28-Yr-Old India Lady Is The Founder Of EduFund, A Platform That Helps Parents Plan Their Kids’ Future

“At 23, I was living on the Upper West Side of New York & working on Wall street…I was living ‘THE DREAM!’ but life felt monotonous.

I moved to India, Lonavala specifically, to live with Grandpa. At the peak of my career, I paused.

My decision surprised a few, but Amma & Papa said, ‘Do things at your own pace.’
I disconnected from the corporate world. Instead of scrolling through emails, I started my day with meditation & Yoga.

I’d spend time with myself, reflect & think about what I’d do post my sabbatical. I didn’t just want to climb the corporate ladder… but I didn’t know what I’d do.

So, after aligning myself for 2 years, I came to Bombay & worked at an asset management firm. The answer came to me when I met Arindam.
Arindam was my colleague–like me, he too, wanted to leave an impact.

Once, in between conversations, when he learned I had to drop out of Columbia because I couldn’t afford the fees; he was zapped! On talking, we realized that there would be many like me, who, despite having good scores, couldn’t go to college because it’s too expensive! It reminded me of my Dad, who paid his student loans until I, his daughter, was 13! It occurred to me then, ‘Maybe I can help?’

I suddenly had clarity–this is what I was going to do! Arindam was on board!
We spoke to parents from across age groups & realized that most parents had the ‘Baad mein dekhenge’ attitude when it came to their kids’s higher education; it was alarming.

To change that, in 2020, we started EduFund—a platform that helps parents plan their kids’ future—from planning investments to arranging counseling sessions.

At 28, I was starting over for the 3rd time, I was nervous & excited. I was looking forward to creating an impact in India!
The initial few months were laced with self-doubt, but I kept telling myself, ‘It will all work out!’
And it did– parents started approaching us. Word of mouth did its magic & little by little, our community grew!
Recently, one of our clients, a mother, came up to me & said, ‘Thanks to you, my kid’s future doesn’t worry me anymore!’ I want to ensure that there will never again be an Eela who had to drop out of college because she couldn’t afford the fees.”

EduFund

Written by: Rhea Bose

Source: Humans of Bombay

Email: elora.akpotosevbe@yahoo.com