Some encounters last only a few minutes, yet they leave a lasting impression.

During the TiE Global Retreat in Marseille, France, while everyone else continued the walking tour under the scorching summer sun, I quietly settled under the shade of a tree. A few moments later, Kanwal Rekhi joined me. We exchanged just a few words before rejoining the group. Looking back, I only wish we had taken a photograph to preserve that memory.

As Bhaskar and I were leaving the hotel, we picked up a copy of The Ground Breaker. (My only regret is missing the book-signing session!)

During our flight home, Bhaskar, a lifelong entrepreneur, became completely engrossed in the book. Every now and then he would pause to read aloud a passage that resonated with him. That was only natural. After all, entrepreneurship has been his life’s journey for more than three decades.

I, on the other hand, am a homemaker turned author. I have always been fascinated by real-life stories, especially when they belong to someone I have had the privilege of meeting. Unlike a film, where every scene is presented exactly as the director envisions it, a book allows each reader to imagine the conversations, emotions, and moments in their own unique way. That, to me, is the magic of reading.

As I turned the pages of The Ground Breaker, I realized it is much more than the autobiography of a successful entrepreneur. It is the story of resilience, bold decisions, failures, reinvention, perseverance, and, above all, the spirit of giving back.

The book also serves as a fascinating chronicle of the evolution of Silicon Valley. It paints a vivid picture of the years before the internet transformed the world, the changing perception of Indian immigrants, and the remarkable journey from a generation that came to America seeking opportunities to one that went on to create opportunities for countless others.

One thought from the book stayed with me throughout:

“Success isn’t about individual achievement; it’s about collective impact.”

Those words immediately reminded me of my husband, Bhaskar. Throughout his 33-year entrepreneurial journey, he has rarely measured success by personal wealth. Instead, he has always spoken about the number of jobs created, the families supported, and the opportunities generated. Reading Kanwal Ji’s philosophy felt like seeing the same belief expressed through a different life story.

Another idea that resonated deeply was:

“Identify the problem and find the solution.”

It sounds simple, yet it is a philosophy that extends far beyond entrepreneurship. Whether one is a homemaker, an artist, a teacher, a social entrepreneur, or a business leader, meaningful work often begins by recognizing a problem and having the courage to solve it.

Kanwal Ji also writes that “Entrepreneurship is a calling, not a choice.” That sentence made me pause.

During the pandemic, I discovered my passion for writing. Looking back, writing itself felt like a calling. Choosing to nurture that calling, however, was my choice. Perhaps that is true of every meaningful journey in life. We recognize our purpose first, and then we choose whether or not to pursue it.

There are many more lessons in this book that deserve reflection, but I would rather leave them for readers to discover on their own. Those associated with TiE will especially enjoy revisiting the organization’s humble beginnings and witnessing its extraordinary growth into a global movement that has nurtured entrepreneurs across continents.

Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned business leader, or someone who simply enjoys stories of resilience and purpose, The Ground Breaker has something valuable to offer. It is not merely a business memoir. It is a book about vision, perseverance, leadership, mentorship, and building an ecosystem where others can thrive.

True groundbreakers don’t just build successful companies; they build people, communities, and lasting ecosystems.

No remarkable journey is ever walked alone. I especially appreciated how Kanwal Ji acknowledged the unwavering support of his wife, Ann, throughout his journey. Her quiet strength, belief, and partnership shine through the pages. Behind every visionary is often someone who shares the dreams, embraces the sacrifices, and walks the journey alongside them.

Congratulations, Kanwal Ji, on a life so thoughtfully documented and generously shared. Your story will undoubtedly inspire generations of entrepreneurs to dream bigger, persevere longer, and measure success not only by what they achieve, but by the opportunities they create for others.

Congratulations as well to Ben for bringing this remarkable journey to life through the visual medium. I look forward to watching it.

Happy Reading!

P.S. For those unfamiliar with Kanwal Rekhi, he made history as the first Indian-American founder and CEO to take a venture-backed company public on the NASDAQ. His pioneering journey not only broke barriers for Indian entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley but also paved the way for generations of founders through his mentorship, investments, and his instrumental role in building TiE into a global entrepreneurial network.