Animesh Sharma, founder of The IELTS Bridge and JC Campus Library, transitioned from a successful career in the oil and gas industry to education, where he built two thriving ventures. Despite early setbacks, his persistence and passion for helping others led him to succeed significantly in education.

Animesh Sharma is the founder of the IELTS Bridge and JC Campus Library. He has a background in petroleum engineering and completed his bachelor's degree in this field, followed by a master's in oil and gas management. Driven by his diverse expertise and passion for education, Animesh has significantly contributed to the IELTS coaching industry and the educational space through his ventures.

Animesh Sharma reflects on his achievements with a sense of humility, recognising titles such as "The Best IELTS Institute" and being featured among the "Top 100 Emerging Entrepreneurs" by Fox Story India. While he acknowledges these accolades, he emphasises that they are merely titles and not the true measure of success.

For Animesh, the most fulfilling achievement is not the recognition but the positive impact he has made in the lives of others. He takes immense pride in knowing that his work has inspired and guided many individuals on their journey, helping them achieve their goals. To him, true success lies in contributing to the growth and success of others, which remains his greatest source of fulfilment.

Animesh Sharma spent five years working in the oil and gas industry before gaining valuable experience at multinational companies like Infosys and MarketsAndMarkets. Seeking new opportunities, he moved to the Gulf, where he joined the Mergers & Acquisitions department of an oil firm. Despite his success in the corporate world, Sharma realised his true passion lay in teaching. After two years of working in the oil sector, he made a life-changing decision to leave his well-established career and pursue his dream of education.

He then founded The IELTS Bridge, an institute dedicated to helping students excel in English Proficiency Tests like IELTS. Beyond test preparation, his institute also offers personalised support for students applying for study visas, guiding them through every step of the process to ensure they can achieve their academic ambitions abroad. His shift from the corporate world to education showcases his commitment to making a difference in students’ lives and empowering them to reach their potential.

When asked about how he became interested in the teaching field, Animesh reflects on his upbringing. Both of his parents ran a school in Dehradun, which sparked his initial interest in education. However, the allure of corporate life led him away from Dehradun and the teaching profession. Despite this, Sharma eventually realised that teaching was in his blood. He believes that entering the teaching sector was not something he had planned, but rather, it was his destiny that guided him back to his true calling. This realisation reinforced his commitment to education and ultimately led him to establish his own institute.

Animesh Sharma shares that after completing his master's degree, he received two job offers—one from Infosys and another from Asia Consulting Group. He initially joined one of the organisations, but soon realised that the job role was not the right fit for him. Despite facing many questions and doubts from others, he made the difficult decision to quit and follow his own interests.

Taking a break to reevaluate his career path, Sharma eventually received an offer from MarketsAndMarkets Research. His journey continued to evolve as he secured a position in Dubai with an oil firm, where he worked in the merger and acquisition department, further expanding his professional experience.

Animesh reflects on how, despite the lucrative financial rewards of his job in Dubai, he found himself lacking productivity and fulfilment. In 2016, he made the bold decision to leave his high-paying job and start his own institute. Initially, he projected that within a year or two, the business would generate significant revenue, but reality proved different, and his first venture ended in failure.

Undeterred, Animesh launched a spoken English institute, but that too did not succeed. Facing setbacks, he closed both ventures and joined an IELTS institute, which turned out to be a pivotal moment in his career. In 2020, Animesh decided to open his own IELTS institute, ‘The IELTS Bridge,’ which has since become successful. Building on his passion for education, he also founded ‘JC Campus Library,’ a space dedicated to providing students with a quiet, focused environment for studying. Today, both his ventures are thriving, marking the culmination of years of persistence and learning from past experiences.

Sharma reflects on his experiences in the field with a sense of gratitude and positivity. He describes himself as an optimistic person who doesn’t view failures as setbacks but as valuable learning opportunities for the future. For Animesh, success is not about dwelling on his achievements but rather about continuously growing and improving. While he doesn’t get overly excited about the things he does well, he consistently strives to learn from his mistakes, using them as stepping stones to reach greater heights in his personal and professional journey.

Reflecting on his childhood, Sharma expresses deep contentment with the life he has lived so far. He takes great pride in every phase of his journey, whether it’s the joyful moments of his childhood or the challenges and failures he has faced along the way. He recalls his early years as being filled with happiness, supported by parents who were not only loving but also proactive in nurturing his growth.

Recognising the importance of developing well-rounded skills, his parents enrolled him in various classes during school vacations, ensuring he gained exposure to a wide range of experiences. This thoughtful guidance helped him build a versatile personality, one that continues to benefit him in both his personal and professional life.

When asked about his role models, Animesh reflects that it’s difficult to name just a few, as many individuals have played a significant role in shaping his journey. He acknowledges the profound influence of his guru, Shri Pushpadant Maharaj, whose guidance has been pivotal in his personal and professional growth. Along with him, Sharma credits figures like Gaurav Mishra, Sanjay Thakur, and several close friends who have supported and inspired him along the way.

He also mentions his cousin brother, whose presence has been a constant source of encouragement. For Animesh, these individuals, each contributing in their own unique way, have been his mentors and role models, helping him navigate challenges and stay focused on his goals.

Animesh Sharma offers a profound perspective on success, stating, "When someone experiences success early in life, they may struggle to handle it responsibly." He explains that individuals who achieve success too quickly may not fully understand the risks and challenges that come with it, as they have not yet developed a sense of fear about losing what they have gained.

For Animesh, true success isn’t just about reaching the peak but about maintaining it. He believes that consistency, persistence, and the ability to navigate challenges are what ultimately define lasting success. What matters most, he asserts, is not just achieving success but sustaining it over time.

In his free time, Animesh enjoys connecting with people, travelling, and engaging in adventurous activities that allow him to unwind and recharge.

When discussing stress, Sharma shares his perspective on overcoming tough times, saying, "There may be days when things don't go as planned, but it's important to view life in its totality." He explains that a difficult day or challenging period doesn’t define your journey. It’s simply one moment in time, and the next day could bring new opportunities and rewards.

He encourages maintaining hope and focusing on the bigger picture, reminding others that success is a marathon, not a sprint. The key is to stay positive and keep moving forward, even when faced with temporary setbacks. For Animesh, “Life is a game, and it doesn’t matter whether you win or lose, what’s important is that you continue playing.” Perseverance and persistence are two qualities that he advises everyone to have and practice in their lives.