Born and raised in Bombay, V. Krishnan hailed from a lower-middle-class family that lived in a modest house in Sion. His father worked for Batliboy and Company, instilling in him values of integrity and hard work. Krishnan’s formative years were shaped by financial struggles—his pocket money was a mere five rupees a month—but this scarcity fueled his entrepreneurial spirit. Even as a schoolboy, he found ways to make money, selling textiles to friends’ families and earning a complimentary shirt and pants for his efforts. This resourcefulness, combined with a curiosity to understand how things work, laid the foundation for his future endeavors.

After graduating in science from Khalsa College, Krishnan’s career began in sales, a field he was naturally drawn to. Over the years, he gained extensive experience, working with companies like Killick Nixon, HES Alarm Clocks, and Avery’s. He traveled extensively, building relationships and sharpening his marketing skills.

His journey took a significant turn when he moved to Muscat in 1983, where he managed corporate sales and oversaw five showrooms with a team of 40 people. This experience honed his skills in man management and operational efficiency. After returning to India in 1991, Krishnan took on the role of Regional Manager at Essae Teraoka. Over the next eight years, he played a pivotal role in developing the entire Western region, establishing five to six branches, and expanding their business from selling 30 machines to over 30,000 in the market. This remarkable achievement cemented his reputation as a strategic and effective leader. From this role, he transitioned to entrepreneurship, laying the groundwork for Spheretech.

During this time, Krishnan began exploring the idea of entrepreneurship. Encouraged by his success and driven by a desire for autonomy, he considered various ventures, including marketing filling machines. His association with Span Filling Systems began when he approached the company to represent their products. Recognizing his expertise, the owner of Span Filling Systems proposed a partnership.

Mohan’s journey was markedly different. Hailing from a traditional Gujarati family, Mohan’s upbringing was modest but financially stable. After completing his engineering degree, he started his career at Bradma of India, where he gained hands-on experience with production and testing of electronic batch coding machines. His meticulous nature and technical expertise earned him recognition, and he joined Domino, a UK-based company, as part of their core technical team. When Domino asked him to relocate to Gurgaon, Mohan chose instead to start his entrepreneurial journey, founding Spheretech as a proprietary concern in his mid-20s. His initial ventures involved supplying toolkits and other accessories to companies, leveraging his technical knowledge and existing relationships.

The turning point came in 2001, when Krishnan and Mohan were introduced by Kumar, the owner of Span Filling Systems Pvt. Ltd. At the time, Krishnan, in his early 50s, was well-known for his salesmanship and had decided to venture on his own, while Mohan, in his late 20s, had already started his entrepreneurial journey with Spheretech. Span Filling Systems, having recently launched with a strong technological foundation, was aggressively seeking to expand its customer base. The collaboration between these three forces seemed destined, combining Krishnan’s marketing prowess, Mohan’s technical expertise, and the cutting-edge technology of Span Filling Systems to form a strong foundation for their partnership.

In the early days, Spheretech faced significant challenges. Financial resources were limited, and they often went months without drawing salaries, prioritizing payments to employees and suppliers. However, their shared vision and mutual trust kept them going. They converted Spheretech into a private limited company in 2003, a decision that boosted their credibility in the market. Over time, they emerged as one of the top and most reputed players in the packaging industry. Their clientele includes prominent names such as Hindustan Unilever, Marico, Patanjali, and Adani Wilmar in the edible oil sector, as well as significant players in automotive lubricants and dairy industries. Additionally, Spheretech exports to over 15 countries, showcasing their global reach and reputation for excellence.

Not one to rest on his laurels, Vishal continued to innovate and expand his reach. He introduced the Robert Kiyosaki "Cashflow" game into SP Jain School of Global Management's family business program, providing students with a practical and engaging way to learn about finance. His entrepreneurial spirit also led him to develop a learning and development app, which he later sold to ShareKhan, further cementing his reputation as a thought leader in the field. His expertise and insights into finance also led to a five-book contract with CNBC Publishing, with titles including Finance for Non-Finance, Balance Sheet: Tale of Assets and Liabilities, and GST for The Layman. These books not only solidified his standing in the Indian market but also opened doors to international assignments, particularly in the Middle East, where he worked with the Lulu Group and others. Vishal’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to create a learning app sold to ShareKhan and write several finance books published by CNBC. He expanded his reach internationally, working with companies in the Middle East and embracing digital platforms like YouTube’s "Finance Tube." Today, Vishal is evolving into a financial coach, guiding entrepreneurs through critical business phases. His story inspires us to pursue our passions and forge our own paths, proving that true success comes from following your Ikigai.

One of the key factors behind Spheretech’s success has been its unwavering commitment to building strong customer relationships. Both Krishnan and Mohan believe in “promising less and delivering more,” a principle that has earned them trust and loyalty. For instance, Krishnan recounts how a skeptical customer in Ahmedabad who initially rejected his pricing later became one of their most significant clients, treating Spheretech’s machines as a benchmark in the industry. Similarly, Mohan’s ability to resolve complex technical issues has won over customers, often working late into the night to ensure client satisfaction.

The partnership between Krishnan and Mohan is a study in mutual respect and adaptability. While Krishnan’s flamboyant marketing style contrasts with Mohan’s methodical approach, their shared values and open communication have ensured a harmonious working relationship. They complement each other’s strengths, with Mohan focusing on technical precision and Krishnan excelling in relationship management and deal-making.

Looking to the future, Spheretech is poised for further growth. The company offers an impressive range of products and services, including advanced liquid filling machines, capping machines, induction sealing systems, and packaging solutions tailored to industries such as edible oil, automotive lubricants, dairy, and pharmaceuticals. Known for their robust engineering and customized solutions, Spheretech's offerings are designed to meet the diverse needs of their clients, ensuring precision, efficiency, and reliability. This product portfolio reflects their commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction. They also plan to explore the possibility of becoming a public limited company, which would provide additional resources for scaling their operations. Despite these ambitions, Krishnan and Mohan remain committed to their core principles: ethical business practices, quality products, and unwavering customer focus.

The story of Spheretech Packaging India is more than a tale of business success; it’s a lesson in perseverance, teamwork, and the power of ethical entrepreneurship. For aspiring entrepreneurs, Krishnan and Mohan offer invaluable advice: stay focused, work hard, and build lasting relationships. In their words, “Do business with ethics, and everything else will fall into place.”