The Story of Ragulan Tharmakulasin
My name is Ragulan Tharmakulasingam, I am the co-founder of ‘Pick a Book'. The mission of ”Pick a Book (PAB) is to encourage the reading habit by getting all participants to select a book, read and research it thoroughly, and present a summary, which also helps to hone their public speaking, communication, and presentation skills. By doing this, ‘Pick a book’ not only inculcates the habit of reading but also helps to impart a wealth of knowledge. A life without books is an unfulfilled life. Within the pages of a book is a wealth of knowledge, life lessons, and inspirations, where we have the enriching experience of living the lives of others as we find our own feet in the world and discover within ourselves what we never knew we had.
When did you realize you wanted to be a social entrepreneur? How did you define your purpose?
My first venture was 'Pick a Book', an organization created to promote reading and spread the love for it. Alongside this endeavor, I actively participated in various community service organizations, contributing to causes such as suicide prevention and various community services.
These experiences deeply motivated me to initiate my social venture with the aim of scaling their impact globally. 'Pick a Book' has made significant strides, extending its reach to five countries. The purpose of 'Palladian Global' is to create social ventures that address diverse areas of societal need.
What was your first project? What were your lessons learned?
My first project was 'Pick a Book'. Initially, the project began as an office activity in Colombo, Sri Lanka. However, it evolved into a social venture with global aspirations when my co-founder, KVT Ramesh from India, and I brainstormed ways to scale its impact worldwide. Our journey with 'Pick a Book' presented numerous challenges, including fundraising and operational issues. These three years have been a roller coaster ride, filled with valuable learning experiences. Personally, I have gained a profound understanding of global social entrepreneurship perspectives, including the dos and don'ts. These insights will undoubtedly guide me in ensuring that my future ventures are error-free.
Describe your journey. Smooth sailing or a roller coaster ride?
Starting the reading club was a fruitful yet challenging journey, filled with hurdles from fundraising to executing on a global scale. 'Pick a Book' (PAB) began as a bootstrapped venture, and the initial obstacle was securing funding. We approached many investors in South Asia. The concept of promoting reading didn't always pique their interest. Likewise, when approaching impact investors in Western countries, we found that their investment ticket sizes were often larger than what we required. Nevertheless, all the investors we met appreciated our mission. This journey taught us invaluable lessons in fundraising. We've successfully completed our first round of funding and are now progressing towards the second round. As a venture, this experience has provided us with profound insights and learning opportunities.
Operating in five countries through PAB presents its own unique set of challenges. Understanding the diverse accounting environments, legal frameworks, and especially the behavioral patterns of our customers is proving to be a significant challenge. However, through consistent efforts in learning, networking, and building relationships, we overcame these obstacles.
What are you building right now? What is your ambition?
I am currently building a social venture called 'Palladian Global.' We have already initiated communities for parents, pet lovers, elders, and more. Our mission is to make a global impact and create a better world by fostering communities that support and empower each other.
How can everyone support you?
Identify a cause and assess whether you can contribute to society, even on a small scale. If you're currently employed, consider taking on a part-time project related to the cause. If you aspire to create a substantial impact, contemplate starting a social venture.
If you would like to learn more about ‘Pick a Book', please visit the website and social media pages:
