A dream of building a transportation empire with thousands of trucks… a 20-year career as a software engineer in the US… ventures into media, radio and large-scale events… several failures along the way… and finally, building a financial services organization with thousands of people. The journey of Thirumala Reddy Kumbum, popularly known as Thiru, is a story of ambition, resilience, learning and persistence.
From his childhood dreams and move to the United States to his corporate career, media ventures, business experiments and eventual success in financial services, Thiru opens up about the experiences that shaped his journey.
In this special Money Mantra interview, he shares his lessons from failure, his approach to business and leadership, and his perspective on financial education, wealth creation, family protection, insurance, estate planning and retirement.
His message is simple: earning money is important—but understanding how to protect, manage and build it is equally important.
Anchor: Let's start from the beginning. Can you take us through your childhood and early career journey?
Thiru: I completed my engineering in the 1994 batch. I started my career with Tata in India, working in the automobile sector. In 1998, I moved to the United States. My parents encouraged me to come to America, and my father has always been my biggest inspiration. He taught me that hard work, consistency and simplicity are very important.
Anchor: What was your childhood dream? Did you ever imagine that you would enter financial services?
Thiru: Not at all. My dream was to build a huge transportation business. My father had one lorry, and I used to think, "Today we have one lorry; one day we should have thousands." That dream actually influenced me to choose Mechanical Engineering and later work in the automobile industry.
Anchor: You came to the US as a software professional. How did that journey evolve?
Thiru: I came to the US with mainframe skills and started working as a software engineer and developer. I spent around 20 years in the software industry. After getting my Green Card, I started exploring different business opportunities and experimented with several ventures.
Anchor: You have spoken about many failures in your entrepreneurial journey. How did those failures shape you?
Thiru: I successfully failed many times. Some of those failures were very expensive, but they gave me tremendous experience and confidence. I learned that failure is not the end. We have to accept it, learn from it and keep moving forward.
Anchor: How did you enter the world of media and entertainment?
Thiru: Media and entertainment was always one of my passions. I acquired Radio Kushi, an online radio platform, and started developing the brand. Later, I conducted several events, including Mahila Sambharalu, which became very successful. We also worked with celebrities and conducted large-scale programs across different cities.
Anchor: You were doing all this while working full-time in the corporate world. How did you manage it?
Thiru: It was challenging. I was working full-time and doing these projects part-time. I also experienced layoffs and difficult periods. But I continued because I wanted to build something of my own. I strongly believe there is no shortcut to success. You have to be willing to put in the time, effort and resources.
Anchor: You invested heavily in marketing and promotions. Why was that important to you?
Thiru: I never compromised on marketing and promotion. We used buses for promotions, conducted shows in major cities and focused on reaching as many people as possible. My goal was always to build the brand and create visibility.
Anchor: At what point did you enter the financial services industry?
Thiru: Around 2015, I got an opportunity through some well-wishers and mentors. What attracted me was the service aspect. It was about financial education and helping individuals and families understand their finances. That connected very well with my personality and my desire to serve people.
Anchor: Did you initially have any hesitation about getting into sales and approaching people?
Thiru: Yes, definitely. In the beginning, I had inhibitions and was worried about rejection. I was also concerned about my image because many people in the community knew me. But eventually, I realized that this is not simply about selling something. It is about educating people, showing them value and helping them make informed decisions.
Anchor: How did you learn to handle rejection?
Thiru: One of my mentors changed my mindset completely. He told me that my responsibility is to offer the opportunity. Whether someone accepts it or rejects it is their decision. I realized that I should do my duty without being attached to the result. That lesson helped me tremendously.
Anchor: Today, you have built an organization of more than 3,500 people. What does that mean to you?
Thiru: We have around 3,500 direct and indirect people, with hundreds of licensed professionals across the country. What excites me most is offering the opportunity, onboarding people, handholding them and helping them become successful.
Anchor: Many people think financial services simply means insurance. What does it actually cover?
Thiru: Insurance is only one part. Financial education also covers cash flow, debt management, emergency funds, family protection, wealth building, wealth preservation, retirement planning, estate planning, investments and other financial strategies.
Anchor: Why do you believe financial education is especially important for middle-class families?
Thiru: Wealthy families often have access to professional wealth-management companies. But many middle-class families don't have the same access to financial education and guidance. Our goal is to become a bridge between consumers and providers and help people understand their options.
Anchor: Why should young people think about life insurance when they are healthy and just starting their careers?
Thiru: Protection should come first. Young people often think, "I'm healthy. What can happen to me?" But life is unpredictable. If something happens to the earning member of a family, the family may suddenly face income loss and financial liabilities. That's why people should think about protection early.
Anchor: What would you tell someone who says, "I don't have enough assets, so I don't need a Will or estate planning"?
Thiru: Estate planning is not only about assets. It is also about protecting your family, your children and making your wishes clear. Proper planning can provide peace of mind and help families avoid unnecessary legal complications.
Anchor: You have experienced both corporate life and entrepreneurship. What is more important—hard work or smart work?
Thiru: You need both. Hard work is extremely important, but hard work alone is not enough. You also have to use your time and energy productively. I believe in hard work, smart work, consistency, patience and persistence.
Anchor: Who are the people who have inspired you the most throughout your journey?
Thiru: My father has always been my biggest inspiration. In the financial industry, Bhagavan garu, Supriya garu, Akki Rupani and Hubert have also inspired me tremendously. Their leadership, discipline and commitment taught me many valuable lessons.
Anchor: Let me ask you a slightly controversial question. What is your net worth?
Thiru: My network is my net worth.
Anchor: Finally, what is your message to the Money Mantra audience?
Thiru: We all work hard to earn money, but earning money is only one part of the journey. We also need to understand how to protect it, manage it, build it and preserve it.
My message is simple: educate yourself, protect your family, make informed financial decisions and plan for the future.
Protect your family. Build your wealth. Preserve your wealth.
