Karthik never saw the shop as just a repair center.
To him, Celestial Technologies was a prototype — a model of efficiency, trust, and proof.
And it had passed its test.
In just six weeks, it had grown from a dusty corner repair desk to a streamlined, full-time operation, staffed with two workers, a regular cash flow, and growing credibility.
But Karthik wasn't interested in running one successful shop.
He wanted a system that could scale.
He wanted Celestial to become a network.
The First Reinvestment
By the end of the month, Karthik reviewed the business ledger with Ravi.
Total revenue: ₹18,400
Monthly expenses (salaries, rent, supplies): ₹9,200
Net operating profit: ₹9,200
No donations.
No school freebies.
No feel-good moves.
Karthik had one goal: reinvest every rupee.
"Double parts inventory. Add more high-turnover items — Walkman heads, speakers, calculator chips," Karthik said.
"And the rest?"
"We rent one more table in the next block. I want to start a resale counter."
The Resale Counter
Ravi and Mahesh helped clear a space in an adjacent building corridor, 100 meters from the main shop.
Karthik branded it:
Celestial Resale – Trusted Used Tech
The idea was simple:
Fix broken gadgets
Clean and repackage
Offer low-cost, working electronics to students, teachers, and small business owners
The first week:
3 tape recorders
6 calculators
2 early desktop keyboards
5 mini speakers
All sold.
Net profit: ₹2,100.
Hiring for Growth
With the money from sales, Karthik brought in one more hire: Sajid, a calm, skilled technician from Royapettah who had worked with electronics in Mumbai before returning home to care for his ailing father.
Sajid wasn't cheap. But he was fast, precise, and loyal.
"You don't haggle," Sajid said after their second day.
"I don't underpay good hands," Karthik replied.
Celestial was no longer a one-shop operation.
It was becoming a team.
Karthik's Time Management
Despite everything, Karthik never skipped class.
Morning lectures, afternoon labs, teacher interactions — he did it all.
By 3:30 PM, he was in the shop.
He created a time sheet for himself:
3:30 – 4:00 PM: Daily review
4:00 – 5:00 PM: Strategic operations
5:00 – 6:00 PM: Staff planning, ordering
6:00 – 8:00 PM: Deep work, major repairs, or meetings
Saturday was for vendor sourcing.
Sunday was for planning and forecasts.
"No free days until I free my future," he wrote in his notebook.
The Long-Term Blueprint
One night, Karthik opened his ledger and drew five boxes:
Repairs – Stable income
Resale – Scalable profits
Tech Refurb Kits – Coming soon
B2B Servicing – For small offices and schools
Micro Franchise Model – Partner model in rural towns
Underlined below:
"By end of year:
₹1,00,000 in profit
3 locations
10 employees
Zero loans
Full ownership"
This wasn't a dream.
It was a blueprint.
The Banker's Visit
A local co-operative bank manager, curious about the growing foot traffic, dropped in.
"You don't have an account yet?" he asked.
"I operate on cash for now," Karthik said.
"We can offer a small business account. Even future funding."
Karthik nodded politely.
But in his mind, he already knew:
"No debt until I have leverage.
No equity until I own the story.
No partnerships until I'm the strongest voice at the table."
Final Notebook Entry
"This isn't expansion.
It's evolution.
Celestial Technologies will not beg to grow.
It will build on earned ground.
No public moves until I own private power.
Wealth before war.
Position before reform.
Every rupee today is a vote for my future."