It was an ordinary weekend like any other weekend. I was caught up in putting my new born baby to sleep, when student suddenly my phone vibrated to show a notification which I found quite interesting. It was RJ on the Jagruk Journal community intimating that they were in Delhi hosting a meet and greet event in collaboration with Stable Money team and that if we were interested, we can come.

RJ, aka Rishabh Jain, CEO of a famous Youtube channel, Labor Law Advisor and also the host to many videos and shorts, is someone I had greatly come to appreciate over past few years. I also wrote about LLA being one of my favourite YT channel few years back! I find their videos on finance highly educational and greatly unbiased, and together with Mandeep made me along with millions highly informed.

So it was very unexpected that I was given the chance to meet them. But was as I reading it right? Was I dreaming? Was it a scam?
It wasn’t! It was actually RJ posting himself! While I knew about the event, but I was not formally invited. Apparently, it was a wild card entry! One last chance to attend the event!

First, I hesitated. Had doubts to go due to family commitments. But an opportunity knocked on my door and I wasn’t going to miss it. So I discussed it with my partner, packed my JJ Journal to get them signed and got ready to go. Event was in Crown Plaza, an hour away from my home but I was determined to meet the LLA team!

Reached an hour late, but better late than never I thought. I was surprised to see that there were more than 400 people at the event (Yes I counted the chairs afterwards). First, I was impressed at the gathering and soon a bit sad. I thought that no chance I am going to meet team LLA in person with so many people around!

I saw Harish on the big stage, one of the co-founders of Stable Money on the stage. And while I invested in FDs for my father through their app, I had no idea about the person behind the recent start-up. So it was fascinating to hear his story and they have come up with more products like bonds with a clean UI and fresh approach for next gen investors!

But then Mandeep announced that RJ and Andy were about to perform a skit and I was excited to finally be able to see them. Entry of RJ and Andy was something out of a movie. Great ramp walk! And the skit was great. Especially about the bit where we personal finance guys loves sharing our gyan and making an excel sheet before deciding everything!
After the event, I was totally surprised to see how RJ, Mandeep and Andy stood with the crowd to let people have selfies with them. They made sure no one goes disappointed.

RJ kept asking the community who they were, what do they do, and having lovely exchanges with them. He even took selfies himself and videos for those who came in groups. It was totally different and surreal watching him online. His voice sounded more commanding in person and aura more real. I felt special when he took out time to sign my copy of the Jagruk Journal, mentioning that we were on the same boat, as we both became recent parent.

Mandeep kept discussing personal finance queries from the crowd while taking selfies. He was also more grounded, was making everyone jealous sporting great hair but not shying away from anyone who wanted to interact with him. His signature was short and sweet to keep learning, which I greatly admire.

And Andy was every bit straight out of his shorts! An appearance everyone was waiting for, after his apparent lack of performance in new shorts. A little secret, he did whisper that he’ll “be back”!
Andy, even when he was getting late to catch his flight to Jaipur,  took out time for signing my copy or JJ and write a lovely message!

Overall it was fascinating to meet everyone standing just inches away and talking to the “fans” face to face. In never felt that they were a personality. As RJ said in one of the skits, being “kinda famous” has its ups and down.

I remained in the hall right to the end, till RJ had to literally step down from the podium as stage was started to get dismantled by staff. Shook hands with RJ for one last time as he departed, and I exited from Crown Plaza, with a big fulfilling grin over my face.
I had taken a metro on the way to the event, but took a cab on the way back. Not because it was the best financial decision, but I had to just sit for a while and contemplate my amazing experience meeting the team LLA and what I can do in my life further to make me and my family more happy.

Also honourable mention to an acquaintance I made with one of the community member, with whom I got a chance to sign the copy with RJ! (Name withheld for privacy reason).

To conclude, I am taking a big inspiration from team LLA, after meeting them in person, and hoping to meet them again and have more conversation than remain star struck!

Big thanks to the staff of Jarguk team LLA and the chance to meet them in person! Until next time….