Ten years. It’s a milestone that feels both like a lifetime and a blink of an eye. Looking back at where I started and where I am today, I realize that my time at eLEOPARD has been much more than just a “stable job” – it has been a journey of transformation.
The Search for a Place to Call Home
The Interview: A Test of Skill and Nerves
When the response finally arrived, it felt like a significant win. I headed to the interview without hesitation. There, I met the owners and was introduced to Mr. Skand Bhandarkar, who handed me my first challenge: a webpage design task using HTML and CSS.
Though the details are a bit hazy now – as it happened so long ago – I remember the focus and determination I felt. I completed the task on time, shook hands, and walked out, beginning the agonizing wait for the results.
The Two-Week Wait
While waiting for eLEOPARD’s feedback, I interviewed with several other companies. However, in the back of my mind, I was always rooting for eLEOPARD. When a call finally came two weeks later for a final round, I felt a rush of adrenaline.
“The anticipation was overwhelming; so many thoughts raced through my mind about whether I was finally at the doorstep of my future.”
Selection: More Than Just a Contract
The final round was unlike any I had experienced. I was greeted cheerfully by the leadership team: Mr. Skand Bhandarkar, Mr. Shobhit Agarwal, and Mr. Satyam Naik. Instead of a grueling technical interrogation, they sat me down and said, “There are no more rounds. You don’t have to worry – you are selected.”
They spent that time introducing themselves and explaining the company’s vision and my role within it. I left the office with an overwhelming sense of joy. I remember stopping to buy sweets on the way home to surprise my family; they hadn’t even known I was interviewing! Their happiness for me made the moment even more special.
The First Month: Learning the eLEOPARD Way
I hit the ground running. My first task was to bridge the gap between my existing HTML/CSS/JS knowledge and the company’s tech stack. Skand asked me to learn LESS (Leaner Style Sheets). It was my first introduction to CSS preprocessors, and it opened my eyes to how eLEOPARD prioritized modern, efficient workflows.
Soon, I was assigned to DonateKart, an e-commerce platform for NGOs. Working on a project with such a deep social impact showed me early on that eLEOPARD wasn’t just about code – it was about excellence and empathy in Web and UX design.
Year After Year: Growing Together
What started as a trial period turned into a decade of shared evolution. As eLEOPARD grew, I grew with it.
- Expanding the Family: In my first year, we moved to a larger office to accommodate our growing team. It was exciting to see new faces joining our “family” and to feel the energy of a scaling company.
- Diverse Challenges: Over the years, I’ve worked on global projects across countless industries. From internal products to custom WordPress and Joomla plugins, the variety kept my skills sharp and my work exciting.
- Support Through the Storm: When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the true heart of eLEOPARD was revealed. While the world panicked, our leadership provided unwavering support. Those who fell ill were given the time and resources to recover fully. Even after lockdowns lifted, we were given the flexibility to work from home until we felt safe and ready to return.
A Decade of Technical Evolution
In the world of technology, ten years is an eternity. Staying relevant requires constant learning, and my journey at eLEOPARD has been a masterclass in frontend evolution.
When I started, I was focused on the basics of HTML and CSS. Since then, my toolkit has expanded to include industry-leading frameworks like Bootstrap, Material UI, UIKit, and many more. I’ve navigated the complexities of diverse ecosystems, from building robust WordPress sites to developing mobile solutions using the Ionic framework.
One of the most significant shifts in my workflow was transitioning to SCSS. While I started with LESS, SCSS became the “superset” of CSS that I truly fell in love with. Even today, I’m constantly exploring new ways to push its limits to create cleaner, more maintainable code.
Currently, I work across a high-tech landscape involving Angular, React, Next.js, and React Native. However, my role has evolved into something much deeper than just writing code. While I still take the lead in building structures via HTML and SCSS, a major part of my day involves:
- Bridging the Gap: Gathering critical inputs from clients, my mentors, and team members.
- Strategic Communication: Translating those complex requirements into actionable plans for the development team.
- Quality Assurance: Ensuring that the final delivery perfectly aligns with our original vision.
In the early days, I was focused on how to build; today, I am focused on what we build and how well we deliver it. Taking ownership of the final output is one of my proudest responsibilities in my current role.
The Ten-Year Perspective: 5 Lessons Learned
Reflecting on a decade at the same desk (in various offices!) has taught me things that no textbook ever could. Here are the five most valuable lessons I’m taking into my next decade:
1. Tools Change, But Logic is Forever
2. Communication is a Technical Skill
3. Stability Fuels Creativity
4. Perfection is the Enemy of Progress
5. Culture is the Strongest Safety Net
A Culture of Connection
As an introvert, meeting new people can be daunting. However, the culture at eLEOPARD made me feel at home almost instantly.
