#31: Hustling from the mountains: Prashant's passionate adventure
Unravel the inspiring story of how a group of friends built a thriving developer community and created a unique co-living space nestled in the breathtaking hills of Dharamshala.
Today's issue is coming to you straight from the picturesque hills of Dharamshala! Our featured hustler and his four close school friends have trailblazed an alternate path to success.
🏠 They've created a co-living & co-working space in Dharamshala, fostering collaboration and camaraderie.
💻 They've empowered over 500 people to become skilled developers, transforming lives through education.
🌈 They've built an alternative way of life, redefining the hustle and inspiring others to chase their dreams.
From School Buddies to Establishing a Unique Co-Living Space in the Hills of Dharamshala
Our hustler today, Prashant Abhishek, is a college dropout and a developer hailing from a quaint Indian town. Prashant's journey has taken him on some remarkable detours, leading him to establish a unique haven for fellow hustlers to unite and conjure up a little magic of their own in the mountains of Dharamshala. Buckle up, dear readers, as we unravel the enchanting story of Prashant's one-of-a-kind side hustle odyssey!
The Side Project that Sparked a Life-Changing Journey
In 2012, Prashant and his childhood friend, Ankit Kumar, found themselves captivated by the seemingly limitless potential of the internet. The notion that their words could reach readers worldwide through a simple blog post had them hooked. As high school seniors, their curiosity for startups and businesses was insatiable, leading them to launch a blog named Make Venture.
Though they had no grand expectations, Prashant and Ankit dived headfirst into the project, eager to learn and grow. They built their blog on WordPress and consistently churned out content, revelling in the excitement of reaching a modest 100 views daily. However, it wasn't long before they yearned for more customisation options, prompting them to delve into the world of coding.
This newfound desire to create without constraints led Prashant and Ankit to a pivotal crossroads. Embracing their passion, they decided to pursue careers as software developers and enrolled in computer science engineering programs. But after only eight months, Prashant found that traditional education wasn't his cup of tea. Undeterred, he dropped out and ventured to Bangalore, the hub of Indian startups, eager to immerse himself in the world he so admired.
A Journey of Learning, Building, and Growth
Upon arriving in Bangalore, Prashant wasted no time seeking like-minded individuals to fuel his ambitions. He soon discovered Jagga, a vibrant community of passionate hustlers, where he spent a transformative year learning web development and experiencing the power of living and working among those who shared his interests.
Prashant honed his web development skills by tackling projects inspired by the community's needs, such as creating a voting system and establishing a knowledge base. But Jagga's influence didn't stop there. It also allowed him to learn from experienced professionals who guided him in developing essential skills like public speaking, writing, and business acumen.
As Prashant's expertise grew, he ventured into freelancing, putting his abilities to the test. Soon, he built a thriving career, proving that determination and passion can lead to a life of success and fulfilment.
Creating an "Alternate Space" for Dreamers and Doers
As Prashant flourished in his career as a developer, his friends Suraj Kumar, Ankit Kumar, and Suraj Kumar also completed their degrees and made their way to Bangalore. Together, they immersed themselves in various communities and continued building innovative projects. During a community event in Dharamshala, Prashant fell head over heels for the serene beauty of the hillside town. Yearning for an alternative to city life, Prashant and his friends decided to relocate to Dharamshala, where they could work remotely as developers while enjoying a more tranquil existence.
In 2018, the trio realised the high demand for skilled developers and recognised the lack of accessible resources for people to get started. Drawing from their experiences, they crafted a six-month offline course called AltCampus, designed to transform novices into developers. Unsure of how to attract students, they launched a simple landing page and promoted it on Facebook groups. To their amazement, the enrollments poured in!
As their course gained popularity, the number of students swelled to 60, occupying an entire village in Dharamshala. In a bold move, Prashant, Ankit, and Suraj decided to construct a campus from scratch. Eight months later, the new space fostered a stronger sense of camaraderie and unity among the students.
However, when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the trio had to pivot and transition their course online. With the modules now self-paced and mentorship sessions conducted virtually, Ankit and Suraj pursued other work opportunities while Prashant sought his next passion project.
As the course went online, the question of what to do with the offline campus arose. With its versatile design, the space was easily transformed into a co-working and co-living haven, rebranded as AltSpace. Over the past year, AltSpace has thrived as a sanctuary for hustlers seeking a unique environment to live, work, and chase their dreams.
Rather than expanding AltSpace through franchising, Prashant, Ankit, and Suraj envision it as a one-of-a-kind passion project. Their goal is to make AltCampus more autonomous and to focus on nurturing AltSpace as a haven for those who yearn to experience an alternative lifestyle and create extraordinary things. In the heart of Dharamshala, AltSpace stands as a testament to the power of chasing dreams and building the extraordinary.
“My advice is to start small and focus on shipping something quickly. Don't strive for perfection; just make it usable and put it out there. Once people start using your product, you'll be motivated to improve it. Remember, motivation is fleeting, so act on it immediately when it strikes! Don't wait, or you'll be doubting and criticising your ideas. Begin with a minimal, usable version and let the motivation from real users fuel your progress."
Prashant’s advice to anyone starting a side hustle
Hustlers Insights of the Week
Follow Your Passion and Embrace Learning: Prashant's journey demonstrates the power of pursuing passion and remaining open to learning. His curiosity about the internet and startups led him to create a blog with his friend, Ankit. This project ignited a desire to delve deeper into coding, ultimately shaping his career as a developer. Prashant opened doors to new opportunities and experiences by following his interests and continually learning. Similarly, anyone starting a side hustle should be guided by their passions and eager to learn and grow.
The Power of Community: Throughout Prashant's story, the influence of community is a recurring theme. From his time at Jagga to creating AltCampus and AltSpace, being part of a supportive network played a crucial role in his development and success. Engaging with like-minded individuals provided him with the necessary skills and knowledge and fostered a sense of camaraderie and unity. When starting a side hustle, surrounding oneself with a supportive community can lead to personal and professional growth, helping to propel ideas forward and overcome challenges.
Adaptability and Resilience: Prashant's journey is a testament to the importance of adaptability and resilience in the face of change. When traditional education didn't suit him, he chose to forge his own path, dropping out of college and moving to Bangalore. Later, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced AltCampus online, Prashant and his friends pivoted their efforts and transformed their offline campus into AltSpace. Their ability to adapt and persevere allowed them to succeed even in uncertain times. Similarly, those embarking on a side hustle should embrace change, adapt when necessary, and maintain a resilient spirit to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.
Follow the Build community hustling in Dharamshala this week here.
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