ELI - 487 | From Schoolyard Hustle to Corporate Gifting King: The Consortium Gifts Story & More

In this episode of the ELI Podcast, we sit down with Gaurav Bhagat, the founder of Consortium Gifts, India's fastest-growing corporate gifting company.Gaurav shares his incredible entrepreneurial story, which began at just 16 years old when he created and sold a stock market board game and the iconic WWF trump cards. He walks us through his accidental entry into the corporate gifting world, the evolution of Consortium Gifts, and the immense scale of the industry today.In this episode, we discuss:- The founding story of Consortium Gifts.- The size and explosive growth of the corporate gifting industry (estimated at $5-6 billion in India).- The shift from China-sourced to "Make in India" products.- Technological innovations like AI, 3D printing, and SaaS platforms that are changing the game.- The key stakeholders in corporate gifting, from HR to sales and marketing teams.- Gaurav's other major venture as the official licensee for Grant Cardone in India.- His powerful advice on embracing AI in your career and why you shouldn't fear it.- The raw, unfiltered truth about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a business leader, or just love a great startup story, this conversation is packed with invaluable insights and inspiration.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction to Gaurav Bhagat, Founder of Consortium Gifts00:48 - Early Life: An Entrepreneur in the Making02:14 - First Ventures: The Stock Market Game & WWF Trump Cards03:41 - The Accidental Founding of Consortium Gifts05:44 - How Big is the Corporate Gifting Industry?08:12 - The Supply Chain: From China Dependence to "Make in India"10:21 - Tech & Innovation in Corporate Gifting (AI, AR/VR)13:07 - The Business Side: How to Acquire Clients and Key Stakeholders15:50 - The Power of Tangible Gifts vs. Vouchers & Tax Implications19:08 - Key Challenges: Competition and Price Wars22:18 - The Grant Cardone Venture: Becoming a Top Sales Trainer26:27 - Why You Must Embrace AI in Your Career31:24 - The Hard Truths About Entrepreneurship36:08 - Closing Remarks