Success Calling: Gurpreet Singh

Here's the success graph of Gurpreet Singh, owner, Arrow PC Networks, and how he became a proud owner of a successful IT company from working in a company selling printers on phone

Initial Days

What started as a basic calling job has today metamorphosed into a full fledged business for Gurpreet Singh, owner, Arrow PC Networks. Recalling his initial days, Singh shares, "I started my career as a sales executive with an IT company. I used to do cold calls to sell HP desk jet printers which were just launched. Then I changed one more job and started selling HCL computers. After almost 2 years of experience I started a partnership company selling consumables and office stationery. We used to deliver those on two wheeler!"

Getting Into The Business

Singh recalls how his ambiguity with his boss was the trigger factor that led him start his own business. "I started my own business as I was not happy with my reporting manager. I was sure about my selling skills but there was no financial support. I had hardly 5,000/- in my hands."

Singh entered into entrepreneurship in partnership, in the year 1995. Ten years later, in 2005, he split with his partner and started his own company.

Flattering Feats

"For almost 5 years (2005-2010) we did retailing of notebooks and desktops but I was always interested in doing corporate business. We got a big opportunity in the year 2010 and that was another milestone for us. After that we have been doing the corporate B2B business only," said the proud man.

Currently Arrow boasts of a strong team of Key Account Managers handling business for almost all big IT OEMs and selling solution to corporates. The company, focused on selling solutions, has revenues growing more than 100% YoY.

The Tough Times

Financial support was always a challenge that Singh faced. He recalls, "When we got our first 50, 000/- order, there was no credit available to us. Family and friends were always a great support and we could somehow manage to grow. Than after I split from partnership I had to again start from scratch and proving myself to my new team and the market was a big challenge."

Besides, surviving with other big and established partners with experience and support of OEMs, was also a major challenge that Singh faced in his initial days.

Success Mantra

"Play to WIN, not to DEFEAT," is what Singh follows in life. "I always play fair and maintain good reputation with people I deal with. We work to earn profit as well as trust of our customers and associates. Treat everyone with respect and don't expect much in return," he opines.

A Word For Budding Entrepreneurs...

Singh believes in hard work and conveys the same message for the budding and young entrepreneurs. Other advices that he shares are, "Always be ready to compromise small term gains against the long term, and, treat your employees, distributors, vendors and customer as your partner in growth."

Life Sans Work

Singh is an ideal family man and loves to spend quality time with his loved ones, whenever free. He is a foodie and loves the 'delicious home cooked food' by his wife. Singh is also an ardent reader and also enjoys watching comedy movies.

Future Front

Singh aspires to be a leading integrated IT service provider by creating value for people through delightful and innovative high quality service. That apart, he wants to be the most 'preferred' by his customers, vendors and employees.

Poornima Bajwa Sharma

(poornimab@cybermedia.co.in)