Solution-oriented mindset, problem-solving enthusiasm, positive attitude towards challenges, overcoming obstacles with enthusiasm.
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Rajiv Soni’s life begins in Vadnagar, Gujarat – a small town steeped in history and values, but one that offers little in terms of resources. Born on 20th May 1982, Rajiv grew up in a household where his father worked as a tailor on daily wages and his mother supported the family by stitching sarees and helping neighbors with household chores.
Their earnings were meager, and yet the family was rich in love, resilience, and determination. Childhood, for Rajiv, was not about luxuries but about survival. He remembers never owning a pair of shoes until he was 16. His school uniform was always a single pair of trousers, patched and repaired multiple times until it became a source of amusement for classmates. Clothes were often hand-me-downs from cousins – wearing something new was a rare luxury.
These experiences, though harsh, built in Rajiv the foundation of humility and gratitude. He grew up understanding that while poverty can limit resources, it cannot limit dreams. His parents instilled in him two unshakable values: faith in God and belief in hard work. His father often reminded him, “ Whatever happens, keep faith in God and karma. Focus on your work, and life will take care of the rest.” His mother, equally, emphasized, “Stay with the truth, no matter how hard it gets.”
The defining turn in Rajiv’s life came when his father borrowed money from relatives to send him abroad for studies. It was a bold and risky decision for a family already burdened with financial struggles. Rajiv landed in Singapore to study Hospitality Management, unaware of the storm of challenges that awaited him.
His mornings began with classes from 7:30 to 11:30 am, but while other students relaxed or socialized afterward, Rajiv headed straight to work. By noon he was on his first job, and by night he was working at restaurants, clubs, or banquet halls until 2 am.
For nine months, his routine was relentless: 18–20 hours of work, 4–5 hours of sleep, and a diet of simple khichdi. Despite the exhaustion, he refused to give up. His determination was fueled by two goals: repay his father’s debt and save enough to pursue further education in the UK.
Singapore tested his resilience like nothing else. But Rajiv discovered his inner strength in the process. He learned that even when the path seems closed, persistence can carve out a way forward. By the end of that grueling phase, not only had he cleared his debts, but he had also saved for his tuition and secured his UK visa – a feat few achieved in those days.
Rajiv moved to the UK with hope and ambition, continuing his studies while working as a chef. This period marked the beginning of his entrepreneurial instincts, as he and his parents together experimented with small business ideas.
But perhaps the most transformative event of his UK years was meeting Minaxi Patel. What began as friendship soon blossomed into love, and in 2004 they married. Minaxi became not only Rajiv’s life partner but also his strongest pillar. During his struggling years in London, she stood beside him, working as an administrator while Rajiv managed jobs and studies.
Rajiv often describes her role with gratitude: “ She supported me emotionally, mentally, and financially. I managed the household and expenses, and her entire salary was saved. That’s how we built our first investments together.”
Together, they created stability in an otherwise uncertain phase, purchasing properties and laying the foundation for their return to India.
In 2008, with their infant daughter Shruti, Rajiv and Minaxi made the bold choice to return to India. Many questioned their decision – why leave the UK for an uncertain future back home? But Rajiv had clarity. He wanted to create opportunities in India, not just for himself, but for others too.
That year, he founded the Global Institute of International Studies, which soon evolved into RG International, one of the most trusted abroad education consultancies in the country. Starting with just two people, RG International quickly grew into a national and international brand.
Even as business success grew, Rajiv’s resilience was tested in deeply personal ways. In 2013, severe health issues required major surgeries on both his legs, leaving him unable to walk temporarily. In 2017, he endured another blow – the removal of his upper palate followed by a brain stroke that kept him in ICU for 18 days.
Most would have given up. Rajiv did not. With his wife Minaxi and daughters Shruti and Kruti by his side, he fought back, rebuilt his strength, and returned to work with even greater determination.
From Vadnagar to London to Surat, from patched trousers to boardrooms, from khichdi in Singapore to food journeys across 98 countries – Rajiv’s life is proof that struggles build strength. Today, as the CEO and Co-Founder of RG International, Shiksha Reform, Sculpt Skin Care, and SmartX CRM, he is not just an entrepreneur but a living inspiration of resilience.
He often tells young dreamers:
“ Life is not about where you begin, but how far you are willing to go. With vision, hard work, and faith, anything is possible.”
