A conversation between a Mumbai cab driver and Bengaluru-based Canadian content creator Caleb Friesen has caught the attention of social media users after the driver revealed that he earns nearly Rs 2 lakh a month through a small fleet business he built over the years. What began as a regular cab ride turned into a discussion on entrepreneurship, risk-taking and financial independence, with many viewers praising the driver's practical approach to building wealth.The video, shared by Friesen on social media, featured the driver explaining why he chose not to pursue a conventional engineering career despite completing his degree. His story has since sparked debate online about traditional jobs, entrepreneurship and the changing aspirations of young professionals in India.Why he chose business over an engineering jobDuring the interaction, the driver said he had completed an engineering degree and explored job opportunities after graduation. However, he was dissatisfied with the salary packages being offered.“I have completed my engineering and was getting ₹20,000 to ₹30,000. This is not good,” he said.According to him, the salary did not justify the money and effort he had invested in his education. Instead of accepting a corporate role, he decided to start his own venture in the transport sector.The driver said the early days were challenging and required patience. Recalling how his journey began, he explained that he started with a single vehicle and gradually expanded his operations over time.“It was very hard in the beginning. I started my own business with only one car. I have four cars now,” he said.He also encouraged people not to lose hope after setbacks, pointing out that even the country's largest companies began on a small scale before growing into major businesses.The business model behind his earningsThe driver's explanation of how his business operates became one of the most discussed parts of the video.Today, he owns four cars. While he drives one of the vehicles himself, the remaining three are operated by hired drivers. The arrangement follows a revenue-sharing model, allowing him to earn income from multiple vehicles at the same time.Explaining the setup, he said drivers share a portion of their earnings after deducting fuel costs. In one example, he noted that a driver earning around Rs 5,000 a day would contribute roughly Rs 2,000 to him after accounting for CNG expenses.When Friesen asked about his monthly earnings, the driver said he makes around Rs 2 lakh a month. However, because some of the vehicles were purchased through loans, a portion of that income goes towards EMI payments. After those deductions, he estimated his monthly take-home earnings at approximately Rs 1.7 lakh.— caleb_friesen (@caleb_friesen) His view on risk and financial independenceThe discussion also touched on entrepreneurship and the risks involved in starting a business. “You have to take a risk in your life. Otherwise, you work for someone else... After 60, no one will give you a job,” the driver said.For him, the decision to leave behind a traditional career path was about creating long-term opportunities and building assets rather than relying solely on a salary.His comments resonated with many viewers who felt his perspective reflected the realities of today's job market and the importance of creating additional income streams.Friesen appeared impressed by the driver's mindset and business journey. Sharing the video, he wrote, “Asked a cab driver how much he earns. He told me Rs. 2 lakh. Then he explained how he makes so much. The answer he gave genuinely gave me goosebumps.”He also praised the entrepreneurial spirit displayed by the driver and concluded that India needed more people willing to build their own ventures rather than spend their lives working on someone else's dream.“I think India needs more founders, more people starting businesses and building their own dream instead of building somebody else’s," he said.Social media users praise the driver's mindsetThe video quickly gained traction online, with many users describing the driver's story as inspiring and practical.One user commented, “Wow! What a wonderful real-life motivational video to watch on a Monday morning. I just saw it, and it's truly inspiring. I especially loved how casually he said at the end, "Build your own label." Thanks for sharing this wonderful video.”Another user shared a personal example, writing, “before 15 years,my first driver came as just a driver, car owner was different. Now the driver itself ownes 5 vehciles,4 of them driven by others n 1 he himself drives.They earn too much,sometimes more than customers who is using their cars.”A third comment read, “Perfect. A job is fine, a business is better, a side hustle is smart-but doing something extra is what makes the difference.”Another user remarked, “Indian cab drivers sometimes understand hustle, finance and human psychology better than half the LinkedIn ‘growth gurus.’”