Shailesh Thakkar| Expert's Insights April 25' Magazine Edition

Shailesh Thakkar's story didn't start with opulent offices or luxurious boardrooms. It started on the ground—literally—among cables, stage configurations, and sleepless nights in the background of someone else's event. But amidst all the initial chaos, he discovered clarity. It wasn't day one's grand plan. It was a step-by-step ascension. With an innovation-oriented heart and a learning-oriented mindset, He dived into the business of corporate events and exhibition booths. The goal wasn't just to get into the business—it was to know it like the back of his hand. And as he grew, so did the aspiration. From fantasizing about being a Pvt. Ltd company, FoxFire reached that milestone when he was only 23 years old. Today, his sights are on establishing clients in Fortune 100 companies, a gesture that appears more of a strategic second act than ambition.

One moment of definition that continues to ground his business philosophy wasn't for the client or the sheen of the event itself. It was respect. When he was starting out, observing the disrespect and courtesy-lacking handling of ground staff instilled a value system so powerful, it became policy. FoxFire sub-vendors and ground workers are never an afterthought—they are the foundation. That ethos isn't a marketing ploy. It's practiced every single working day. Like with any upstart business, the problems were real and rough. The cycle of credit proved one of the most difficult to penetrate. Clients adhering to 45-90 day payment policies and suppliers demanding immediate settlements made the act of balancing incredibly challenging. It would have pushed others to a point of concession. Shailesh did not give up. Through building faith and open dialogues, he built a pulse with his vendors, some even transitioned to faster payments—just because they had faith in his honesty.

Not all steps were flawless. Early on, FoxFire executed projects just as they were briefed. Just enough. Just on point. But Shailesh saw that true greatness isn't meeting expectations—it's beating them. Now, the "plus one" philosophy is ingrained in every project FoxFire delivers. That tiny tweak ignited huge loyalty. When setbacks arrive, Shailesh doesn't pursue motivational books or high-energy tactics.  When setbacks arrive, Shailesh doesn't pursue motivational books or high-energy tactics. He holds on to a straightforward conviction: Be content with what you are, but never cease challenging boundaries. That thin line between happiness and striving is what makes him different. His objectives aren't driven by benchmark competitors. They're driven by delivering service that establishes new ones.

The key to FoxFire's size? It's surprisingly straightforward: serve better, keep better. Unlike companies that pursue new customers for the excitement of expansion, He concentrated on providing current customers a reason to return. Repeatedly. Irrespective of project size or scope, the standard stays top-shelf. No "this is too small to care" for them. A strange but effective tactic he shares is regarding financial responsibility. Rather than mixing personal and business expenses like most founders do, FoxFire has a salary model for its directors. Everything is accounted for. Everything monitored. It's not sexy—but it's intelligent. And that makes a huge difference when creating something that will last decades.

At the center of hisleadership philosophy  is one unshakeable fact—employees are 

everything. FoxFire doesn't operate on people,  it operates with people. From social outings to  insurance, the priority is keeping the team feeling noticed and protected. And when risk-taking is on the agenda, he doesn't bet. Choices are pulled from real-world experience. Every risk is calculated, not spontaneous. 

In industry trends, time has become the actual currency. On-time delivery is no longer an option—it's expected. But he thinks the actual explosion is yet to come. With IT and AI transforming the way people communicate and consumer interact, he foresees the events industry doubling its market cap within the next five years. His advice to other businesses? Leap into the change, don't shun it. Informing the client is no longer an option, it's mandatory.

He is not afraid of debunking myths either. "You don't require funding to set up a business," he insists. "What you require is self-confidence, effort, and a mind constructed for the long term." Folks tend to mistake scale with startup money, but Shailesh is evidence that a strong mindset trumps a plump bank balance.

Today, despite a Youngpreneur, but an established one, he shares: Become an expert in your field in the first 48 months. Dive deep, not broad. And shoot for the top, always. Remarkably, he thinks the top is less congested than the middle. There's less commotion up there—just more clarity. "Trust is the most costly gift. Cheap individuals can't pay for it."