How I started Gari Tech as a student entrepreneur in Chennai

The short answer: I started Gari Tech in February 2024, in my first year at Panimalar Engineering College in Chennai. It began as a small design shop that made things in Canva, and it grew into a content marketing and web agency. This is how, including the parts I am not proud of.

Before Gari Tech

I have been near technology since I was small, and I have always liked opening things to see what is inside. In 10th standard I searched for how to make money online, found reselling, and started selling products to strangers on Sharechat. The money was small. The lesson was not.

The Canva shop

In first year I wanted to start something again, so I opened a small design shop, making things in Canva. Later a friend, Charan Kumar, joined, we added more services and split the work.

The lie about WordPress

When we added web development, my friend took marketing and I said I would take design and web. There was one small problem. I had never opened WordPress in my life, but I had already told him I knew it.

So, technically, I lied. Then I fixed it. I asked my parents for a laptop, and they bought it. I asked for hosting and a domain, and they gave me both. My parents rarely say no when it is about learning. Only after buying the hosting did I install WordPress for the first time and start from zero. I do not recommend the order, but I cannot argue with the result. Several websites later, I can build them properly.

Third year, and a split

In my third year my friend and I decided to go in different directions. He is more into marketing and started his own thing, and I am happy for him. It let me go deeper into Gari Tech. Since then, most of our clients have come through referrals and trials.

What I would tell another student founder

Sell before you are ready. You will learn faster with a real client waiting.
Tell people what you can do, then make it true fast. I do not recommend the lie. I do recommend the speed.
Ask for the small yes. Parents, friends and first clients are usually more helpful than you expect.
Learn to finish. I have more than 50 projects on my drive, and many are unfinished. Gari Tech is one I kept going with.
Stay consistent past week two. Everything that has worked for me worked after the excitement wore off.

Practical advice for student founders in Chennai

This is opinion from one person's experience, not a formula.

Balance college and a business honestly

College does not stop because you started something. I run Gari Tech alongside classes, so the sensible rule for any student founder is to be clear with clients about when you can reply, and never promise something you cannot deliver. It is better to under promise and be early.

Start with what you can already do

I started with Canva because it was the thing I could do that someone would pay for. You do not need to begin with your ideal service. Begin with a small, real service, then grow into the bigger one.

Get a first client from people you know

The first client rarely comes from a stranger. It comes from someone who knows you and trusts you a little. Tell people plainly what you offer. A small, honest first project beats a big, vague pitch.

Show your work

A student has no long portfolio, so build one quickly. Every website or design you finish becomes proof for the next client. That is why I keep the live sites and the reviews on the Gari Tech page.

Be honest about what you do not know yet

I told someone I knew WordPress before I did, and I got away with it because I learned fast. I would not recommend it as a plan. A better version is: "I have not done this exact thing before, and here is how I will learn it quickly." Clients respect honesty more than confidence.

Treat referrals as your marketing

Most of our clients come through referrals and trials. The best marketing a small agency has is a client who tells a friend. That means clear communication, fair pricing and finishing what you promised.

Keep learning in public

I learned a lot from people I have never met, through videos and posts. If you write or post about what you are learning, you build a reputation while you build skills. I write about content and marketing on this blog and on LinkedIn.

What I got wrong

I started too many things at once. I have more than 50 projects on my drive, and many are unfinished.
I told someone I knew a tool before I had opened it, which is a habit I would not repeat.

Frequently asked questions

Can a student start a business in Chennai?

Yes. Many students start small service businesses, such as design, content or websites, with very little money. What matters is a real first client and the discipline to finish the work.

How did Boobesh AG start Gari Tech?

He started it in February 2024, in his first year of college in Chennai, as a small design shop making things in Canva. It grew into content marketing, social media, branding and WordPress websites.

Who is the founder of Gari Tech?

Boobesh AG, also known as Boo, founded Gari Tech.

What does Gari Tech do now?

It is a content marketing agency in Chennai that does content strategy, social media, Reels, Meta Ads support, branding and websites.

Where did Boobesh AG study?

He studies B.Tech Computer Science and Business Systems at Panimalar Engineering College in Chennai, and went to Santhome Higher Secondary School in Mylapore.

How can I contact Boobesh AG?

Through LinkedIn or the form on the Gari Tech page.

What it looks like now

Gari Tech does content marketing, social media, Reels, Meta Ads support, branding and WordPress websites. Clients have left six Google reviews, all five stars, and I have collected the projects in Gari Tech case studies. I also lead marketing at Tribe Fortis and Your College Senior. The fuller, less polished version of this story is in who Boobesh is, actually.

I am Boobesh AG, a young entrepreneur in Chennai. If you are a student thinking about starting something, message me on LinkedIn.