Reach for the skies.

This has been my motto since school. Now I use it to help MSMEs soar.

Anand Saravana Raj Entrepreneur ⭐ Consultant ⭐ Author
20+ Years of Experience
Entrepreneur since 2008
Contrarian & Structured Thinker
Upcoming Author
Who I am

The person behind the work

With over two decades of experience across banking, consulting and entrepreneurship, I've learned that numbers alone don't define a business. Behind every balance sheet lies intent, effort and decisions that shape results. Over the years, I've worked with entrepreneurs at every stage, from early founders to fast-growing MSMEs. One insight stands out: understanding why businesses struggle is as important as knowing how they grow.

I bring a practical mix of financial acumen, strategic clarity and on-ground business experience to help founders see their business the way funders do.

I'm known for asking the right questions, cutting through the noise and turning roadblocks into clear, actionable steps. For me, consulting is about creating clarity, focus and measurable progress in every business I work with.

My approach

Clarity first, action next.

I work closely with entrepreneurs to
  • Simplify business complexity
  • Create processes and systems
  • Make businesses fundable and scalable
What I believe

Values I stand for

Integrity

I believe in honest conversations and transparent advice. Even when the truth is uncomfortable, business owners deserve to see the complete picture.

Simplicity in complexity

Businesses can become complicated very quickly. I like breaking things down, finding what really matters and bringing clarity to decisions.

Action over theory

Ideas have value only when they are put into action. I focus on practical steps that can create measurable progress.

Responsible growth

Sustainable growth comes from doing what is right, not what is quick. Whether through my work with entrepreneurs or my association with Rotary and Seyal, I believe progress must create a positive difference for people and communities.

Origin story

How it all began

Even as a schoolboy, I was drawn to the world of business. While most kids read just comics, I read business magazines as well. My father, a professor, filled our home with books and that helped me develop a strong reading habit. I still begin my day with the newspaper.

Reach for the skies — a phrase I created myself in school when I dreamt of becoming a fighter pilot. It became my personal motto, and it continues to guide everything I do today.

After completing my BE in Mechanical Engineering, I attempted the Pilot Aptitude Battery Test (PABT). I did not clear the test and since it can be taken only once, my flying dream ended there. That setback shaped my journey in a different way. I went on to pursue an MBA, worked with Repco Bank and later with Sutherland Global Services, before finding my true calling in entrepreneurship. My first venture began in 2008, followed by two more in 2015 and 2018. Each phase added new lessons, experiences and a deeper understanding of how businesses grow and succeed.

Along the way, I've realized that being a contrarian helps me see opportunities others often overlook. I question assumptions and look at challenges from the other side. I also call myself a "lazy problem solver" because I like finding faster, smarter ways to get things done. With a balance of left and right-brain thinking, I enjoy working with numbers as much as creating new ideas.

These experiences shaped my approach to consulting. I focus on what works in the real world, simplify complexity and bring structure to growth. My goal is to help entrepreneurs strengthen their businesses, improve financial health and become truly investor-ready.

The journey so far

My Experiences

From banking to businesses to frameworks. Not a linear path. A series of deliberate moves, each one focused on gaining new skills, broader exposure and a deeper understanding of how businesses work.

2002

Repco Bank

Started as Assistant Manager, learning how institutions assess money, risk and businesses. Saw first-hand why businesses get funded and why they get rejected. That view from inside the system became the foundation for the fundraising work I do today.

2005

Sutherland Global Services

Handled financial and manpower planning across India and Philippines. This gave me global exposure and first-hand experience of how large corporates plan, budget and execute business plans. It strengthened my understanding of financial planning and the importance of aligning people, resources and projections.

2008

Mify Jobs

Left the security of a job to build something of my own. Within two months of starting, the global financial crisis hit. That first year taught lessons about survival and cashflow discipline, which have stayed with me since then.

2015

Shareone and Shareone Creatives

My second venture: back-office support and digital marketing services for small businesses. This is where I learned, up close, how MSMEs actually operate. I began to see the everyday challenges business owners face, from managing people and processes to finding customers and maintaining profitability.

2018

ASR Ventures

Founded ASR Ventures to help MSMEs and startups raise funds. This brought together two sides of my experience: understanding how businesses are evaluated from the financial side and understanding the realities of running a business.

Ongoing

Consulting and Advisory

100+ businesses consulted across services, retail, manufacturing and professional services. Working closely with businesses across Tamil Nadu has given me a ringside view of how different businesses grow, where they get stuck and what holds them back.

2025

Frameworks

Built the Business Performance Meter, a structured diagnostic tool shaped by years of facing business realities. The idea was simple: convert experience and observation into a structured way of understanding where a business really stands.

2026

Author Upcoming

Writing a book on fundraising in India, bringing together years of experience, insights and practical framework into knowledge that founders can use directly.

Where I draw strength from

My Inspirations

My parents and grandparents have been my biggest influencers since childhood. Their values shaped how I think, work and live. Along with them, I continue to draw inspiration from these three people.

Avvaiyar

Avvaiyar

Tamil poet & philosopher

“கற்றது கைம்மண்ணளவு, கல்லாதது உலகளவு”

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

Former President of India

“Dream, dream, dream. Dreams transform into thoughts and thoughts result in action.”

Sir Ratan Tata

Sir Ratan Tata

Industrialist & philanthropist

“None can destroy iron, but its own rust can.”

Giving back

Community Leadership

Rotary Rotary

Past Assistant Governor

I joined Rotary in 2016 and have served in several leadership roles, including President of Rotary Club of Madras North and later as Assistant Governor of Rotary International District 3233. Rotary gives me the opportunity to give back to the community and contribute to causes that create a positive difference in society.

Since 2016
Seyal Seyal

Executive Director, Seyal

I serve as the Executive Director of Seyal, a learning and implementation community for entrepreneurs. It is a matter of pride for me to have been associated with Seyal since its conception. I have played an active role in shaping, building and growing Seyal into a global forum for entrepreneurs.

Since 2020
The other side

Beyond Business

There is more to me than just business.

Traveller Traveller

I love to explore new places and cultures

I've travelled to four countries and many parts of India. Every journey has given me fresh perspectives, new ideas and stories that inspire my work and life. Travel keeps me humble. It reminds me how much more there is to learn and see.

Film buff Film buff

Films are my gateway to understanding people and emotions

I enjoy world cinema, especially dramas. Each film leaves me with something to reflect on. Movies often shape my thinking and help me see life through different eyes.

Foodie Foodie

Food connects people, cultures and memories

From street-side snacks to five-star dining, I enjoy exploring different cuisines. Each meal is an experience, a discovery of taste and tradition. Food for me is not just about eating but about experiencing stories through flavours.

Let's stay connected.

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