Deep Kalra Success Story: From Bowling Business Failure to MakeMyTrip Success

Deep Kalra is the founder and CEO of MakeMyTrip.com, the largest online travel agency in India which he founded in April 2000. MakeMyTrip offers online travel services like hotel bookings, airline tickets, domestic and international vacation packages, taxi bookings, train reservations, and bus tickets. The company currently operates 59 retail stores across 37 Indian cities in addition to a full-service online portal and has a presence in two international markets: New York and Sydney.

Kalra, whose net worth is estimated to be $136 million, was given the #1 position on KPMG’s list for the most powerful digital influencer in 2011. Let’s know more about him!

Quick Facts:

• Name: Deep Kalra
• Nationality: Indian
• Net Worth: $ 136 million(2020)
• Education: Stephen’s College, Delhi University, India; Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad
• Occupation: Businessman
• Designations: CEO of MakeMyTrip
• Date of Birth:1970
• Age:52
• Place of Birth: Hyderabad, India
• Marital Status: Married
• Spouse’s Name: Amrita Kalra
• Children: 2, son & daughter (Manya&Armaan)
• Spoken Languages: English, Hindi
• Hobbies & Interest: Travelling, Yoga, Swimming, Adventure sports.

Early Life:

Deep Kalra was raised in Delhi and Ahmedabad but he was born in Hyderabad. Deep enrolled himself at St. Stephens College to pursue a degree in Bachelor of Economics in Delhi in 1987. He then went to IIM-A to get his MBA. He had the obvious choice of choosing a secure job as everyone else was doing after earning his MBA at the age of 23 and he did so.

Career Summary:

He joined a position in the banking industry with ABN Amro Bank. After joining his first job, he felt excited initially, but after working in banking for three years, he realised that this is not something that he really wants to do in his life. He then left ABN Amro and took a break for about a year to consider his options. By leaving his secure job at ABN Bank, which paid well, Deep Kalra took a significant risk. He brought AMF Bowling, an American business hoping to break into the Indian market and launch the 10-pin bowling revolution there.

However, the business did not succeed, and he returned to his mundane, everyday private job. He believes that his personal failure greatly encouraged him. Deep thus started his new entrepreneurial journey with the online travel company MakeMyTrip with the support of eVentures and the help of co-founders Rajesh Magow, Keyur Joshi, and Sachin Bhatia after realising the potential of the internet.

The Struggle to MakeMyTrip:

IIM-A graduate Deep Kalra established MakeMyTrip in 2000. It was first used to enter the US market in 2000 to serve the needs of the Indian community living abroad for travel from the US to India. Prior to that, he began constructing the bowling alley in the 1990s while taking a break after leaving the ABN Amro Bank. But even measuring locations and constructing the bowling alleys required moving from one place to another. After 4 years of operation, the company was forced to close because it couldn’t compete with huge chains like McDonald’s. Although Deep’s finances suffered, it was an excellent entrepreneurial experience.

He made the decision to join GE Capital to lead Business Development with the intention of starting something on his own later as he felt that he still needed more time and experience. He introduced GE to nearly all of the leading players in the Indian Internet market and assisted GE in growing significantly online.

At that point, he began to sense the potential of the Internet and the disconnect between the people who needed the services and those who were providing them. Just over a year later, he left GE to launch his own company, “MakeMyTrip,” which had a sound business plan. Deep has worked incredibly hard to make MakeMyTrip so successful that it was named the Best Travel Portal India by Prestigious World Travel India in 2013 and 2014.

Personal Life:

Amrita, his wife, and their kids Manya and Armaan all reside in Gurgaon with Deep. He says that he always takes his family on vacations and makes an effort to spend as much time as possible with them. Deep is a family man when he isn’t on the road for business. As a result of his lengthy workdays, he enjoys spending time with his children. A non-profit organisation called I am Gurgaon was founded by Deep. He is also a member of Ashoka University’s governing body. In 2011, Karla topped the list of India’s most effective digital influencers compiled by KPMG.

Awards and Achievements:

• Member of the NASSCOM Executive Council and Chairperson of the Internet Working Group
• Member of the Tourism Subcommittee of the CII
• Great Place to Work Institute listed Make My Trip in, “Ten Best Companies to Work for in India” (2013, 2012, 2011, 2010)
• World Travel Awards recognised it as the “Best Travel Portal India” (2014, 2013)by the ET Retail Awards as the “E-tailer of the Year” (2014, 2013)
• Times Travel Honours recognised them as the “Best Online Travel Service Firm” (2011)

Interesting Facts:

• In 2011, he was ranked first on KPMG’s list of the most significant digital influencers.
• His dictionary does not contain the word “give up.”
• He has nearly 27 years of experience across a variety of industries, including marketing, e-commerce, the corporate world, senior management positions, and financial analysis.
• He frequently emphasised in his motivational speaking engagements that being an entrepreneur is similar to winning a marathon.
• Since IRCTC allowed for online ticket booking via the App, MakeMyTrip has grown in popularity.

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