When Rahul Chawla walked into yet another corporate training session nearly two decades into his career, he noticed something that would change his trajectory.
“Even experienced professionals struggled to connect theoretical concepts with actual business challenges,” he recalls. That realization ignited a mission to bridge the gap between knowledge and execution.
Today, as the founder of AN Trainings, Rahul has transformed that mission into a growing venture that equips professionals and students alike with industry-ready skills, certifications, and mentorship. With recognition as a Certiport Authorized Testing Center (CATC), AN Trainings is fast becoming a trusted name in professional education.
From Analyst to Educator: Rahul’s Journey
Rahul’s story begins with 17 years in the corporate world as a Business Analyst and Corporate Trainer. Over time, he built expertise not just in business analysis but also in data science tools like R, SQL, Python, Tableau, and Power BI. Along the way, he became an active member of the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), contributing to community initiatives around product engagement and collaboration.
“I am passionate about helping individuals and organizations unlock their potential through structured learning, real-world case studies, and hands-on examples,” Rahul says. That passion gradually evolved into a vision for something larger than himself — AN Trainings.
Spotting the Gaps
The decision to start AN Trainings wasn’t born overnight. Rahul identified several systemic gaps in the learning ecosystem that frustrated both learners and trainers.
- Theory vs. Practice
Certification programs often leaned too heavily on theory, leaving professionals unprepared for real-world execution. - Credibility Issues
Few authorized providers offered globally recognized certifications. - Financial Barriers
“Many aspiring professionals and freelance trainers face financial barriers when trying to access or deliver high-quality training,” Rahul notes. - Fragmented Ecosystem
Learners had to hop across multiple platforms to gain holistic skills in business analysis, agile methodologies, and data tools. - Lack of Mentorship
Continuous guidance and industry exposure were often missing.
By addressing these pain points, AN Trainings positioned itself as a one-stop hub for skill development — bridging academia, industry, and certification bodies.
What AN Trainings Brings to the Table
Today, AN Trainings offers a suite of programs that cater to both professionals and students:
- Business Analysis Certification Training
Covering CCBA, CBAP, ECBA, and other IIBA-aligned certifications. Importantly, these trainings are also available on a freelancing basis, giving professionals flexible access to globally recognized programs. - Technical Skill Development
Courses in Python, R, SQL, Tableau, and Power BI. - Agile & Scrum Training
Preparing teams for real-world agile collaboration. - Corporate Training Solutions
Customizable training tailored to business needs, delivered onsite or virtually. - College & Academic Support
From coding basics to resume building, interview preparation, and career readiness workshops.
What sets AN Trainings apart is its official status as a Certiport Authorized Testing Center (CATC), allowing learners not only to prepare for but also to appear for globally recognized certifications under one roof.
Overcoming Challenges
Like any startup, the road wasn’t always smooth. Rahul candidly shares the early hurdles:
- Working Capital – With limited funds, scaling was slow.
- Building Credibility – Convincing corporates and institutions to trust a new player in a crowded market required persistence.
- Curriculum Development – Covering multiple domains while ensuring relevance and quality demanded relentless effort.
- Balancing Roles – As both trainer and entrepreneur, Rahul had to juggle delivery with operations.
His solution? Consistency and collaboration. Freelance corporate engagements and guest faculty roles in universities provided both revenue and credibility.
“These roles not only expanded my reach but also validated the impact and relevance of the training programs I had developed,” he reflects.
Milestones That Mattered
Among the many small victories, Rahul highlights two as game changers:
- Freelance Corporate Training Engagements – These opened doors to larger networks and proved AN Trainings’ effectiveness.
- Guest Faculty Roles – Teaching at colleges validated his approach with younger audiences and broadened his impact.
These breakthroughs, he says, were crucial in establishing AN Trainings as more than just another training venture. It became a trusted partner in professional growth.
Looking Ahead: The Next 5 Years
Rahul’s ambitions for AN Trainings extend far beyond today. Over the next five years, he envisions:
- Expanding Verticals – New certifications in AI/ML, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and product management.
- Deeper Academic Partnerships – Embedding training programs into university curriculums across India.
- Digital Learning Platform – Launching a self-paced portal with quizzes, recorded sessions, and AI-driven personalized learning paths.
- Global Outreach – Offering international certifications from Microsoft, Adobe, PMI, and IIBA to learners across geographies.
- Mentorship Network – A community platform connecting learners with industry experts, supported by webinars, hackathons, and annual conferences.
By 2030, Rahul’s vision is clear — AN Trainings as a globally recognized brand in professional education, bridging academia and industry while nurturing future-ready professionals.
Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Rahul’s journey offers invaluable takeaways for those considering the entrepreneurial leap:
- Solve Real Problems – Don’t build for the sake of building. Identify clear market gaps and address them.
- Start Small, Build Credibility – Guest lectures, freelancing, or small projects can validate your idea before scaling.
- Adapt and Diversify – Be open to exploring multiple channels such as corporates, colleges, and online platforms.
- Community Matters – Success isn’t just about training programs; it’s about creating ecosystems of learning and mentorship.
- Persistence Pays Off – Limited resources are common at the start. What matters is consistency and clarity of vision.
As Rahul puts it:
“The turning point was realizing that structured, practical training could genuinely transform careers. That belief kept me going, even through the toughest days.”
A Final Word
Rahul Chawla’s journey from business analyst to founder of AN Trainings is more than just a career pivot. It’s a story of turning insight into impact.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, his story is a reminder that true innovation often lies not in creating something entirely new but in improving what already exists and making it accessible, credible, and impactful.
Connect with Rahul & AN Trainings
If Rahul’s journey resonates with you or if you’re looking to upskill in business analysis, data science, or certifications, here’s how you can connect:
Company LinkedIn:AN Trainings
LinkedIn:Rahul Chawla
Instagram:rahul.chawla
Email:rahulyoungchap@gmail.com
Whether you’re a student, a professional, or a corporate leader seeking tailored training, Rahul’s message is simple:
The future belongs to those who invest in continuous learning.