My first team offsite and how it deepened a bond that was already forming from afar
I’ve been working since I turned 18. Across companies, across roles. Some never had an offsite. Some did, but I never quite found it in me to say yes to those. I’d politely decline, always citing some reason or the other. Truth is, I just didn’t feel that sense of comfort or ease with the people around me.
So when I found myself not only agreeing to an offsite just two months into my new role at SaaSBoomi, but actually excited to go, I knew something was different.
And it really was.
Where the journey began: A tiny, meaningful space in Bengaluru
It all began with the inauguration of our new SaaSBoomi office in Bengaluru. A humble little terrace office with large clear windows, tucked away amidst trees and open skies. There’s something poetic about how that space is laid out. The minimalism, the warm art, the tables placed so everyone can gather. The big mission on the wall – Make India a Product Nation. It doesn’t shout. It gently reminds. And you feel it in the energy of the team sitting around that long table.
A reminder of the pay-it-forward spirit that anchors this community. It’s a constant presence. Not loud, not flashy, but always there. Just like the volunteers, partners, and founders who carry the mission quietly and steadily every single day.
A front-row seat to the AI shift with empathy at the center
Before the celebrations kicked off, Shekhar Kirani from Accel dropped in to speak with the team. His message, though simple, was powerful. We’re sitting in the front row of a massive AI shift. Don’t just watch it, own it. Learn. Adapt. Use the time you save through learning and using AI tools to deepen human connections. That really struck a chord. AI may help us work faster, but it’s empathy that will make us relevant and unforgettable as a community.
That evening, the gathering at the inauguration was intimate. Staff, volunteers, a few ecosystem friends and believers. Yet the feeling, the warmth, the connection, was no different from what I had experienced at Annual ‘25, my first-ever SaaSBoomi event. Different scales, but the same soul.
From terrace to trail: Off to Kabini
The very next morning, we were set for something even more special – our team offsite in Kabini. A group of nine of us boarded a bus and set off for the Mysore district. But not before one special detour. We had forgotten to take a team picture at the office. So we all headed back to click that one photo together. And I’m glad we did. The vibe of the space matched our own completely.
Then off we went. With fun banter, valuable discussions, a coffee break, a yummy lunch at Mysore’s famous Sapa Bakery, lots of chit chat and some gossip too, we made our way to the resort. Kabini welcomed us with green calm, a quiet evening, and the breathtaking view of the river flowing beneath the open skies.
And then came a moment I’ll never forget.
Letters that moved hearts
Avinash, our thoughtful leader, had written handwritten letters for each one of us. Personal. Heartfelt. Moving beyond words. Mine left me with a lump in my throat, tears in my eyes, and a heart so full I didn’t know what to do with it. It felt like something my dad could have written. That’s how deeply it touched me.
We read our letters aloud. We broke down. We laughed through tears. We hugged it out. And then, we saluted the one person who holds this team and its dream together.
I had been at SaaSBoomi for just two months.
And I already felt like I had found my place.
Super Connection. What remote work rarely gets credit for
Over the next two days, we chatted about life, about SaaSBoomi, about the world. We brainstormed ideas, set goals for the year, aligned individual responsibilities, and discussed how to achieve them together. That was the most beautiful part. We may own different pieces of the puzzle, but we place them together. No one walks alone here. Everyone has a part to play in each other’s journey.
Even though we work remotely, and rely on Slack and Google Meet, it never feels distant. And for me to feel that sense of belonging so soon into my journey here says a lot about the team and the kind of culture we’ve built. A dream team in the truest sense.
Of jungle trails and Mafia tales
We also went on a jungle safari, in search of a tiger. Our driver was determined and enthusiastic. The moment he got word of a possible sighting, he raced through the forest like Schumacher, navigating raw jungle paths like a pro. The thrill was real.
And then of course, there was Mafia. I’ve lost count of how many rounds we played and how many times I was wrongly voted out as the killer. Still innocent. Still suspicious looking apparently.
To sum it up
This offsite wasn’t just a break from work. It was a window into the kind of culture SaaSBoomi has nurtured. Where remote doesn’t mean disconnected. Where care isn’t confined to one-on-ones but shows up in handwritten notes. Where team spirit isn’t an activity but a lived reality.
This experience has set the tone for what work looks like here, kind, collaborative, thoughtful. Led by someone who doesn’t just say he believes in you but shows it every single day.
Good vibes only. Always.
