From 10th Pass Office Boy to CEO: How Dadasaheb Bhagat Built India's Canva

Some people turn dreams into reality with sheer hard work and determination. Dadasaheb Bhagat, from a small village in Beed, Maharashtra, is one such inspiring example. From working as an office boy at Infosys with a salary of ₹9,000, he is now the CEO of his own company — a homegrown alternative to Canva.

Dadasaheb Bhagat’s Journey:

• Humble Beginnings:
  Born in a drought-prone region of Beed, Dadasaheb completed only his 10th grade. Education was not a priority in his family.

• First Jobs:
  After completing a short ITI course, he moved to Pune and started earning ₹4,000 per month. Later, he joined Infosys as an office boy with a salary of ₹9,000, performing tasks like cleaning, managing supplies, and assisting guests.

• Inspiration at Work:
  While at Infosys, he noticed employees earning good money by working on computers. This inspired him to explore a career in digital skills.

• Learning Design:
  With a background in painting learned from a local temple artist, Dadasaheb began studying graphic design and animation. He balanced learning by day and office work by night, quickly mastering digital design.

• Starting His Own Venture:
  Instead of looking for a high-paying job, he launched his own company, Design Template, creating design templates and resources for clients.

• Overcoming Challenges:
  During the COVID-19 lockdown, he moved back to his village despite poor internet and electricity. Setting up computers near a local cow shelter, he continued his work, turning obstacles into opportunities.

• Recognition and Growth:
  His design templates gained nationwide recognition, and even Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciated his efforts, linking it with the Make in India initiative.

Dadasaheb’s journey proves that vision, talent, and persistence can transform even the humblest beginnings into extraordinary success.