'I had no training for most things I did in business'

 Ajit Patel is the CEO and founder of n-gage, a 360-degree lifestyle chat app that promises to revolutionise the way people interact with one another.

While n-gage has its own chat, telephone and video calling format, it can be used to send messages across existing social media platforms like WhatsApp, Skype, FaceBook, Twitter and other similar applications.

Ajit went to the United Kingdom to study in 1978 and qualified with a degree in pharmacy in 1982. By 1989 he was the co-founder, chairman and CEO of the Goldshield Group, one of the most successful pharmaceutical companies in the UK. His company was one of the first, by a person of Indian origin, to be listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Ajit eventually sold his stake to make a tidy fortune for himself and is in India to launch his newest business venture, n-gage.

During his time at Goldshield he pioneered captive call centres in Mumbai in 1999 with GTL. Over a course of seven years, he created several thousand back office jobs in India for the Goldshield Group.

His app, which has been developed in Mumbai by a young and dedicated team, is available in IOS, Android and Web versions.

The app claims to have features that are unique -- it can recall a message, keep a message on the receiver's phone for a few seconds and ensure complete control of the message's life in the receiver's phone.

Sudhir Bisht spoke to Ajit Patel, bottom, left, in New Delhi recently.

From being a pharmacist to taking your company to the LSE to coming to Mumbai, how would you describe your journey so far?

My journey has been a fun-filled and fulfilling roller coaster with some highs and a few lows on the way.

As an entrepreneur I have started many businesses -- some failed, some saw moderate to good success and one of them was a major success.

My first pharmacy business in London, Goldshield going public on the LSE, and my hotel business in Goa are clear milestones.

During my time at Goldshield we had offices in three continents: The UK, the US and India and sales in over 65 countries. This exposure with experience in Africa, my birthplace, I got to understand and appreciate the diversity in cultures across the globe and gain a better understanding of people, a key feature in my journey.

Tell us about your initial days in the UK.

Right from the beginning, my stay in the UK has been fulfilling. Other than the normal everyday struggles we all face, I cannot recall anything unusual.

I believe having the right attitude, working hard for what you want and taking no for an answer gets you over any hurdles that are on the path to success.