Name: Kiran Ravindra
Year: Freshman
Major: Business
Hometown: Columbia, SC
Tell us more about your business and the concept of it.
Carbon Trim Solutions was founded in 2012 as a luxury brand for automotive enthusiasts, based on a single product, the original Carbon Trim Case. What began as the world’s first 100% carbon fiber case has now featured in such publications as Business Insider, Yahoo! Business, and DuPont Registry.
Why is this something you’re passionate about?
I’ve always had great interest in exotic and luxury cars, as well as ultra high-end brands (the marketing and designs of which my company originally drew upon). At the same time, I’ve always been a very entrepreneurially-minded individual — these two interests sort of intersected a few years ago when I founded CTS as a luxury automotive lifestyle brand. For those who are not familiar with carbon fiber, it’s a synthetic material which is used widely in the construction of luxury vehicles like Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, and many others. In the past few years, it’s also gained popularity in other luxury lifestyle applications such as luxury timepieces like Hublot and Audemars Piguet.
What is your position at Carbon Trim Solutions and what does it entail?
I am currently the CEO of Carbon Trim Solutions. We have a few independent contractors and interns responsible for web design, customer service, and product fulfillment, in addition to our manufacturing and product design staff. Being CEO of a small but high-grossing company is a particularly interesting and invigorating, though stressful position, as you still are involved in every minor detail of operations on almost every level. I think a lot of people simply hear “CEO” and immediately think of a lavish and busy lifestyle filled with phone calls, emails, and big checks, but there’s a lot more to it than that.
Do you have a particular clientele that your products are geared towards?
Our clientele range from general automotive enthusiasts to high-net worth individuals who drive such exotic cars as Lamborghinis and Bugattis. We’ve also sold to many members of royal families of various countries and celebrities around the world, but cannot disclose much more information regarding these particular people as we do greatly value our customers’ privacy, given the nature of many of their backgrounds and careers. To better understand our target market, pick up a copy of DuPont Registry or Business Insider, both of which we’ve been featured in.
How would you describe your success so far?
I would describe my success as roughly what I’ve strived for over the past few years. Although I’d decline to disclose any specific figures or numbers, I live comfortably, drive a Mercedes and live in a nice apartment, but that’s really not why I do what I do. “Success” is a very broad term, and I would generally be argue it’s never really achieved, as it’s much more complicated than that. Always raise the bar, and never stop striving to learn more, develop more skills, and help others reach their own goals. Continued progress is true success in my opinion.
What are you future goals?
As mentioned before, it’s all about progressing forward and constantly challenging yourself. It’s all too easy to become complacent and get lazy every once in a while, but as one of my favorite quotes by billionaire entrepreneur goes, “work like there is someone is working twenty four hours a day to take it all away from you”, because as you will learn, sadly, this is all too true. I have plenty of personal goals and benchmarks in mind, but as one of my other favorite quotes goes… “There are 2 rules for success. 1.) Never reveal everything you know.”
What advice would you give others wanting pursue similar goals?
Don’t sell yourself short. Don’t let anyone take advance of you, or worse yet, discourage you because you’re younger than them. Don’t accept disrespect from others just because they’re older than you, and never act your age — be professional, aggressive, and never expect anything to fall into your lap. If you want something, go out and get it.
If you would like more information about Carbon Trim Solutions, go to their website here.