Early Life and Academic Pursuits
Santhosh Maryala’s journey began with a strong focus on education. He pursued an MBA in HR and Finance from Osmania University and an MSc in Psychology from Kakatiya University. This dual specialization stemmed from his realization of the importance of psychology in HR assessments, which he believed would be essential for career growth. His mentor, Dr. Narsin Vijaya, encouraged him to embark on an innovative project that fueled his passion for creating jobs and boosting the nation’s GDP. This early insight led Santhosh to dream of building successful companies.
Building Metrolabs Services Pvt Ltd
After gaining work experience, Santhosh launched Metrolabs Services in January 2020. Initially securing Paytm as a client and managing payroll for over 150 employees of Cygni Energy, Metrolabs quickly gained traction. However, the COVID-19 pandemic struck in March 2020, stalling their progress. This downtime allowed Santhosh to refine the company’s strategy, focusing on building a strong digital presence to reach clients in a time when traditional methods were losing relevance.
Combining HR and IT Services
Santhosh recognized a gap in the market for companies that integrated HR with IT development, an opportunity he pursued in partnership with his friend, Prakash Peddi. Together, they developed a unique combination of payroll and IT services, landing their first project with L&T for networking services. This success encouraged them to expand Metrolabs from a single entity to a private limited company. Despite early setbacks, Santhosh and his team pushed forward, securing both domestic and international clients, with major contributions coming from payroll management for companies in the USA and Canada.
Expanding Services and Vision
Santhosh’s vision was clear: to expand Metrolabs into a one-stop solution for HR and digital needs. Over time, the company diversified into HR audits, consultations, internships, business consulting, digital marketing, and international payroll services. Each new service offering was driven by Santhosh’s determination to address the evolving needs of businesses and his clients’ feedback.
Company Culture and Values
At the heart of Metrolabs is a strong commitment to work-life balance. Santhosh believes that productivity thrives when employees have time for family and friends. A core principle at Metrolabs is to end the workday by 6:30 PM, a policy aimed at fostering employee satisfaction and loyalty.
Overcoming Challenges and Future Goals
Santhosh has faced numerous challenges, from moving out of a coworking space to establishing a permanent office and navigating client management and technology adoption. His most difficult challenge has been maintaining financial stability, ensuring timely salary disbursements, and adapting to rapid technological changes. Despite these hurdles, he remains focused on his goals for the company, aiming to enter the IPO market within five years and expand office space while fostering long-term partnerships and client relationships.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Santhosh advocates for gaining practical work experience before starting a business. His advice to young entrepreneurs is simple but powerful: “Don’t fear failure.” His journey reflects resilience, adaptability, and the importance of continuous learning, qualities that have propelled Metrolabs Services Pvt Ltd to become a trusted name in HR and IT services.
