When Kalpesh Started with Deliveries and Grew Into the One Running the Apparel Business
- by: Jatin Chaudhary
At eChai, we’ve been capturing stories of founders and the people who stood with them at the very beginning. These are the first hires, the ones who took responsibility early on, grew with the company, and shaped the founder’s journey in ways far beyond their job description.
Here’s how Pankaj Bhimani, Founder of 58miles, remembers his first hire, Kalpesh Vaghela:
“Seven years ago, we were hiring for a junior role in our corporate apparel business. We had posted ads on WorkIndia and Apna, and that’s how Kalpesh Vaghela came in for an interview. He was applying for a very basic position, deliveries and accounts.
I asked him a few fundamental questions, and his clarity impressed me. Even though the role was small, he showed a spark that made me want to bring him in. From day one, he started picking up tasks that weren’t even his. If there was something pending on my desk, he would step in and finish it. That ownership was rare.
Over the years, Kalpesh completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees while working with us. His dedication, hard work, and growth mindset never wavered. Slowly, he moved from managing small deliveries to running the entire apparel business on his own.
The biggest advantage of having Kalpesh has been this, he took over the entire business, which freed me completely to focus 100% on building 58miles. That freedom was possible only because of his trust and ownership.
People will make mistakes if you give them responsibility, but that’s how they learn and grow. Kalpesh is proof of it. What started as a junior role became the backbone of my entrepreneurial journey.”
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