Ravi Uppal

Ravi Uppal is a distinguished entrepreneur and influential leader in the real estate industry, serving as the Managing Director of Empire One Global Real Estate. Renowned for his innovative approach to sustainable development, Ravi’s expertise spans strategic planning, sustainable construction practices, and technology integration in real estate projects. His early passion for sports shaped his leadership style, emphasizing teamwork, discipline, and strategic thinking. Ravi is deeply committed to mentorship, believing in the power of guiding young entrepreneurs towards success. Beyond his corporate achievements, he is a fervent advocate for community engagement and development, actively working on initiatives to combat water scarcity and support underprivileged communities in Chhattisgarh, India. His visionary leadership continues to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs and make significant impacts on both the industry and society.

What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?

My day usually starts with a quick session of meditation or exercise. I make my day productive by delegating effectively, maintaining open communication with my team, and ensuring that we’re all aligned with our daily and long-term goals.

How do you bring ideas to life?

Whenever I have a new idea, I discuss it with my team to refine it and ensure its feasibility. We then develop a prototype or a pilot project, which allows us to test our idea in real-world scenarios. Feedback from these tests is crucial and helps us make necessary adjustments before full-scale implementation.

What’s one trend that excites you?

The trend towards sustainable and green building excites me tremendously. As a real estate developer, the potential to positively impact the environment through eco-friendly practices and materials is both inspiring and motivating. This trend not only helps in reducing the carbon footprint but also significantly enhances the quality of life for the building’s occupants.

What is one habit that helps you be productive?

Each morning, I list my top three priorities that need attention. This clarity helps me stay focused and efficient, ensuring that I’m not just busy, but also productive.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I would tell my younger self to worry less about making mistakes and more about missing opportunities due to indecision. It’s important to take calculated risks, as they often lead to the greatest learning experiences and opportunities for growth.

Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?

I believe that the real estate industry can be the leading force for social change, not just economic growth. Many see real estate primarily as a vehicle for financial profit, but I believe its greatest value lies in its ability to create and sustain communities, improve lives, and foster social interactions.

What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?

Reflect on your experiences and learn from them. I make it a point to reflect on both the successes and failures of each day. This habit helps me understand what works, what doesn’t, and how I can improve. I recommend everyone adopt this practice to foster continuous personal and professional growth.

When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?

I take a break, or I like to play squash. This not only helps clear my mind but also gives me a fresh perspective when I return to the task at hand.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?

Maintaining honest and respectful relationships has opened doors and created opportunities that have been crucial to my success.

What is one failure in your career,  how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?

Early in my career, I took a significant financial risk that didn’t pay off, leading to a major project’s failure. I overcame this by reassessing my approach to risk management and seeking mentorship in areas where I lacked expertise. The key lesson was to never stop learning and to always evaluate the risk versus the reward.

What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?

Something that helps to connect retired professionals with startups for mentorship and advice. This not only helps startups gain valuable insights but also allows retirees to stay active and engaged in their field of expertise.

What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?

Monday has been instrumental in helping me organize projects and tasks. It’s easy to track progress, assign tasks, and set deadlines, which enhances our team’s ability to meet project goals efficiently.

Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?

“Good to Great” by Jim Collins is a book I find incredibly insightful. It offers a deep dive into why some companies make the leap to great results and others don’t, which has helped refine my approach to business and leadership.

What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?

I recently enjoyed watching “The Founder,” which is about the story of Ray Kroc and the expansion of McDonald’s. It’s a compelling tale of entrepreneurship and persistence, providing both cautionary lessons and inspiration.