Unlocking Growth Through Technology, Talent & Creativity
My Story:
Hi there! My name is Baldy Rakhra (don't worry, it's just a childhood nickname, and I do have some hair left!). I'm excited to share my story with you because I believe that to truly understand someone and how they can contribute to an organization, it's important to know their journey. So, here's mine, filled with lessons, emotions, and experiences that I hope can resonate with you.
For over 25 years, I've been immersed in the sales, marketing, and business development world. My adventure began in 1991, when I was a university student working as the #1 sales associate for Cantel Cellular (now Rogers). After that, I shifted gears and entered the financial services industry, where I sold life insurance and related products to help families protect and grow their wealth. I was so passionate about making a difference in people's lives that, after about seven years, I was recruited by AIG to lead their Western Canada broker channel.
In 2006, a major life event changed everything for me. I decided to embark on a personal sabbatical overseas, intending to connect with my homeland, India, which I had never visited before. But as fate would have it, my journey took an unexpected turn when I met an incredible person who led me to the world of technology startups.
I found myself in a software services company, working hard to develop our own intellectual property while also setting up an international call center for a finance client. We started small, with just eight people, but grew to over 100 employees in just 18 months. Our dedication and teamwork were truly inspiring.
About 2.5 years into this adventure, we developed two innovative SaaS products: a document management system and a call center dialer that connected with Skype. Alongside my then-partner, I dove into every aspect of building these products, from design and development to marketing. It was an exhilarating experience that taught me so much about perseverance, collaboration, and the power of innovation.
Ultimately, we took both of these products to market and made a successful exit to a US-based financial services company in New York. Looking back, I'm filled with gratitude for the incredible journey that's shaped who I am today.
After our successful exit, I took the opportunity to explore India, immersing myself in its rich culture and breathtaking landscapes. For two months, I traveled and appreciated the beauty of the country that was once so unfamiliar to me. Little did I know, another exciting opportunity was just around the corner.
A close colleague of mine at EA in Vancouver knew I was still in India and reached out with a thrilling proposition. EA was looking to establish its own stand-alone studio in India, as previously, individual EA studios had to source external vendors, resulting in a disorganized process. I was entrusted with the responsibility of setting up the EA Studio in Hyderabad, India.
With immense enthusiasm, I took on the challenge of creating an art and creative studio with engineering resources. I managed everything from the ground up, including the build-out, servers, computers, and even hiring the main EA staff. It was a fulfilling experience to see a concept come to life, knowing that my hard work had made it possible.
Unfortunately, in 2009, EA underwent significant downsizing and laid off around 3,000 employees worldwide. My studio in Hyderabad was among the cuts, and with a heavy heart, I had to dismantle everything I had built. Despite the heartbreaking outcome, the experience left a lasting impression on me, teaching me invaluable lessons about resilience, adaptability, and the strength of the human spirit.
The adventure with EA marked the beginning of a fascinating shift in my career, taking me through various industries such as finance, software, call centers, creative services, and eventually, media and entertainment. Even though I cherished my time in India, a life-changing event—meeting my now-wife—prompted me to return to Canada and start anew.
This new chapter took me to Toronto, where I became the Manager of the Art Department at a successful company called Ganz, creators of the Webkinz brand. Here, I led a talented team of 40 artists, contributing to the incredible story of how Ganz transformed a line of plush toys into an online phenomenon. Despite the excitement of working with such a great company, the harsh East Coast winters eventually led me to yearn for Vancouver once more.
Upon returning to Vancouver, I took on a role heading up outsourcing for a company that specialized in providing external teams for creative and engineering services. This opportunity connected me with Reliance Media Works, an Indian company in need of local assistance in Los Angeles. With my family by my side, I moved to LA for a 1.5-year contract, taking charge of client management and business development.
In this new role, I served as a vital bridge between Reliance Media Works and their local clients, helping to maintain strong relationships and streamline the outsourcing process. Every step of the way, I embraced the challenges and growth that came with each new adventure, further enriching my life and expanding my professional horizons.
In August 2014, the sweltering California heat had me longing for the unparalleled beauty of Vancouver, a city I truly believe is the best place to live and raise a family. Back in my beloved city, I met an incredible individual who interviewed me for a job. While he felt I was overqualified, we kept in touch, and two months later, he offered me a unique opportunity to help revive and rebuild a company.
That's when I joined Genesis Gaming, a technology company providing slot and keno content for the casino industry, spanning land-based, online, and social casinos. I took on the challenge of restructuring the company, which had two separate offices in Vancouver and Las Vegas. For over ten months, I spent a week each month in Las Vegas, managing various content deals and spearheading business development and sales across North and South America. I also focused on identifying innovative strategic initiatives and developing all lines of business for Genesis' social and real-money slot games. Attending industry conferences worldwide, I had the pleasure of networking and signing content deals with some of the biggest names in the casino business.
By December 2016, reconnecting with old friends and colleagues in Vancouver had inspired me to take the next step in my professional journey. I founded my own consulting company, Mukrah Ventures Ltd. Various exciting opportunities had presented themselves, and I was determined to capitalize on them. My consulting firm focuses on business development and project management, allowing me to collaborate with leading companies in software and application development, creative and animation services, social gaming, virtual and augmented reality, and casino gaming.
Through Mukrah Ventures, I've been able to harness the power of onshore and offshore resources, driving operational efficiency and business growth in a diverse range of industries. Every step of my journey has enriched my life and prepared me for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.