress-taming tactic: I disconnect from technology for a weekend, generally once a month. You almost need to so you can think and appreciate what really matters in life – family, friends, your health. I let loved ones know where I am, in case anything happens. But if something does go wrong then I'm not doing my job right, because I should be hiring people who can problem-solve on their own.
Attitude adjuster: When my grandmother passed away I created a slideshow with pictures of her and me. Anytime I need motivation or hit an obstacle, I replay it.
Advice for young 'treps: People still stereotype all day long. But if you forget your own age, you'll get so focused on the business that you become ultra-confident and people will forget to question how old you are.
Biggest challenge: We have 120 amazing [employees] and we're growing fast, so it's about finding the next 120 people who share the same culture. I'm a true believer the assets go home at night -- and your assets are your people.
When faced with rejection… embrace it. This will change the entire way you look at life. Whenever someone says they're not interested in working [for me] or buying [from me], it fuels my competitive side. It may not be today or even next year, but I will carefully design a strategy to get a 'yes.' And when a 'yes' fuels you more than the actual deal or opportunity, you can embrace rejection in a much more competitive way.
Favorite book: [Sun Tzu's] The Art of War has a way of broadly looking at life and I've incorporated it into my business philosophy.
If I knew then, what I know now… I would still drop out of high school. (Chuckle.)
Secret quirk: I love Twinkies. I stay away from them as an adult, but I had a love-hate relationship with them as a chubby kid growing up. Last time I had one was three years ago. You can't just have one.
A big turnoff is… when people approach me and say, 'I have a million-dollar idea and it's going to be amazing.' They think just an idea will make them millions. That's not the way business really works. It's about executing the hell out of your idea -- better than anyone else.
What's next: We're launching two massive projects by the end of the year where we'll get closer to the consumer and help make advertising more like information. We're also aggressively expanding internationally. We'll launch in Australia, Canada and France in the fourth quarter. With that, based on the way revenue and profit grows, [RadiumOne] could be on a 12- to 15-month track to an IPO.
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Comments:
Totaly inspiring :')
Chahal, i was very much inspired by how you started your business after facing so much challenges.When i saw you on DSTV with your sister ,i was really touched to see you helping the less priviledged.May God bless you.You deserve to be what you are. God chose you for a reason.
There was a sense of belonging at home, even though at school I was told differently. My grandmother would always comfort me and say it's all going to work out one day...
Truly inspiring, hear more stories at http://www.entrepreneur-stories.com (It's not for profit, no worries)
Demonstrating that entrepreneurs are made often by their challenges. One big example of success should not be the end of the entrepreneurial journey. Thanks Chahal for the insight.
I am truly inspired by this story. Our goal is to make delighta the first software company have 1 billion mobile phone subscribers. Let us see if we get there. Suyog Bhobe co-founder, www.delighta.com
Because the crowd is stupid and too distracted by Lady Gaga, Politics and gossip on facebook to notice more than 140 characters. He got the likes from the indian community who love him.
Burning desire, determination to execute the plan and being creative thinker is the characteristics of Mr.Chahals
amazing feature, needed it at the right moment of my entrepreneurial voyage
Very inspirational. Thanks u
I had my defining moment earlier this year and I have not looked back. Lots of true words written here - be determined and don't give up and most importantly - closure. You must close out what you start whether that is an idea which needs developing or a new client to be signed up. It's a cliche, but don't start what you can't finish.
very inspirational.
Mr. Gurbaksh Chahals' words are really inspiring and his determination is superb. I love Internet selling and this makes preparation of making decisions I have to make easier for me. Author thanks for this. Send me more invites for these kinds of stuff. :-)
Very Inspiring!
ya, 1 and a million to make money on internet, lucky
True Inspiration.! Way to go, Gurbaksh Chahal. Great example of what one can accomplish if focused on "executing the hell out of your idea -- better than anyone else".!
Man what I could learn in a week hanging out with this type of go getter!! Motivational Steroids!! His us up on davevsthemachine let's discuss!! http://davevsthemachine.wordpress.com/ www.rewimbi.com Rewimbi represents surfers’ aspirations to help save the oceans
I was really inspired by this article and this amazing entrepreneur and think we can all achieve our dreams and aspirations if we open our hearts enough to change and grow
Ran across your site while I was looking for information and facts for our website, needless to say it’s not all releative however its surprising how you can reach a web site accidentally and discover your self looking through something very different. Business Loans
Wanted MOOOOOORE! I want to get inside this guys brain and sit in it! Then travel to his heart and eat it! I want his power!! So inspired.
Don't let Millionaire Matchmaker Patti Stanger pick up on this story ... all will be lost!
You can't imagine the number of conquerors this article is going to produce. Inspiring.
Im about to start my day and this just gave me a great boost. well done.
Great article. Very inspiring.
