Biography of Ashay Walambe: Co-Founder & CEO of Pustakwale- Entrepreneur

 Biography of Ashay Walambe: Co-Founder & CEO of Pustakwale- Entrepreneur

Biography of Ashay Walambe:

Ashay Walambe is a seasoned professional whose career journey reflects a blend of engineering expertise and entrepreneurial spirit. Based in Pune, India, Ashay is known for his multifaceted role as the Co-Founder of Pustakwale and a Product Management Specialist at Sapience Analytics. His career spans over 14 years and covers various domains including product management, business consulting, data analytics, and entrepreneurship.

From Engineering to Entrepreneurship

Ashay’s professional evolution began with a degree in Electrical Engineering from COEP Technological University. His academic foundation was further enriched by an MBA in Marketing from the University of Pune, where he excelled with an 'Outstanding' grade. His career started in technical roles but soon shifted towards entrepreneurship, where he has made significant contributions in the social enterprise sector.

The Birth of Pustakwale: A Bookstore on Wheels

In August 2020, Ashay co-founded Pustakwale, a unique bookstore on wheels designed to bring books directly to people’s doorsteps. This social enterprise aims to connect book lovers across Pune and make reading more accessible. Pustakwale has since become a vibrant part of the community, transforming the way books are distributed and enjoyed.

Biography of Ashay Walambe: Co-Founder & CEO of Pustakwale- Entrepreneur /Age/Net worth/wife/Pustakwale story/Ashay Walambe story/mobile bookstore 

Current Responsibilities: Scaling and Innovating

As the Co-Founder of Pustakwale, Ashay’s current responsibilities include scaling up operations and connecting with book enthusiasts across the city. He is actively involved in building IT systems for inventory management and customer relationship management (CRM), alongside analyzing data to derive actionable insights. His role also includes visiting various locations to personally engage with customers and promote reading.

Expertise in Product Management: A Dual Role

In addition to his work with Pustakwale, Ashay serves as a Product Management Specialist at Sapience Analytics. Here, he focuses on managing product strategy and roadmaps, as well as overseeing presales activities. His experience includes working on next-generation products and utilizing his background in technology to drive innovation and improve product offerings.

A Passion for Teaching: Sharing Knowledge

Ashay has also contributed to the academic world as an Adjunct Faculty member at the College of Engineering Pune (COEP). In this role, he taught Basics of Marketing to first-year MBA students. His involvement in education reflects his commitment to sharing knowledge and shaping the next generation of professionals.

Previous Roles: A Broad Spectrum of Experience

Before his ventures with Pustakwale and Sapience Analytics, Ashay accumulated extensive experience in various roles. He served as Lead Product Manager at Mindbody, where he managed product development and strategy. At BYJU’S, he worked on designing and implementing analytics-based reward systems and improving work-life balance for a large workforce.

Building a Career in Analytics and Consulting

Ashay’s career also includes significant stints at Sapience Analytics, where he held roles such as Principal Specialist in Product Management and Director of Professional Services. His work focused on understanding customer needs, managing enterprise clients, and delivering tailored solutions. His earlier experiences include roles at Infosys and Cognizant, where he honed his skills in pre-sales, business consulting, and ERP systems.

The Pustakwale Impact: A Mobile Bookstore Revolution

Pustakwale’s innovative model has successfully increased market coverage and book sales. The mobile bookstore has covered over 600 residential complexes and sold more than 25,000 books. By bringing books directly to readers’ doorsteps, Pustakwale has made reading more accessible and engaging for the community.

Overcoming Challenges: Efficient Planning and Coverage

Pustakwale faced challenges related to scheduling and planning their visits to residential complexes. The manual planning process limited their ability to cover multiple locations efficiently within a single day. To address this, they adopted Dista’s automated scheduling product, which enhanced their beat planning and allowed them to visit multiple residential complexes daily.

Leveraging Technology: Enhancing Operations

By utilizing Dista’s location intelligence and automated scheduling, Pustakwale significantly improved its operational efficiency. The technology enabled them to prioritize visits based on geographic proximity, allowing the bookstore to cover around five residential complexes each day. This strategic approach helped them expand their reach and better serve their customers.

Community Engagement: Connecting with Readers

Pustakwale’s mobile bookstore model has fostered strong community engagement. By bringing curated books directly to people’s homes, the enterprise has created opportunities for readers and non-readers alike to interact with books. This hands-on approach has stimulated discussions and increased interest in reading among diverse audiences.

Focus Areas: Time Management and Ed-Tech

Ashay’s professional interests extend beyond product management and entrepreneurship. He is passionate about time management, educational technology (Ed-Tech), and contributing to fundamental human needs such as access to books and cultural experiences. His involvement in these areas reflects his commitment to addressing key societal needs through innovative solutions.

Future Goals: Expanding Horizons

Looking ahead, Ashay Walambe aims to continue scaling Pustakwale and exploring new ways to integrate technology with community engagement. His goal is to further enhance the bookstore’s impact and reach, leveraging his expertise in product management and analytics to drive continued growth and innovation.

Conclusion: A Journey of Innovation and Impact

Ashay Walambe’s career is a testament to his ability to blend technical expertise with entrepreneurial vision. From engineering to founding a mobile bookstore, Ashay’s journey reflects a commitment to solving human problems and making a positive impact. His work with Pustakwale and Sapience Analytics showcases his dedication to innovation, community engagement, and the advancement of essential human needs.

Timeline of Ashay Walambe’s Journey

2006 - Graduates in Electrical Engineering from COEP Technological University.

2008 - Earns MBA in Marketing from the University of Pune with 'Outstanding' grade.

2010-2014 - Works in various roles including Lead Product Manager at Mindbody and analytics-based reward systems at BYJU’S.

2015-2019 - Gains extensive experience at Sapience Analytics and other firms in product management and consulting.

August 2020 - Co-founds Pustakwale, a mobile bookstore in Pune.

2021 - Implements Dista’s automated scheduling to improve operational efficiency for Pustakwale.

2022 - Covers over 600 residential complexes and sells 25,000+ books through Pustakwale.

2023 - Continues as Product Management Specialist at Sapience Analytics and engages in community outreach with Pustakwale.

2024 - Focuses on scaling Pustakwale and integrating technology with community engagement for future growth.

Biography of Ashay Walambe: Co-Founder & CEO of Pustakwale- Entrepreneur /Age/Net worth/wife/Pustakwale story/Ashay Walambe story/mobile bookstore