Choosing a stable corporate job over entrepreneurship is often considered the safer option. But one man's decision to reject a placement at TCS and build a rice business instead is now drawing attention online after his story was shared on social media.

According to an X post by social media user Ankit Pandey, his friend turned down a job offer from TCS despite being warned that it was "the biggest mistake of his life." Years later, Pandey claims the decision has paid off, with his friend now earning around Rs 25 lakh a year through his rice business.

From campus placement to building a rice brand

Sharing the story on X, Pandey said his friend chose to pursue entrepreneurship instead of joining the IT giant.
Rather than taking up the corporate role, he began sourcing rice directly from farmers across multiple villages and states. The rice is then cleaned, packaged under his own brand and supplied to a network of 200 fixed retail shops. According to Pandey, this direct sourcing model has helped build a profitable and sustainable business.

How the business works

Pandey also shared a breakdown of the business model behind the venture. According to the post, rice is purchased from farmers at Rs 35 per kilogram. Packaging adds Rs 3 per kilogram, while transportation costs another Rs 2, taking the total cost to Rs 40 per kilogram.

The packaged rice is then sold to retailers for Rs 50 per kilogram. Retailers, in turn, sell it to customers at around Rs 55 to Rs 57 per kilogram. This leaves a reported profit of Rs 10 on every kilogram sold.

Supplying 20,000 kg of rice every month

Pandey claimed that his friend's business now supplies around 200 quintals, or 20,000 kilograms, of rice every month to its retail partners. Based on the figures shared in the post, the entrepreneur reportedly earns around Rs 25 lakh annually through the venture. Ending his post, Pandey posed a question that sparked discussion among users: "Would you reject a TCS job for a business like this?"

Internet reacts

The post sparked a debate online, with many users discussing whether entrepreneurship was a better choice than a corporate career. One user questioned the financial calculations, pointing out that warehouse rent and operating expenses had not been considered. In response, Ankit Pandey clarified that his friend owns the warehouse, so there is no rental cost.

Several others praised the decision, saying higher risks often bring higher rewards and that the entrepreneur was now seeing the returns on a bold career choice. Some argued that people who are willing to take calculated risks are more likely to achieve their long-term goals.

Another user said that owning a distribution network and building a business rooted in the real economy could, in many cases, outperform a conventional corporate salary, regardless of one's educational qualifications. Meanwhile, one commenter claimed that many blue-collar entrepreneurs now earn more than employees in companies.