‘Growth begins where familiarity ends’ 

Meet Saurabh Agarwal, a proud member of the Class of 2009 and the Co-founder of habitry™ and Wandering Souls. Through the latter, he creates immersive travel and outdoor experiences that bring people closer to nature and one another. With habitry™, he helps people build healthier lifestyles through the power of small, consistent habits, using fitness as a starting point for lasting change. A trained mountaineer and outdoor enthusiast, Saurabh is driven by a passion for adventure, wellness, and meaningful experiences. 

Read his journey

What are some of your fondest memories from your school days?

The best part? Definitely backbencher life. The endless masti, the inside jokes, and the friends who still bring up those memories even today. I was never a topper, quite happy somewhere in the middle of the class, but school was never short on fun. I may not remember every chapter I studied, but I remember every friend I shared a bench with, and those friendships have stood the test of time.

Were you involved in any co-curricular activities, clubs, sports, or leadership roles?

Sports were my real classroom. I lived for the Intra-house competitions like Kho Kho, cricket, football, and anything that brought out the competitive spirit. Representing my house alongside friends was always special. I also loved participating in annual day dance performances. Leadership roles never really interested me; I was happiest being in the middle of the action, making memories on the field and on stage.  

After completing Class XII, what path did you choose, and how did it lead you to entrepreneurship?

After Class XII, I pursued engineering and later completed my MBA, picking up valuable internship experience along the way. My professional journey began in the corporate world as a management trainee, but the desire to build something of my own never faded. By 2016-17, I had taken the entrepreneurial leap, exploring ventures across a café, a CrossFit gym, a tech startup, and eventually Wandering Soul, the one that has continued to thrive ever since. 

What inspired you to start Wandering Souls and habitry™?

Both ventures grew out of things I genuinely care about. Wandering Souls began in 2017, inspired by my love for travel and the mountains, to create meaningful outdoor experiences that bring people together. Habitry™ is a much newer venture, launched in 2025 from the belief that small, consistent habits can create lasting change, using fitness as the starting point. While the two are very different, they share the same purpose: helping people lead happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives. 

Have any failures or setbacks taught you valuable lessons?

Plenty. Building businesses comes with its fair share of setbacks. Plans don’t always work out, and ideas that seem perfect on paper can fall apart in reality. Early on, I took those failures personally. Over time, I realised they’re simply part of the journey. The biggest lesson has been to stay consistent and keep showing up, even when progress feels slow. Most meaningful things take far longer than expected to build and that’s perfectly okay. 

What skills should students focus on developing today?

The world is changing rapidly, so focus less on memorising and more on learning how to learn. I loved mathematics because it taught logic and problem-solving skills that still help me every day. Stay curious, build strong communication skills, nurture meaningful relationships, and above all, be consistent. Talent is common; consistency is what sets people apart. 

How important is it to take risks and step outside one’s comfort zone?

Hugely important. The most meaningful experiences in my life, from building businesses to climbing mountains, have come from stepping outside my comfort zone. Growth begins where familiarity ends. It won’t always be easy, and failure is part of the process, but the regret of not trying is far greater. Take the leap, embrace uncertainty, and trust yourself to learn along the way.  

What message would you like to share with the Apeejay School, Nerul, community?

School gave me some of the most valuable things I carry with me even today: lifelong friendships, confidence, and a strong sense of belonging. To the students: make the most of these years, stay curious, and follow what excites you. To the teachers: thank you for your guidance and lasting impact. This school will always hold a special place in my heart, and I’m proud to be part of its legacy.