Narin Charan – CEO of Capital Alliance

Narin

Born and raised in sunny California, Narin Charan is the CEO of Capital Alliance, a tech-enabled direct lender dedicated to providing simple, transparent solutions for small businesses to obtain capital.

After 10 years of service as CEO for Capital Alliance,  Narin Charan carries the same enthusiasm and passion for his work as the early days starting the company out of a 150 square foot office in Orange County, California. To date, Capital Alliance has deployed over $500 million to thousands of small businesses across the United States.

Outside of his work, Narin Charan is an avid Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner and competitor.

 

What is your hobby?

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

 

How did you get started with this hobby? What inspired you?

Since a kid, I have always been intrigued with the idea of Bushido, or the Way of the Warrior. The ‘way’ emphasizes samurai values like mastery, honor and loyalty. Our co-founder introduced me to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu back during our cold calling days. What started as a hobby became a lifestyle.

 

Tell us what you love about it.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a game of submitting your opponent utilizing strategic positioning and leverage. Sounds uncannily similar to the business game, right? There are many parallels between combat and business – strategy, positioning, leverage, timing – the list goes on. The game unfolds at different cadences, but they are very similar.

 

Are there any groups you’re a part of or events that you attend related to your hobby?

The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu community in general is like no other. We typically promote healthy lifestyle, humility, and constant self-development. I have met some amazing people on the mat. There are also the inevitable bonds formed from sharing years of blood and sweat with your training partners.

 

Are there any good books for beginners?

A Book of Five Rings: The Classic Guide to Strategy by Miyamoto Musashi is an excellent book for anyone interested in martial arts or business strategy. Musashi believed martial arts involved a mastery of the mind rather than simply developing technical prowess.

 

How has this changed your life?

“There is nothing outside of yourself that can ever enable you to get better, stronger, richer, quicker, or smarter. Everything is within. Everything exists. Seek nothing outside of yourself.”

“Do not sleep under a roof. Carry no money or food. Go alone to places frightening to the common brand of men. Become a criminal of purpose. Be put in jail, and extricate yourself by your own wisdom.”

“There is timing in the whole life of the warrior, in his thriving and declining, in his harmony and discord. Similarly, there is timing in the Way of the merchant, in the rise and fall of capital. All things entail rising and falling timing. You must be able to discern this.”

 

Enough said.

 

What advice do you have for others starting out with this hobby?

Accept the fact that you will be dominated and beaten regularly during the beginning stages of your training. Embrace this as part of the process. Be patient and enjoy the journey.

 

Are there any other hobbies you have?

I love to experience nature with my kids. I also enjoy running, the Arts, and reading about Philosophy.