Mufaddal Dahodwala did bachelor of engineering degree in computer science from the University of Mumbai. Shortly after that, he started working as an associate software engineer in SAP domain for Accenture. Later, he went to pursue MBA in finance from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies.
Being passionate about helping students, Mufaddal Dahodwala conceptualized lcounsel, which is an education technology solutions provider that designed a unique app created to serve all students as well as teachers.
Please provide a brief overview of your product/ service.
Icounsel is an Education Technology solutions provider, which designed a unique app created to serve all students as well as teachers. We are providing online counseling and courses for various streams to students who want to pursue higher education. We offer enrollment services, academic support services, assessment services and student support services. We do support printing of college events brochures, banners, flexes, and posters so that their events are successful with our overall services. We also provide you with speaking session in all colleges we have partnered with and increase your visibility.
What inspired you to build the above product/ service?
My zeal for selfless service to students needing online career counseling and enhancement of skills through courses online.
What is your life mantra?
Persist or die and always share knowledge and help others.
What was the most challenging part of your journey till now?
Most challenging part was to be able to deliver our services to students all over India. We started in May 2015 and are providing our career and admission guidance services through Icounsel app as well as email/phone.
How did you overcome those challenges?
Indian students do not seek online career counseling that too for free of cost but this was subsided by our team marketing efforts and letting everyone know about our services through various college tieups all over India.
Share some details about the investments that you have been able to fetch for the business till now.
We are self-funded and self-sufficient to handle our online counseling sessions.
According to you, what are the three qualities an individual must have to achieve success?
Hard work, Dedication and Confidence in oneself.
Which online tools/ services/ apps do you use the most and would like to recommend as well?
Icounsel/coursera.org/mercadeoedu.org
Share any one habit which you think makes you more productive.
I am very focussed on my goals and always think to build a business instead of seeking employment myself so as to create more job opportunities and coach students for a better future.
Share any one habit which you wish to change in yourself.
Sometimes procrastinating things which can be done earlier.
Answer in less than 50 words
Follow your heart, be humble and always listen to your parents.
- One mistake you believe every individual must avoid:
Overconfidence.
- One most important lesson that you have learned till now:
Trust in right people who define you and your success.
What are your plans for next 3 years?
I plan to take Icounsel to a new level by making it one stop shop for all kind of student needs/queries besides career and admission guidance. We will help them right before admission process, during admission and after admission also for placements and jobs
If you get a chance to start your career again what would you do differently this time?
I would work with my to be wife (Jamila Barwaniwala) as my guiding star and make my career journey more exciting and worthy of her in order to make this world a better place.
What are your top three getaway destinations?
Dubai, Singapore, and Shimla.
Share a quote that inspires you the most.
“Don’t wait for the perfect moment, take the moment and make it perfect” Zoey Sayword