Meet Sathya Shankar, Once An Auto Driver, Founder Of Bindu Jeera Masala Soda, Whopping Net Worth

We often come across some success stories of entrepreneurs, which leave us in awe. Here comes another success story of Sathya Shankar, whose only inspiration was Dhirubhai Ambani. Sathya Shankar is the founder of Bindu Jeera Masala Soda. Back in 2002, when Sathya visited North India, he came up with the idea of incorporating distinct jeera flavours into a drink, and thus, he launched Bindu Jeera Masala. 

From zero capital to boundless dreams, Sathya Shankar has now made his place on the list of successful entrepreneurs in India. For the unversed, today Sathya owns a company whose annual turnover is Rs. 800 crore. He also owns a luxurious car worth Rs. 11 crore. Now, let’s dive deep into Sathya's success story.

Sathya Shankar started his journey as an auto driver

Born in July 1964, Sathya Shankar hails from Bellare, Karnataka. His father was a farmer and he is the third son of his father. Sathya is a class 12 dropout. He started his journey back in 1984, when he was just 18 years old. He applied for an autorickshaw license. After Sathya managed to get the license, he took a loan under the central government’s self employment scheme to buy an auto.

Sathya used to drive the auto on the streets of Bangalore. However, within a year, he managed to pay off the loan and purchased an ambassador car. Earlier, with his auto, Sathya could only drive around Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada district, but with the taxi, he could take tourists and cover a larger area within the state.

Sathya Shankar embarked on a journey as an automobile industrialist

Soon after, Sathya realised that sticking only to driving was limiting him from achieving his dreams, he started an auto parts business in 1987. He named the auto parts business as Praveen Automobile. Then, within a year, he observed another trade in demand, that is, the sale of vehicle tyres. So, in 1989, he inaugurated a tyre shop, Praveen tyres. During this period, Sathya also learned about every small detail of finance. He closely observed how customers bought parts on credit and later paid in instalments.

Using this experience, he started the Automobile finance industry, Praveen Capital in 1994. What sets Sathya’s Praveen Capital apart was that it provided loans to buyers purchasing second-hand vehicles and also to new buyers at a small interest. Currently, Praveen Capital contributes to Rs 240 crore to the Group’s total revenue.

Sathya Shankar established SG Group

Sathya’s SG Group has its headquarters in Puttur in Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka. According to a report by Republic World, Sathya Shankar’s business, SG Corporates, started back in 2001 with a modest investment of Rs. 35 lakhs. By 2006, the company saw significant growth, with a turnover of Rs. 6 crore. In 2010, Sathya’s SG Corporates made a significant milestone with revenue that surpassed Rs. 100 crore. Now, according to a report by The Wall Magazine, Sathya’s SG Group has several verticals, ranging from Praveen Capital to Megha Fruit Processing. The Group offers over 55 products ranging from beverages to snacks.

Sathya Shankar’s journey from Bindu Mineral Water to Bindu Jeera Masala Soda

In 2000, Sathya started his packaged drinking water, Bindu, which means 'drop' in Kannada. To set up the packaged drinking water factory, he chose the Narimogeru area near Puttur, Karnataka. He had two thoughts behind setting up a factory in that area. One was that Puttur receives steady rainfall, which ensures a reliable water supply, and the other thought was that he wanted to generate jobs for migrants who came to the state in search of jobs.

Now comes the interesting part: The rise of Bindu Fizz Masala Soda. In 2002, a trip to North India with his friends changed Sathya’s luck. During the trip, Sathya came across a soda-selling shop, where the seller was found adding jeera powder and salt to the drink. This gave Sathya the idea that if the same drink could be made with a twist, it could become a very good product. And thus, the idea gave birth to Bindu Fizz Jeera Masala. However, it initially failed to impress the buyers, but eventually, the product became one of the favourites. Today, the flagship brand is a major source of revenue for the SG group.

In 2003, Sathya established Megha Fruit Processing, a 60.5 million USD company with a strength of 2000 employees. The company manufactures ready-to-serve beverages, packaged drinking water, pulp-mixed soft drinks, fruit drinks, potato chips, and other namkeen packaged food products. According to a report by The CEO Magazine, the company’s present target is to reach Rs. 1,000 crore in beverages by 2026, and then the next target is Rs. 10,000 crore.

Sathya Shankar also established a fruit juice and snack-producing brand

In 2004, Sathya launched a fruit juice brand named SipOn. The brand produces various flavours, like mango, apple and pink guava. The production work was done in the Narimogeru factory, which is the same place where Bindu Mineral Water packaging was done. In 2009, he launched a snack-producing brand in the same area, Snak Up.

Sathya Shankar tied the knot with Ranjitha Shankar in 1992

We all are well aware of the phrase, behind every successful man, there is a woman, and that is the case with Sathya Shankar. Sathya tied the knot with Ranjitha Shankar in 1992. She does not only support the family, but is also an integral part of Sathya’s businesses. Ranjitha is the executive director of The House of Bindu. 

However, it is worth mentioning that not only Ranjitha but their children are also involved in Sathya’s businesses. Their daughters, Megha and Mahima, and their son, Manasvith, also hold a dignified position in the business. Megha and Mahima are both directors of The House of Bindu.

Sathya Shankar’s net worth

Sathya Shankar owns a company whose annual turnover is Rs. 800 crore. He owns a luxurious car worth a crore. According to a report by India.com, the luxurious car is Rolls Royce Phantom VIII. The reported price of the car is around Rs. 11 crore. The report also states that the car is specially made for the 60-year-old, Sathya.

Sathya Shankar's journey sets the example of where there is a will, there is a way. His journey is full of inspiration for the people who dream big. Let us know what you liked the most in his successful journey.

Also Read: Meet Vishal Mega Mart's Founder, Ram Agarwal: Once Ran A Photocopy Shop, Owns A Rs. 6,500 Cr Empire

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