We invited Sukesh Pillai, Founder & CEO at Love All Sports, for an interview with Most Popular Stories. Let’s get to know about his entrepreneurial journey.
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey as an entrepreneur.
My name is Sukesh Ramakrishna Pillai, basically an Electronics & Communications Engineer and holds a Master’s in Business Administration. I was working in the telecom domain for almost 18 years and had associated with major multi-national companies like Reliance, Motorola, Ericsson, Wipro, etc across various geographies in and out of India. The thought of establishing a Sports Academy, incorporating multiple sports activities was always in my dream – A Sports Hub where people of all age groups can associate utilizing the multi-sports facilities.
During my college days here in Trivandrum city, we used to go all the way to the Shanghumukham beach area with my friends to play badminton on the court behind the present old Indian Coffee House. Had there been more courts and better facilities back then, a number of people from my generation including me who wished to become professional players could have fulfilled our dream. It was that thought and my undying passion for sports made me establish Love All Sports. Despite being a private academy, we give due consideration for kids coming from financially humble backgrounds. Our main aim is to create a sportive culture among youngsters.
The concept was to establish a Centre Of Excellence for popular games. In the year 2016, October 20th, that dream became a reality. Love All Badminton was born. The indoor stadium incorporating three indoor wooden badminton courts made of imported German Oak of International standard was inaugurated by Former International Badminton player Sh U. Vimal Kumar. The club concentrates mainly on developing and nurturing the talents of young badminton aspirants. We have many kids of both genders currently taking their coaching here. We have highly professional and skilled coaches for this.
The club is known for its aesthetic looks. Located near The Corporation swimming pool inside PTP Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram, Love All Sports campus comprises of a long open verandah done in traditional style decorated with popular Athangudi Place tiles. It has slanting mud-tiled roof supported by pillars from one end to the other end of the verandah. The white walls are adorned with framed wall art of Budha, Rocky, and Sachin Tendulkar and other inspiring quotes. I designed the whole place myself and wanted to have a traditional and close to nature touch.
In the Year 2018, April 12th, Love All Cricket was launched. The facility was inaugurated by Former DGP Sh Senkumar in the presence of Former Kerala Cricket Captain Sh Sony Cheruvathur, who is also the coach of Love All Cricket. The facility has three indoor astro turfs with a bowling machine. The pitches have a separate net that can be stretched to create a mini indoor ground and we can have short matches.
In the year 2019, Love All Soccer Park was inaugurated at Thittamangalam, Thiruvananthapuram. This is the biggest artificial football turf for seven’s in Thiruvananthapuram. The facility is located near the banks of the Karamana river and has a Sports and music cafeteria. Live streaming of sports matches are broadcasted here and people can watch these over a cup of coffee. Love All Soccer Park had tied-up with Kerala Blasters ( KBFC) under their Young Blasters initiative. The coaching sessions are conducted under the guidance of KBFC Technical Director Mario Marinica. Aspirants in the age group 6 to 18 years are coached here.
In the year 2020, Love All Sports had taken the charge of former Kerala cricket captain and present ICC International Umpire Sh Ananthapadmanabhan’s cricket academy at Malayinkizhu. The facility has a big cricket ground with three practice pitches. The focus is to bring out talents from rural areas as their access to top tier facilities are limited and focuses on promoting and developing cricket from the grass root levels in rural areas.
2. Why did you choose entrepreneurship over a job?
I have spent almost 18 years in my job career and retired from my corporate life on a high. Presently, associated with a State Government firm as their Head Of Projects. Entrepreneurship gives me the freedom to design my life the way I want. I am able to provide jobs to multiple people as well. After a hectic day, during the evenings I am able to sit on the verandah of my own establishment, watching people playing, laughing and it gives me immense satisfaction and pleasure enjoying it.
3. What was the vision behind it?
The concept was to establish a Centre Of Excellence for popular games. The focus is to bring out talents from grass root levels and to promote and develop sports through them by providing top-class infrastructure. The skill development is not restricted to sports alone but in the overall development of the individual like their posture correction, eliminating stage fear, language correction, public addressing, etc. The person who walks out of Love All Sports will be man/woman perfect.
4. Describe the services that you offer to your customers and in what way they are unique?
We provide badminton, Cricket, Football, Table Tennis, and Yoga. The plan of establishing an indoor Tennis facility is in the plan.
5. What difficulties which you have faced or you are facing?
Clients are of various natures. Understanding these versatile characters, we are able to cultivate a sportive culture among all members of the club. People will fight for a single point. They will fight for the court, they will fight for the shuttles, etc. They will complain about the lights. If that is corrected they will complain about the polishing on the court, then on ventilation, dust, etc. So the point is, it is not easy to run the show. But Love All Sports is able to tackle and satisfy the demands of our elite customers.
6. How do you handle the pressure and manage stress?
I don’t take anything seriously on my head. Take it the way it comes. I believe every single problem in this world had got a solution. If you seriously ask about stress, We have a Yoga facility here that acts as the stress-relieving mechanism. Apart from that I read a lot, write blogs, and listens to music.
7. How do you market your business?
Majorly through word of mouth. Now we have around 1000 members associated with us and we are one along with the elite clubs here in Thiruvananthapuram. So seriously, no major marketing strategies are needed. Love All Sports has got an FB page and an Insta account.
8. How many hours a day do you work on average & can you describe/outline your typical day?
Being a telecom professional, it’s not hard for me to work 24 x 7. But life is systematic now. Regular exercise is the key. For me, it’s just like listening to music. I choose the shuffle button. Three days badminton, 2 days cricket, a day for Football, a day for TT and will declare Sunday as a rest day.
9. In your opinion what are the keys to success?
The key is Vision, planning, and confidence. Be humble and grounded always. If you are observing these basics, success will follow you.
My father used to say. Be very clinical while telling Yes and No. Don’t over-commit and don’t underestimate anyone. All are equals. The only difference is the circumstances, luck, and opportunity.
10. What advice would you give to someone starting out as an aspiring entrepreneur?
Be crystal clear on your project. Make your vision steady, plan it properly, and implement it. Always try to create a second line. Be humble and grounded. Try to help others. Attend the complaints on time and correct it. Don’t repeat the same mistakes again and again. That’s it!
Also read,