Pratik Thakker Founder of Testlify, INSIDEA, Webzoly

<p>From a young kid selling firecrackers to pickles, a teenage salesman to the stock analyst, sailing through storms, from India to Israel, this is an extraordinary success journey of a digital and tech entrepreneur.<br> <br> As a kid, I sold firecrackers and pickles, which enabled me to self-fund clothes and toys. I got into college but was only keen on learning new skills rather than formal education, which never excited me. As a hustler, I started working as a part-time salesman in the garments market as I wanted to master the art of selling.<br> <br> In the first year of college, at the inter-college fest, I met my life partner Nancy, a Jewish girl of Indian origin. Our love conquered all societal barriers, and we were united.<br> <br> Numbers excited me, and I moved to the most volatile stock market trade. Being sharp-minded and good with numbers, I learned and excelled at the trade. By the age of 21, I was making more money than I could have imagined.<br> <br> “Failures are part of the journey."<br> <br> The market crash got me back to square one. Money earned in years was lost in a few days.<br> <br> I didn’t give up. I bounced back stronger and was back on track. However, the stress of the job, overworking and erratic work hours started taking a toll on my health.<br> <br> Sometimes life takes unexpected turns in the right direction.<br> <br> Nancy inspired me to seek opportunities in #Israel. It was difficult to leave the homeland and family. But we went on to find new dreams in a new land.<br> <br> In a new country as a foreign national, beginnings were really challenging. I weathered the emotional storms of life, being away from family and friends. Depression sometimes pulls you down so much that it may leave you helpless. I appreciate my life partner who handled the situation perfectly and helped me recover.<br> <br> Then, when life gave me another shift and I saw digital and tech booming, I shifted my gears to the digital sector.<br> <br> As a successful professional in India, I willingly accepted a