I read stories like this and wonder "what is it that this person has to be so great at what they do and then to make some great money out of it?", most people are great at something and have passion for it, even if they don't know what it is, but many people also don't know how to make money out of it. Reading stories like this over the years has made me realize that determination, motivation to do better, great support system, embracing rejection (with a thick skin) and general common sense seems to be what is greatly in common with these people. Education seems to help in many cases but this is the case that proves that even a high school drop-out can make it really big. I dropped out of high school at 15 myself, I'm 29 now. I started a business a few years later at 18, at 22 I sold it for a good amount but something got stuck inside of me saying that was the best I would do... I didn't see it until I read this article. I have this hunger inside of me to do it again but this evil little voice has dampened my motivation, I think it's time to pull out my ideas book (an A4 notebook I keep with 1 business idea/description per 2 lines) and see what is next. Thanks for the article and kick up the butt!
I like when he has mentioned .... "Don't focus so much energy on what you've lost, focus on what you need to win." That is very very true and makes lot of sense as well ..... Nilesh shah
truly inspired..........
Inspiring article and it is true that we have to execute the Idea well - not just having an idea is enough ! Great...
Life starting here not end here everyone? If you Trust on yourself so everything is possible.
I grew up on the East Side of San Jose too and your story is very inspiring to me!
Like Elbert Hubbard said:"Every man's work, whether it be literature or music or pictures or architecture or anything else, is always a portrait of himself".
inspiring one !!!!
And that is why, boys and girls, age and education are over rated!
Great stuff!
@les_madras:disqus more like resilient. Did you not read the beginning? He had to overcome diversity in his area with success, and he did that very well. When you're down in the trenches and you come out on top, you have the right to be anything. That's called resilience.
The article was very much interesting and though provoking. All the best Gurbaksh!
I read it by chance as I have yet to be Social Media expert. In spite of being an extremely positive person having tremendous resilience - reading it gave new perception to challenges in life and a credo ! thanks.
Great story Teri. I wonder why this hasn't been as much a news as Aaron Petzer's story about Mint.com getting acquired for 170M.
What i don't understand is why last year he was running FB ad's to increase his likes. With such awesome wins over the years why did he still need the approval of the crowd ?
self-absorbed?
they are first and foremost immigrants...... what does that tells you about pure "Americans"?
well said
very inspiring young man
I'm glad to see that Gurbaksh's favorite book is Sun Tzu's Art of War and that he's incorporated the book into his business philosophy. Thomas Huynh, founder Sonshi.com, dedicated to Sun Tzu's Art of War
...someone keeping it real...very positive words :)
Gurbaksh - As your name suggests (Gods Blessings) you have made yourself, your family and most importantly God proud of what you have achieved. I am an IT consultant with 8 years experience in Melbourne and but have always aspired to be a Real estate property developer. I am full-filling my ideas/passion and more so the dream with hardwork, strength and support provided by my family and reading your post gives me the urge to go out and conquer. I am 29 as well with 7 properties and aspiring to grow exponentially - So your saying just beleive in yourself is the key and thats what i am doing...Hope to have a catch up with you one day to talk about successes as thats what i believe in. Cheers kamal Director: B.S Bhasin P/L
I am always inspired and awed by the sheer will and determination of people who "make it", because of their own strengths, confidence and beliefs, and not because it was inherited, or in the family already. Thank you for sharing.
now these are the Americans that will turn this country around. No excuses. Pure drive, intelligence, creativity and passion. Love it! Congrats!
Now these are the Americans that will turn this country around! No excuses. Pure drive, creativity and passion!
truly inspirational personality ...
Awesome job! So proud of you.
you should read "The Dream" by Gurbaksh. get inspired!
Not only a great story, but a well written article. Everyone has this competitive nature, it just needs to be found. Take no prisoners and always look for the next opportunity to build upon an already strong foundation. If somone says, 'no', find another avenue that makes them want to say 'yes'! To me, if I hear 'no', I tell myself, that its only a matter of time. The only questions that surface after that 'no' is when? how many? and where will it ship (or how will the activation work)? Truly inspiring. Best of luck to you Gurbaksh! Many continued successes! Marty
I heard that 'Radium One Labs' is just an outsourced dev team. Is this true? Why don't you just hire some developers?
I have to say you do inspire me I have spent many years of my life in search of making it in IM. It seems that it's harder than I expected to be honest. I have tried so many different ideas as I am some what entrepreneurial, however even with good inventive ideas it is very hard to market and get it out there. My father always taught me to never give up at something you believe in, I have just started up my SEO business after teaching myself all aspects of search engine optimization without any type of help. I am hoping to not only provide it as a service to business's, I would like to visit them and teach Staff in house as well. To be honest things never happen by themselves it's true and you have to commit and keep that determination up. I spend 16 hours a day on my business ideas, I wake up at 6.30 and do not sleep until very late. My girlfriend says I'm brain washed, I say when the money comes in you will be asking me for things. Cheers -Lee
Chahal's story is so inspiring. Need I count the ways? There's the immigrant angle: little tot born in India, comes to America with is parents, and grows up to be the typification of the American dream. Then there's the underdog handle...how many dropouts do you know up who end up being the navigators of their own $300 million dollar ships? There's so much to be motivated by, and to be inspired by, in this young man's story.
Gurbaksh Sir has inspired me lot, after i watched that Fox's Secret Millionaire,in which he stared. So,down to earth and awesome person.Now,i'm gonna buy his Book called The Dream.Sir You made indians Proud. http://www.techanol.in/