Interviewer: Thank you for joining us, Mr. Naidu. Your journey from Maharashtra to becoming a global fintech innovator is truly inspiring. Could you share a bit about your early life?
Vijay Naidu: Thank you for having me. I was born in a modest neighbourhood in Maharashtra, India. My father was a state government bus driver, and my mother was a homemaker. We didn’t have much, but my parents instilled in me the values of hard work, perseverance, and gratitude.
Interviewer: You’ve mentioned that academics weren’t your strongest pursuit, yet you excelled in sports. How did athletics influence your mindset?
Vijay Naidu: Sports taught me discipline, focus, and the importance of setting goals. Between 18 and 25, I won multiple awards in cross-country, half-marathon, and full-marathon events—fifteen in total—and achieved a black belt in martial arts with ten gold medals in judo. These achievements showed me that consistent effort and determination can help you overcome limitations. That attitude shaped my approach to business later on.
Interviewer: At 23, you transitioned to entrepreneurship. What sparked your interest in business?
Vijay Naidu: I realized my athletic accomplishments, while fulfilling, weren’t my only calling. My brothers and I got into construction, which gave me my first real taste of entrepreneurship. But it was in 1998, when I discovered direct sales and network marketing, that I truly fell in love with mentoring, leadership, sales and building teams.
Interviewer: Speaking of building teams, you grew an organization of 80,000 distributors and customers. How did you achieve that?
Vijay Naidu: It took hard work, focus, and genuine care for my team. I found that by providing proper training, motivation, and resources, I could empower individuals to grow personally and financially. By 2007, I had helped over 2,500 team members achieve significant milestones like car bonuses. It wasn’t just about the numbers; it was about watching lives transform.
Interviewer: What was the defining moment that led you to the fintech industry?
Vijay Naidu: In 2016, I saw a major gap in financial literacy across India. Many people wanted to invest or explore digital assets like cryptocurrency but had no reliable guidance or education. That’s when I committed myself to bridging that gap—democratizing access to financial knowledge and empowering people to make informed decisions.
Interviewer: You launched a project to provide free financial education to 100,000 entrepreneurs by 2019. That’s a massive undertaking. Why was it important to you?
Vijay Naidu: Education is the first step to empowerment. By offering free financial education, I aimed to level the playing field. Whether you’re from a rural village or an urban center, I believe access to knowledge can help you seize opportunities in emerging areas like blockchain, cryptocurrency, and the financial markets.
Interviewer: Could you tell us about True Vision Training and Consultancy Pvt. Ltd. and your recent initiatives?
Vijay Naidu: True Vision is my platform for delivering financial training and consultancy. In 2023, we partnered with an AI-based company to create advanced tools and programs that help entrepreneurs succeed. We’ve empowered 20,000 entrepreneurs and achieved monthly revenues of over $5 million. It’s incredible to see how technology, combined with the right mindset, can produce such tangible results.
Interviewer: You also mentioned travel opportunities and car bonuses for your team. How do these achievements influence the culture you’re building?
Vijay Naidu: They create a sense of possibility and camaraderie. Around 1,500 people got a chance to travel internationally, broadening their horizons, and 50 team members earned car bonuses under my mentorship. These are milestones that reaffirm our collective belief in growth and reward. It keeps everyone motivated and striving for the next goal.
Interviewer: Your story is truly inspiring. What key message do you want to share with budding entrepreneurs?
Vijay Naidu: You don’t have to let your origin or circumstances define you. Hard work, continuous learning, and a willingness to adopt new technologies can help you overcome any barrier. If I can do it—coming from a simple background—anyone can.
Interviewer: Thank you for your time, Vijay. Any parting thoughts?
Vijay Naidu: I’m grateful for the journey so far. I hope my story encourages others to dream big, stay resilient, and focus on uplifting those around them. That’s the real measure of success.
