SURAJ ETHIRAJAN
Tech Executive’s Journey to Abundance with Suraj Ethirajan
On this episode of Big Bold Moves; Abundant Life, I sat down with Suraj Ethirajan, founder of GroUNow, to explore his journey from refugee beginnings in Kuwait to building a thriving career as a Silicon Valley tech executive, and ultimately, as a coach guiding leaders toward abundance.
From Refugee to Tech Executive
Suraj’s story is one of resilience, reinvention and determination. Growing up as a refugee in Kuwait, he faced challenges that most would never imagine. Yet those early struggles shaped his perspective on life, work, and leadership. His move to the Bay Area marked a new chapter, one that blended his engineering background with global leadership roles at Fortune 500 companies. Today, he draws on those experiences to help executives eliminate team conflicts and increase profit margins by transforming high-performing professionals in just a matter of weeks.
Redefining Abundance
When asked about abundance, Suraj didn’t point to financial success. Instead, he defined it as a mindset, a way of being that prioritizes fulfillment, contribution, and connection. His philosophy is clear: abundance isn’t about the size of your bank account, but about the strength of your perspective and your ability to move through life’s challenges with gratitude.
Turning Conflict into Collaboration
Leadership, according to Suraj, is not about hierarchy but about creating environments where people feel safe. He shared how unresolved conflicts often stem from ego and fear, but by addressing the problem instead of the person, leaders can transform friction into collaboration. His strategies, grounded in personal anecdotes, reveal how empathy and clarity can turn even the toughest challenges into opportunities for growth.
Bold Moves in Love and Life
One of Suraj’s biggest bold moves wasn’t in business at all, it was asking his now-wife out by email over 17 years ago. That leap of courage led to a lifelong partnership that
he treasures. He reminded listeners that in both love and business, asking for help and being willing to invest in yourself is crucial. Whether overcoming burnout or seeking clarity, no one should face their challenges alone.
Building Business and Community
Suraj also opened up about his decision to leave corporate life and pursue his entrepreneurial path, a choice fueled by his journey to financial independence. His coaching program now helps tech leaders and underrepresented individuals build confidence, improve communication, and stand tall in corporate environments. His vision for GroUNow is to expand its impact, bringing his proven methods to more leaders and teams across corporate America.
Coaching for Lasting Transformation
Suraj’s leadership coaching program runs for 12 weeks, typically with groups of five. His approach ensures that teams learn to operate independently once his engagement is complete. Leaders may renew contracts to bring in new groups, and Suraj also offers prompt engineering packages to help clients construct persuasive arguments quickly. For individuals outside of corporate settings, he extends discounts, making his coaching accessible to a broader audience.
Beyond Business: Projects and Passions
In addition to coaching, Suraj is passionate about hands-on projects, from building AI agents to crafting backyard furniture and even repainting his own car. He spoke about the role financial freedom plays in creating space for these pursuits, encouraging listeners to work with trusted professionals, like myself at Fearlessly Debt Free, when seeking financial clarity and strategy.
He also shared excitement about upcoming speaking engagements, including a university event for young women, and his growing presence on LinkedIn, where he continues to inspire leaders with content rooted in abundance, leadership, and bold moves.
Final Thoughts
Suraj’s story is a powerful reminder that abundance is not defined by circumstances but by mindset. His journey from hardship to high-level leadership, from corporate America to coaching executives, reflects the very essence of what we talk about here on Big, Bold Moves; Abundant Life.
To connect with Suraj and learn more about his work, visit www.grounow.com.
You can reach SURAJ ETHIRAJAN
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grounow/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/surajethirajan?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grounow/posts/?feedView=all
Tiktok:https://www.tiktok.com/@grounow?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Lisa-Marie Hintze, Host of Big, Bold Move; Abundant Life
This article is brought to you by Fearlessly Debt Free,
where eliminating ALL Debt in ½-⅓ of the time for ½-⅓ of
what you owe is more possible than you may think.
Schedule your Discovery FREE Call today and receive
your customized FREE Analysis (Valued at $250).
