In this episode of Power Talk Show powered by Business Talks Weekly, we dive deep into the story of Rashesh Doshi, the driving force behind Talent Corner, a uniquely modeled recruitment firm redefining talent acquisition for India’s MSME sector. From failing MBA entrances to scaling a business with hundreds of franchisees, Rashesh’s journey is both humble and highly instructive.
The Accidental Entrepreneur
Rashesh candidly shares how Talent Corner “happened” to him when MBA entrances didn’t go as planned and corporate jobs weren’t lucrative. With limited options, he took over a business his father considered shutting down—and turned it profitable within a year.
“I didn’t get into the top B-schools, and I’m glad I didn’t. Entrepreneurship was written in my destiny.” – Rashesh Doshi
The Talent Corner Business Model
What sets Talent Corner apart is its three-stakeholder approach:
- Candidates: Focused on placing talent within MSME companies, giving access to a largely untapped employment segment.
- Clients: Tailored hiring for mid-sized businesses that often lack structured HR systems.
- Franchise Partners: A network of entrepreneurial professionals—many homemakers, retired executives, and career shifters—running their own micro-recruitment ventures under the Talent Corner umbrella.
This franchise-first model gives people from Tier 2 and 3 cities an opportunity to be part of a national impact movement.
Challenges in Scaling a Franchise Model
Franchising might look scalable on paper, but as Rashesh puts it:
“If you don’t create value for your franchise partners, they will leave. It’s like leakage in your plumbing.”
Retention is key, and Talent Corner focuses on deep relationship-building with its partners rather than merely increasing headcount.
The Evolving Recruitment Landscape
Rashesh reflects on how post-COVID dynamics and global economic conditions influence recruitment trends, especially in MSMEs:
- Hybrid work has evolved—but full return to office might improve productivity.
- Despite global slowdowns, India’s domestic demand is fueling local recruitment growth.
- MSMEs are emerging as powerful economic engines, supported by forward-looking policies.
The Role of AI in Recruitment
Far from fearing AI, Rashesh sees it as a powerful ally:
“AI will never take away our curiosity or empathy. But it will definitely make us better recruiters and interviewers.”
From building sharper resumes to preparing for interviews, and from streamlining mundane tasks to aiding candidate evaluation—AI is now integrated into Talent Corner’s processes.
What’s Next?
Talent Corner has been selected by the Stanford SEED Transformation Program, a prestigious initiative helping emerging market businesses scale globally. Plans include:
- Creating Talent Corner 2.0
- Launching a proprietary platform Taarthi 360
- Expanding internationally
- Deeper AI integration for better client and candidate experiences
Final Advice to Founders and Candidates
Rashesh’s dual advice is timeless:
To entrepreneurs: “Don’t be in a rush to scale—longevity matters more than speed.”
To job seekers: “Go deep. Build knowledge, build connections, and stay curious.”