Interview Times 
FEATURE: Sheikh Obed Ali’s journey into entrepreneurship is a tale of resilience, resourcefulness, and faith. Growing up in Keonjhar, he had his first encounter with business while working in the transportation sector. At the time, his venture seemed promising, but the rise of illegal mining activities in 2010 led to a devastating financial downfall. Forced to reevaluate his options, Sheikh Obed made a bold decision—he moved to Bhubaneswar, leaving behind the familiar in search of new opportunities.
Arriving in Bhubaneswar, Sheikh Obed initially joined a real estate company, hoping for a fresh start. However, despite his hard work, the company never paid him. Instead of allowing this experience to discourage him, he found inspiration. “Why rely on others when I can create something on my own?” he thought. With only 20,000 rupees in his pocket, and a family to support, he decided to take a leap of faith. In 2011, Sheikh Obed founded RB Group, initially focusing on the property business.
The early days were tough. Money was scarce, and to keep the business afloat, Sheikh Obed even sold his wife’s jewellery to raise funds. Living in a small 1BHK house with his family, he often skipped meals just to save money. Reflecting on those times, he emphasizes the lessons they taught him. “I learned how business works, how money flows, and how to manage finances,” he says. These lessons were hard-earned, with clients sometimes cheating him and losses piling up, but they shaped him into the entrepreneur he is today.
Over the years, RB Group began to grow. From its humble beginnings in property sales, it expanded into property consultancy, interior design, transport, and even home automation. Sheikh Obed was determined to offer clients a complete package—so they wouldn’t have to run from one service provider to another.
However, his ambitions go beyond just expanding RB Group. Sheikh Obed harbors a deep desire to give back to the community. One of his future dreams is to open an old age home. Driven by a sense of responsibility and compassion for the elderly, Sheikh Obed envisions a space where they can live with dignity and comfort in their later years. This dream, he believes, is not just a business goal but a way of making a meaningful difference in society.
His success, however, didn’t come overnight. The road was filled with obstacles, from financial hardships to being deceived by people along the way. Yet, he never lost hope. His faith in God and the support of his family were the driving forces that kept him going.
Sheikh Obed believes that the responsibility of those in the real estate business goes beyond simply selling properties. “People come to us with their life savings. We’re not just helping them build houses; we’re helping them build dreams,” he explains. This belief has shaped his approach to business—one based on honesty, transparency, and delivering quality. He emphasizes that trust is the cornerstone of his relationship with clients, and his company’s growth is a reflection of that trust.
For Sheikh Obed, the lessons of his journey are clear. He encourages young entrepreneurs to be prepared for hard work and persistence. He stresses the importance of learning extensively before starting out, understanding the technicalities of the industry, and, above all, building credibility by being honest with clients. “In this business, trust is everything,” he says. His advice to those entering the field is to register under RERA and ensure that the money clients invest is used wisely.
Looking back on his journey, Sheikh Obed holds firmly to the belief that “loss is the pillar of success.” Every setback, every failure, has been a stepping stone toward growth. His story is not just one of overcoming hardship, but of using those hardships as lessons for future success. Today, while RB Group is still growing, Sheikh Obed is confident that with continued hard work and faith, the company will one day reach even greater heights.
