The chemist had opened his first medical shop in 2010. The odds were stacked against him. Customers were reluctant to trust a newcomer, his shelves were almost bare, and his inability to speak Marathi made matters worse. With no employees and little income, he often went hungry and used the shop floor as his bed. More than once, he considered shutting the business.
The Harvard graduate who shared the story noted that it was not just about earnings but about endurance.
A story of endurance from Maharashtra has sparked wide discussion online, highlighting how patience and persistence can outweigh formal credentials in business. A Marwari chemist, who once slept on the floor of his shop with barely enough food, went on to own three pharmacies, two homes and a car after holding on to a principle from his community’s tradition: give every enterprise 1,000 days before deciding its fate.
The account was circulated by a Harvard-educated financial advisor on social media, who described it as an illustration of why surviving the first three years can often matter more than instant results.
The chemist had opened his first medical shop in 2010. The odds were stacked against him. Customers were reluctant to trust a newcomer, his shelves were almost bare, and his inability to speak Marathi made matters worse. With no employees and little income, he often went hungry and used the shop floor as his bed. More than once, he considered shutting the business.
What prevented him from walking away was a saying he had grown up with in his Marwari household: “Dhanda 1000 din chale” — a belief that one must allow a business 1,000 days before judging whether it will survive.
That outlook proved decisive. Gradually, local residents began to see him as the neighbourhood chemist, his reputation for reliability grew, and he learnt how to adapt to demand. By the fourth year, his store was profitable. By the eighth, he had opened a second branch. By the fifteenth, he was inaugurating his third outlet. Over that period, he also managed to purchase two houses and a car — achievements that stood in stark contrast to his early days of rationing meals and fighting self-doubt.
The Harvard graduate who shared the story noted that it was not just about earnings but about endurance: remaining long enough in a place to become part of the community, learn its language and rhythms, and gain the trust of its people.
The thread triggered a wave of responses. One commentator wrote that the principle could be applied well beyond commerce: “If someone can give three years of focused effort to anything — whether career, fitness, or overall well-being — the results can be extraordinary.”
Another user recounted the journey of a Marwari migrant from Rajasthan who began by working in an ice cream shop before starting his own cart. That cart became a shop, later grew into a three-storey home, and eventually expanded into three shops now managed by him and his sons. The user described such entrepreneurs, who achieved success despite limited formal schooling, as “self-trained MBAs.”
The same user also mentioned a panipuri vendor from Uttar Pradesh who, through hard work, adaptability and persistence, was able to provide his family with financial stability and a decent standard of living.
A separate response focused on the psychological value of the 1,000-day rule itself. One observer commented: “It works like psychology — pushing people to stay steady through the rough patches when most are tempted to give up. While three years may feel endless, calling it 1,000 days makes it sound concrete and achievable.” They argued that this kind of practical wisdom demonstrated the strength of the Marwari approach to business and community life.
Meanwhile, other users hailed the perseverance of the chemist and praised his ideology in the comments section.
"Absolutely. If you can give 3 years focus in ANYTHING. Be it career, business, health or well being, you can achieve unimaginable heights.
Another user wrote, "That Marwadi wisdom is gold. Most businesses fail because people quit before day 1000.
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