How to Build Wealth Legally in India: Akshat Shrivastava’s Career and Investing Strategy

TL;DR

To build wealth legally in India, use a high-quality job to earn initial capital and develop valuable skills, then invest in high-growth assets such as equities. Akshat Shrivastava describes going from a salary of roughly ₹12,000 to substantial wealth over 15 years through consulting, startups, continuous upskilling, equity ownership, and tax optimization. Read on for the practical steps and principles behind his approach.

Transcript

Hi guys. So roughly 15 years ago, I used to work with a nonprofit organization and my salary was somewhere around 12,000 rupees. Now this was not much. I was kind of struggling financially. But in the next 15 years, I took a series of steps in order to build my wealth. Now in 2025, I am sitting right on a large amount of wealth. I am based in UAE. ... Read More

Key Insights

• Initial wealth is often built through a high-quality job, which provides both income and skill development opportunities.
• Gold-standard jobs are those at top companies in an industry, offering better career stability and growth opportunities.
• Upskilling is crucial to avoid stagnation; continuous learning keeps your career dynamic and opens new opportunities.
• Investing wisely involves choosing high-growth asset classes like equities, rather than low-yield options like fixed deposits or real estate.
• Owning equity, either through stock options or direct investments, is a key method to build substantial wealth.
• Tax optimization becomes essential as wealth grows, with strategies like relocating to tax-friendly countries to minimize capital gains taxes.
• Risk-adjusted returns should guide investment decisions, focusing on maximizing returns relative to the risk taken.
• Buying time by outsourcing tasks or hiring help allows for more focus on strategic decisions, crucial for maintaining and growing wealth.

Questions & Answers

Q: How can you start building wealth legally in India?

Start by using a job to earn your first meaningful block of capital while developing valuable skills. Akshat Shrivastava then recommends investing wisely, particularly in high-growth assets such as equities, and considering tax optimization as your wealth increases.

Q: Why can a job be valuable for building initial wealth?

A job provides income and, as Akshat puts it, is a place where you get paid to be trained. His management consulting roles developed skills such as communication, client meetings, presentations, and professional self-presentation.

Q: What is a gold-standard job?

Akshat defines gold-standard jobs as approximately the top 1% to 2% of roles or companies within an industry. Examples mentioned include BCG and McKinsey in consulting, top hospitals for doctors, and Google or Microsoft in technology.

Q: How does a gold-standard job improve career security?

A top-tier employer adds recognizable experience to your résumé, which can make it easier to move to another gold- or silver-standard company after losing a role. Akshat argues that this can provide relative career safety for the next 5, 10, or 15 years.

Q: What role does upskilling play in wealth building?

Continuous learning helps prevent career stagnation and creates opportunities for better roles or career shifts. Akshat’s consulting experience, for example, strengthened practical communication, presentation, and client-management skills that added to his professional value.

Q: Why is investing important after earning initial capital?

Investing allows earned capital to participate in further wealth growth. The page emphasizes high-growth asset classes, primarily equities, while recommending that decisions be evaluated through risk-adjusted returns.

Q: Why is owning equity important for wealth building?

Equity ownership lets a person participate in the growth of a company rather than relying only on salary. The strategy can involve direct investments or stock options and is presented as a key route toward substantial wealth accumulation.

Q: How did Akshat Shrivastava build wealth over 15 years?

Akshat says he began with a nonprofit salary of roughly ₹12,000 and then took a series of career and business steps over the next 15 years. He worked at two top-tier consulting companies, attended a top-five business school, launched multiple startups, and sold one startup to obtain his initial money.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Building wealth begins with securing a high-quality job that offers both a good salary and valuable skills. These jobs, often at top-tier companies, provide stability and opportunities for growth.

• Investing is essential for wealth growth, with equities being a preferred choice due to their potential for high returns. Understanding risk-adjusted returns is crucial for making informed investment decisions.

• As wealth grows, tax optimization becomes important. Strategies like becoming a tax resident in countries with favorable tax laws can significantly reduce tax liabilities and enhance wealth preservation.