After finishing college in India, Bharat Bhise’s father made some calls and helped introduce him to colleagues at the Birla Group. Bharat started in their subsidiary company GMMCO, which was in construction and mining equipment.
He then came to the US for his MBA and got jobs as a computer department assistant and in a bar back at the local pub. Post-MBA, Bharat worked with a US company related to Matsushita in the accounting department.
When the individual running the European office passed away, Bharat was given the opportunity to go to Paris to take over the entire department. Afterward, he temporarily moved back to India, as his now wife was living there. At this time he worked for famous businessman Vijay Mallya, promoting his Black Dog Whiskey brand.
Following this, Bharat returned to the US and started his own company, which traded foreign debt in El Salvador and Costa Rica. Following a plane crash, Bharat Bhise was approached about leasing a plane to Laksa Airlines in Costa Rica (eventually taken over by TACA)—despite knowing nothing about this business. Needing a plane, he called Frank Lorenzo (the owner of Eastern Airlines). He answered, and Bharat convinced him to lease them the plane, thus leading him into the aviation business.
Bharat then ran Smith Wilson’s aviation portfolio before working for George Soros’ aircraft leasing fund, CS Aviation. Since he didn’t have equity in CS Aviation, he left the company to once again start his own business. Two of his customers, Boeing and IAI, were willing to back him in this venture (doing freighter conversions). Bharat was off to a good start, but 9/11 was a huge setback for him and the industry as a whole. Bharat then spent a few years commuting between London and NY running Heavy Lift Airlines.
Around 2003, he started doing deals in aircraft financing with the HNA group based in China. This continued all the way up until the 2008 Financial Crisis, at which time he decided to create the Bravia Capital name, as a private equity firm focused not just on aviation—but also transportation and logistics.
As CEO of this firm, Bharat Bhise has made a name for himself in the industry, cementing his decades-long career in New York City,
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I usually begin the day by reviewing updates from our partners and associates across the globe. Since Bravia Capital has diverse interests, I focus on making key decisions in the morning. After that, I handle detailed operational tasks. I use time-blocking techniques to allocate uninterrupted periods for deep work, which keeps me productive.
How do you bring ideas to life?
It’s a pretty structured process: identifying the market need, assembling a capable team, and executing with precision. I place great importance on testing concepts quickly and gathering real-world feedback to refine them iteratively.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I find the convergence of financial services and technology particularly exciting. Innovations in non-banking financing platforms for underserved markets hold great promise for improving global access to capital.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Periodically, I spend time analyzing what has worked, what hasn’t, and what can be improved. This approach ensures I stay on track with my objectives and fosters continuous improvement.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Patience is key. Many of life’s greatest rewards, whether in personal growth or financial investments, are the result of compounding over time. Building long-term relationships and prioritizing sustainable growth would be my advice.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you.
I invest only in things I can understand. While it can be tempting to chase exciting trends, I prefer to focus on investments that may appear less glamorous but offer steady, reliable returns. Staying within my circle of competence has been key to managing risk effectively.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Read books regularly. You gain a deeper understanding of the world and learn far more from thoughtful reading than from endless scrolling through social media or news feeds. This habit can significantly broaden your perspective and improve your critical thinking.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Go for a walk or better yet play some golf. It helps clear the mind and humbles you very quickly!
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Targeting niche markets has been instrumental. Instead of competing in saturated spaces, I seek out fragmented sectors where we can add value through consolidation or innovation.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Having the value of my investments plummet during 9/11 taught me a crucial lesson: take profit when you can and always leave something for the next person. This approach has helped me manage risk and maintain long-term stability in my investment strategy.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Always hire people smarter than you. Surrounding yourself with talented individuals who bring fresh perspectives and expertise can elevate your business to new heights. This approach fosters innovation, enhances decision-making, and ensures continuous growth.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
My notebook is my most valuable tool. I still take physical notes during every meeting. Writing things down reinforces what has been discussed and helps me structure my investment thoughts more clearly. It may seem old-fashioned, but it works incredibly well for me.
What is the best $100 you recently spent?
YouTube Premium. There’s a wealth of high-quality content on YouTube covering business, finance, and personal development. Without the interruptions of ads, it’s become a much better source of learning and inspiration for me.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast from which you’ve received much value?
“Plain English” by Derek Thompson is great. It takes complex topics and trends, such as AI, quantum computing, and GLP-1 drugs, by putting them into a clearer context. This podcast has been helpful in broadening my understanding of emerging issues.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I recently enjoyed “Landman.” It’s a great mixture of prestige and guilty pleasure, and it transports me to the oilfields of Texas, which is a totally different world from NYC and Asia.
Key learnings:
- Many of life’s greatest rewards come from being lucky and being patient. While luck can open doors, patience ensures that you stay the course and make the most of the opportunities that come your way.
- Staying focused on things you understand and avoiding trendy distractions can lead to long-term stability.
- Always hire people smarter than you!
- Read books regularly. It’s such a refreshing change from endlessly scrolling, and it helps deepen your understanding of various topics while improving focus and critical thinking.