“We don’t just work in departments; we work as a singular, cohesive team where everyone is encouraged to enhance their skills.”
In all those years, it was never just about the daily grind. We truly enjoyed working together because we genuinely enjoyed being together. We celebrated every festival with equal fervor, regardless of our different backgrounds or religions – turning the office into a colorful second home. From intense game marathons to casual movie nights, we found countless ways to bond beyond our monitors.
We proudly celebrate and embrace our nation’s achievements across many fields. Whether it is the successful missions of our Indian Space Research Organisation scientists, the remarkable performances of our Olympic athletes, or the victories of our teams in sports like cricket, hockey, and football, these moments unite us as a nation. One such unforgettable moment was when we all gathered together to watch the historic landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon’s south pole. As the landing was confirmed, the room filled with cheers and pride, a moment that truly reflected our shared excitement and admiration for the achievement.
Our adventures also took us far beyond the office walls. We’ve shared incredible memories on trips to Mandu, Pachmari, Fundore, and Nakrali Dhani, as well as bigger excursions like the Jaipur trip and Imagica in Mumbai, whether we were splashing around at Tornado Water Park, Aqua Imagica, or exploring a new city.
Our most recent trip to Goa was a standout highlight that I’ll never forget. It wasn’t just a vacation; it was a trip of “firsts” for me. Thanks to eLEOPARD, I experienced my very first flight journey, an exhilarating milestone I had always looked forward to. The luxury didn’t stop there; we enjoyed a private yacht ride and a grand party right on the water. We all returned home exhausted, but it was that “good” kind of tired—the kind that comes from laughing too hard and celebrating a decade of shared success. It was never just about the destination; it was about the company. Those shared laughs are what truly turned us from colleagues into a family.
One of my greatest personal achievements is the lasting bonds I’ve formed here. Many colleagues have moved on to new chapters over the last ten years, but we remain in close contact. This speaks volumes about the “eLEOPARD bond” – we aren’t just coworkers; we are a community.
Mentorship That Matters
I cannot reflect on these ten years without honoring the mentors who shaped my path. The leadership trio of Skand, Shobhit, and Satyam has built more than just a company; they’ve created a synergy where UI/UX, Development, and Motion Graphics collaborate seamlessly. Their vision ensures that we don’t just work in silos, but as a unified creative force.
Their support has always extended far beyond professional checklists. Years ago, when I faced a family emergency, they didn’t hesitate to let me work from home. At a time when “remote work” wasn’t even a common industry term, their priority was my family’s well-being. This culture of trust is exactly what allows a simple idea to be nurtured into a successful project. They don’t just assign tasks; they listen, embrace our inputs, and provide the constant encouragement needed to excel.
This guidance isn’t limited to our current projects. To keep us at the cutting edge, they frequently host internal seminars on emerging market trends and new technologies. They even go the extra mile by inviting external experts to share knowledge on various subjects, focusing on our holistic growth. To them, growth isn’t just about technical output; it’s about nurturing us as individuals, helping us manage stress, improve our communication, and develop life skills that serve us far beyond the office walls.
This care for the “whole person” is woven into the very fabric of eLEOPARD. Every year, our office transforms into a wellness center as we host medical camps to ensure the team stays healthy. The leadership team truly treats our families as their own. For fostering this incredible balance of professional excellence and genuine care, I want to extend a special thank you to our current HR, Ms. Anustha Shrivastava. Her dedication is the glue that makes eLEOPARD feel like a true support system rather than just a workplace.
Looking Forward
A Letter to My Day-1 Self
If I could go back to 2015 and sit down with that version of myself – the one nervously walking into the eLEOPARD office for the first time – this is what I would say:
“First, take a deep breath. Release the psychological pressure you’re carrying from past experiences or your personal background. Don’t let those burdens weigh you down; you are entering a space where you are allowed to start fresh.
You are about to embark on a journey where you need to learn something new every single day. It’s not just about learning how to write better code; it’s about learning how to survive and thrive in a professional world. Stay open to everything. Try to grasp every bit of positivity that comes your way, no matter how small.
Remember, growth is a marathon, not a sprint. You will flourish as long as you stay focused and keep loving what you do. And please, don’t wait weeks to ask a question. Your mentors are your greatest resource – lean on them! They aren’t there to judge your work; they are there to help build your career.
Finally, stop being so afraid of making mistakes. Every bug you create is just a lesson in disguise. One day, you’ll look back at those ‘naive’ moments and realize they were the very things that made you the expert you are today.”
To my mentors, colleagues, and friends at eLEOPARD: Thank you for an incredible ten years. Here is to many more!
