They say the biggest risks are the ones you don't expect and that's exactly how I felt when I left my corporate career behind and stepped into the unknown.
Corporate Career and a Turning Point
I spent 14 years in HR leadership roles at some of the world's most respected organisations GSK, Unilever, and Airtel serving as Country HR Head across Bangladesh, Nepal, and Myanmar. It was a career built on discipline, impact, and the kind of institutional trust that takes years to earn.
A business transition at GSK the sale of its Nutrition division to Unilever marked the third merger I had witnessed in my career. Each restructuring brought lessons. This one became a turning point.
A Pause for Reflection
During the subsequent transition, amid COVID-19 lockdowns, a health challenge forced an unplanned pause. What began as an interruption became something more a window for honest reflection.
I realised that corporate advancement no longer aligned with where I wanted to go. The drive was still there, but the destination had changed. A compelling desire had quietly emerged: to build something independently, on my own terms, with the expertise I had spent 14 years developing.
Taking the Leap
With family support which I don't take lightly I made the difficult decision to leave Unilever and establish a new venture during a period of global uncertainty. Former GSK colleagues provided foundational assistance in the early days.
The early months were grueling. Depleted savings, scarce leads, geopolitical instability there were real moments of doubt. Muhammad Yunus's perspective stayed with me during that time: that humans are naturally suited for entrepreneurship, not mere employment-seeking.
The early months brought depleted savings, scarce leads, and real doubt. But persistence and the belief that the right clients would find us kept the door open.
Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Success
The pivotal moment arrived in April 2022 when Invicta secured its first significant client. That single relationship catalysed everything that followed client referrals, growing confidence, and a model that was starting to prove itself.
Invicta achieved cash-positive status within a year. Not through a lucky break, but through a clear commitment to doing the work properly: rigorous vetting, genuine HR support, and building relationships that outlast the initial placement.
A Journey of Gratitude and Growth
Today, Invicta Solutions Ltd. is focused on becoming a global premium talent solutions provider while creating meaningful employment opportunities for Bangladeshi talent and generating foreign income for the nation. Both matter to us equally.
Looking back, I'm grateful for the discomfort. For the merger that pushed me toward the edge. For the health crisis that made me stop and listen to what I actually wanted. For the clients who took a chance on us before we had a track record.
Gratitude, it turns out, is not just a feeling. It's a strategy.