On The Road: Istanbul, New York, Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas

Not gonna lie, I’m pretty lucky to have the opportunity to hit all these major cities on business.  Istanbul is for fun, because I’ve heard amazing things about it, and I’ve always wanted to go.  And so is Vegas.  Because…well.  It’s Vegas and it is the new thing for my family to do when we all get together.  I’m down.

Itinerary:

Istanbul: September 14-September 22

I’m getting there and I’ll be traveling the city by myself for a few days, and then meeting up with my grandfather for the last 4 days.  Is it sad that I”m super stoked to eat tons of good food and drink lots of good tea?  I don’t know why, but that’s what I”m kind of obsessed about.  According to my friend, there is lots of amazing vegetarian food there, so that makes me happy.  I think what excites me the most about Istanbul is that I imagine it to be a mix between the crazy good energy/friendliness of Mumbai + the order/sophistication of a Rome or maybe a Paris.  I don’t know- I think I’m just really excited to get out of my element, get our of my comfort zone, and just be in a place where I can absorb everything around me.

New York City: September 22-25

I think I am probably the biggest nerd ever because it’s been a dream of mine to attend the Clinton Global Initiative, and this year, I finally got an invite!  I don’t know why, I think I just want to see what it’s like to be in a room full of really important people.  I got to attend a session with President Clinton at Clinton Global Initiative University last year, but I have never seen Barrack Obama speak in person- I believe he is supposed to be giving the closing plenary key note.  Pretty excited about that!  Also, they’re hosting an informal CGI U meet and greet- and Chelsea Clinton is supposedly going to attend, which should also be pretty neat as well.  I just hope I can keep it together and not completely embarrass myself.  I think I can, I think I can.

Boston: September 25-October 2nd

I’m mostly going to Boston because a) meeting with some potential lawyers, and b) hopefully meeting with some smart people from the Deshpande Foundation.  A lot of their activities take place in Hubli, but their management team is all in Boston.  I spoke with Desh Deshpande for literally 10 minutes last month, and he basically made me rethink our entire investor pitch (in the best way possible). I can’t even imagine what 30 minutes will do for our business!  I’m also speaking with some people regarding valuations/how to place a value on our company (levers etc…)  We’ll see what happens, but I think I’ll at least be a little bit wiser than I was coming in.  That’s the goal at least.

San Francisco: October 2nd-October 10th

Need to do lots of corporate housekeeping, but I am am super stoked about taking advantage of the new partnership between the Indian bank, HDFC, and Wells Fargo .  This is huge because it means you can transfer money from an American corporate account to an Indian corporate account (i.e. Foreign Direct Investment) without having to go into the American branch every time.  Banks like Citibank already have this feature, but considering that the minimum amount needed to start the account/minimum balance is MUCH higher than HDFC, I think we’re sticking with HDFC for now.  I’m also meeting with our amazing advisors, and getting a new Visa.  Yes, I was a genius and I lost mine.  Long story.  Always keep a copy of your visa somewhere.  ALWAYS.  And of course visiting everyone in the Bay! I’m also really craving Brazil Cafe.  I may have to go there every day.

Los Angeles: October 10th-12th

Meeting with our accountant, and of course seeing the family.

Las Vegas: October 13th-15th

It’s Vegas.  Enough said.

And then it’s back to India!

I actually think I’m really going to miss my daily Paneer Tikka, Pani Puri, Idli Vada Sambar, and of course the Indian filter coffee.  Is that weird?