Krish Ravipati: stepping up and giving back

Krish Ravipati is originally from Hyderabad, India. Completing his Bachelor’s in Commerce India, he embarked on a transformative journey to Australia 22 years ago. Setting his sights on expanding his horizons, he completed his IT degree and secured permanent residency in 2003.

After a stint at ANZ bank in Sydney, Krish came to Brisbane, marking the beginning of his long-term relationship with Queensland, a place he affectionately calls “Home”.

His career has had a number of diverse experiences across business, finance and information technology. He directs a bookkeeping firm in Loganholme and is the treasurer of the Logan Chamber of Commerce. With his wife, Felicity, he runs a YouTube channel called Mastering Aussie Culture and Etiquette. He recently shared his insights with SMP Magazine on this and other aspects of his life in Australia.

The podcast host

Common feedback migrants get when applying for a job is the lack of local experience. What I’ve come to understand is that this means we don’t have local cultural experience.

When I was last in India with my wife Felicity and our family, a lot of people asked us questions about Australia. I realised there was a gap that we could help to fill by sharing our knowledge of Australian culture and helping people to succeed at work in Australia too.

As my wife is Australian and I’m an Indian, we decided to create a series of short courses where I ask her a question on behalf of Indians she answers on behalf of Australians. We set up a YouTube channel and have done 23 episodes so far. It’s been well received and has not only helped my Indian friends but also created more understanding among Australians.

The entrepreneur

I’m the director of Accounts Advantage who are experts in bookkeeping for child care centres. Being part of this business lets me exercise my three best qualities. Firstly, I can use my accounting skills, secondly, I can exercise my fascination for information technology, and thirdly, I get to talk to people, which is something I love.

I also love the childcare industry. I feel part of being able to shape the future. I’ve read some research that says kids who attend childcare are more well rounded and have better careers. I don’t know how far that’s true, but I believe it and it makes me happy to play a small part in their journey.

The accountant

Even though we’ve only been running the business for two years, I’m very aware of the importance of financial literacy.

Many people start with a passion and want to serve that passion. But there’s a commercial reality to any business and you need to understand that reality. Before the money comes in there’s a lot of money going out. Salaries. Rent. Raw materials if you’re in manufacturing. Software if you’re in the service business.

Entrepreneurs genuinely give 1000 percent and I have the greatest respect for them. Many small businesses don’t survive the first five years. When the passion doesn’t convert to the financial reality you get burned out and risk losing your home. So I say to all entrepreneurs: “Yes, have a passion, but please understand the commercial reality as well”.

The volunteer

I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to live and work in Australia and it’s important to me to give back to the community that has looked after me.

Around ten years ago I became treasurer for a local organisation and later became treasurer for my daughter’s school P and C. When an opportunity came up to be the treasurer of the Logan Chamber of Commerce, I was happy to step up. And it’s been such a positive experience for me. Volunteering your time gives you the greatest satisfaction – you definitely get out more than you put in.

The mentor

My advice to fellow migrants when applying for jobs is to consider what the employer is looking for, rather than just laying out your qualifications. The key is to demonstrate that you can do the job. For example, I was going for a job that involved teaching software, so I created a series of software training videos on YouTube to show future employers. Someone saw it and I actually got a job that way.

This approach could also work for customer service scenarios and many other jobs. Being creative and recording an interview with a prospective employer is also a great idea. You can answer most of the questions that would be asked and save time for the employer.

Australia is a good country. There are great opportunities here and life is genuinely good. What motivates me is my belief that if you give back to the country that looks after us so well, it will give back to you tenfold.