Built a Career platform for 1,000+ CAs without any funding
Entrepreneurship
India
25 Years
It was not a glamorous start. Having grown up in a small town in Jharkhand, where further studies were not the conventional course of action, I was the first member of my family to move away from the conventional practice of following the family business. On finishing my early education in my hometown, I shifted to Kolkata to study Chartered Accountancy. I was elected during my stay as a Student Council Member of ICAI and also completed my articleship from a Big 4 firm, getting hands-on industry experience.
I was sharing a flat in Gurgaon with my roommate Kaushik, and we kept thinking about how lost we both were when the CA results came out—no advice on securing jobs, going for placements, or entering the corporate world. Kaushik had already begun conducting mock interviews and guiding first-time employees during weekends. There was one session when he became busy, so he asked me to take it over. Although reluctant, I tried it out—and that's when I understood how much of an impact we could make.
What began as spontaneous weekend mentoring gradually evolved into an on-going endeavor, fueled by the affection and confidence of our mentees. We chose to provide free advice, including mock interviews, salary negotiation, job-hunting strategies, and career path clarity.
The response was massive, and in no time, we had created a robust network of 1,000+ CAs, with YouTube videos, podcasts, and live sessions. That's when we decided to name this movement—Guidance Adda.
Today, our mission is clear: to empower CAs—students and freshers alike—to get the mentorship we never had. We're now growing with new podcasts, interview prep books, and additional resources so that each CA enters their career with confidence, clarity, and control of their professional future.
“We didn’t have ads, investors, or a roadmap. Just two friends/roommates, and a mission to make sure no CA ever feels as lost as we did.”
What motivated you to become an entrepreneur?
Kaushik (my partner in crime and also one of my cofounders) initially started taking sessions and mock interviews on weekends—he genuinely enjoyed meeting new people, understanding their challenges, and helping them. I got into it by accident, when Kaushik asked me to step in. To my surprise, it went well, and soon, I found myself getting more involved in the sessions.
We decided to offer these mock interviews for free for a while, and the impact was incredible. Encouraged by the overwhelming response, we decided to formalize it—starting with the name Mock Interview Planner. As word spread, we connected with professionals across industries, recorded YouTube videos, hosted podcasts, and built a strong community of 1,000+ CAs through WhatsApp channels.
What started as a small initiative has now grown podcasts, interview preparation books, and more, ensuring that aspiring CAs have everything they need to succeed in their careers.
How did you turn your idea into a business?
We knew that to truly make an impact, we needed a structured approach—one that could cater to freshers, experienced CAs, and students alike.
That’s when we launched Aarambh, a 5-10 day mentorship program designed to guide freshers through every step of their job search. Each batch covered introductions, industry expert sessions, HR insights, domain-specific guidance, group discussions, LinkedIn and AI tool workshops, resume reviews, and mock interviews. Seeing its success, we expanded our reach by creating Ashoka, a dedicated job-posting group for experienced CAs, where we continuously shared openings and helped professionals find better opportunities. To support CA students preparing for exams, we started Tejas, offering structured guidance on clearing CA exams with confidence.
While we introduced a token fee for mock interviews and Aarambh batches, we kept our masterclasses and other initiatives completely free, covering costs ourselves. Our goal has never been to make money—it has always been about giving back and guiding more people toward success.
How did you get your customers?
Our primary audience has always been CA freshers, and the best part? They found us, not the other way around. From the very beginning, word-of-mouth was our biggest strength. Every time a mentee secured a great job or performed well in interviews, they shared their success—and so did we. By posting mentee achievements on LinkedIn, we not only celebrated their wins, proved we were doing something, but also inspired more people to join us.
To add more value, we launched a weekly Hackathon series, where we taught essential skills based on real-world corporate experience. These sessions covered everything from resume building, Excel mastery, and industry insights to negotiation tactics and LinkedIn optimization—practical knowledge that freshers often miss out on.
But what truly set us apart was our mock interview process. The impact of these interviews was undeniable—mentees walked into real interviews with confidence, aced their rounds, and secured amazing offers. Soon, Guidance Adda became a movement, spreading like wildfire through LinkedIn, WhatsApp, and professional circles. What was started by us in college, quickly turned into a trusted platform for career transformation.
How are you funding your startup?
Our startup is entirely bootstrapped, built from the ground up with our own resources. We've reinvested our time, effort, and personal funds to grow Guidance Adda, ensuring that our focus remains on impact rather than immediate profits. Every initiative we launch is driven by our commitment to empowering CA freshers and professionals, rather than external funding.
How are you doing today and what plans for the future?
Today, Guidance Adda is thriving, with a strong network of CA freshers, experienced professionals, and students who trust us for career guidance. What’s working? Our structured programs, mock interviews, LinkedIn strategy, and word-of-mouth referrals have been instrumental in our growth. The impact is real and tangible. Our mentees have landed exceptional roles, and our community continues to expand.
Of course, the journey hasn't always been easy and without challenges. Scaling operations while maintaining quality, missing early monetization opportunities, and balancing our personal commitments were some hurdles. However, some of our best decisions, like leveraging LinkedIn for organic reach, launching hackathons and masterclasses, and fostering strong industry connections—have helped us grow. Timing also played a role; with the increasing demand for skilled finance professionals, our initiative gained traction at the right moment.
Looking ahead, we have big plans. We are gearing up to launch a series of books covering domain-specific interview questions for finance roles, helping candidates prepare with real-world insights. Additionally, we’re expanding our offerings with various upskilling masterclasses to ensure our mentees stay ahead in their careers. And to streamline everything, our official website is currently under development, which will make accessing our resources even easier. Our goal remains the same, empower CAs with the guidance, skills, and confidence to build the careers they truly deserve.
What advice do you have for budding founders?
Focus on impact over perfection—start small, but start now. The best opportunities come from action, not overthinking. Build trust, stay consistent, and let your work speak for itself
What’s the most unexpected thing you’ve learned about entrepreneurship?
Entrepreneurship isn’t just about ideas—it’s about execution and resilience. The most unexpected lesson? People don’t buy services; they buy trust. Build genuine relationships, and success will follow.
What is your proudest achievement so far?
One of our biggest milestones was being featured by LinkedIn, a testament to the impact we’ve created in the CA community. Beyond that, the recognition from industry leaders has been incredible—several top firms (names confidential) have approached us to discuss collaborations, acknowledging the value of our work.
Perhaps the most humbling moment was when a Shark Tank founder’s company reached out, offering support and potential funding. While we’ve remained bootstrapped by choice, this validation reinforced that Guidance Adda isn’t just a platform—it’s a movement shaping the future of young finance professionals.
What role has your family or support system played in your entrepreneurial journey?
Family and a strong support system have been the backbone of this journey. Coming from a small town where entrepreneurship wasn’t the usual path, their encouragement helped me break traditional norms and pursue something bigger. Friends, mentors, and my co-founder have also played a huge role—whether it was brainstorming ideas, handling challenges, or celebrating small wins, their belief in our vision kept me going. Entrepreneurship can be a lonely road, but with the right people around, it becomes a shared journey of growth and impact.