My Journey
Hi, I'm Suraj Shanbhag. My path to financial independence wasn't paved with shortcuts or handouts; it was all about discipline, hard choices, and a commitment to doing things the right way.
The Starting Point
I came from a place where financial security was a luxury. After finishing my engineering degree, I chose an MBA at IIT Madras over a Masters abroad, not because it was easier, but because my family needed me. In July 2012, fresh out of IIT Madras, I joined Nomura as an analyst in Mumbai. I didn't even know what investment banking was until the night before my interview. But I knew one thing: this was my opportunity to change everything.
The Grind
Those early years were relentless. 90+hour weeks. Excel models at 3 AM. Learning on live deals because no MBA truly prepares you for the real thing. But I did something most people don't, I started investing from my very first salary. Not after I had enough. Not after I bought everything I wanted. From month one, I chose discipline over lifestyle inflation.
In 2013, I moved to Deutsche Bank. Better opportunities, better compensation. Then came the turning point in 2017, an internal mobility opportunity to Chicago. It was the break that accelerated everything. For the next six years, I worked on deals worth over $13+bn across Fortune 500 companies like Dow, DuPont, Crown Holdings, and Berry Global. I was exposed to global markets, world-class dealmaking, and how truly wealthy companies think about capital allocation and long-term value creation.
The Real Story
But here's what mattered more than the deals: my wife. When we got married, she understood the mission. She supported every sacrifice including saying no to expensive vacations, skipping luxury purchases, living in good but not extravagant homes. There were months, especially in those early years, when I'd run out of money by the 25th because we were renting and bought an under-construction house in Mumbai, and she'd transfer me fuel money to get to work. Those moments taught me that real wealth is built on partnership and trust, not ego.
We had our son in 2018. Instead of lifestyle inflation, we adjusted smartly and kept investing. We diversified across equities, bonds, real estate, and international exposure. We rebalanced regularly. We didn't panic during COVID. We didn't get greedy during bull runs.
The Achievement
By July 2023, at age 35, we had done it. We weren't billionaires, but we had reached financial independence. We didn't need to work for money anymore. Most people would have retired quietly. I came back to India instead.
Why? Because I saw something I couldn't ignore. I saw smart, educated people buried under personal loans taken to impress relatives. I saw friends losing life savings to guaranteed-return schemes that turned out to be scams. I saw young professionals not investing at all because they thought you needed lakhs to start. And I realized: financial literacy in India isn't about intelligence, it's about access to honest, practical guidance.
Our Mission
Vessify exists to democratize financial knowledge. No gatekeeping. No hidden agendas. Just the strategies I've lived through—the wins, the losses, and everything in between.
We're here to prove that:
Wealth creation isn't about luck or genius. It's about discipline and diversification.
You don't need to be in investment banking to build real wealth. You just need to start early, stay consistent, and make smart choices.
Respect doesn't come from what you flaunt. It comes from the security you build for your family.
My promise to you:
I will never sell false dreams. No "10x your money in 30 days" nonsense.
I will always be transparent. If I make a mistake, I own it. If I don't know something, I say so.
I will teach you what I learned the hard way. So you don't have to make the same mistakes.
I will always prioritize your long-term wealth over short-term gains.
Credentials & Compliance
I'm backing this approach with real credentials and a commitment to doing things the right way:
International Qualifications:
FINRA Series 63 & 79 licenses (U.S. financial regulations)
FCA certification (UK Financial Conduct Authority)
India-Specific Certifications:
NISM Research Analyst Certification
NISM Investment Adviser Certification
Professional Background:
11+ years in global investment banking across Mumbai, Melbourne, Chicago, and London
Vice President, advising on $13+ billion in M&A and capital markets deals
Clients included Fortune 500 companies: Dow, DuPont, Crown Holdings, Berry Global
Current Registration:
Actively registering as a SEBI-Registered Research Analyst (RA) to bring institutional-grade research and analysis to individual investors