So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.

My name is Arvind Mozumdar. I was born in India and grew up both there and in the Middle East. My family moved around quite a bit when I was very young, so adapting to new places always came naturally to me. Eventually, I went to college just outside my hometown. After graduating, I moved around quite a bit in India for different jobs. I also lived in the UK for a short while and finally landed in Chicago about 20 years ago, in 2006. I moved to Minnesota in 2009, and it has been home ever since.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now?

There is a lot to love about Minnesota, and I think the first thing I noticed when I moved here was the strong sense of community and the welcoming nature of the people. Almost two decades later, that sense of community remains extremely strong among the people I meet. As a small business owner, that is very encouraging. Of course, I love the four seasons as well, and there are activities to enjoy in any weather!

Tell us a little bit more about what your company does and how it started? How does it help your customers?

CDO On-Demand helps small and medium-sized businesses streamline operations, improve productivity, and navigate the challenges of AI (Artificial Intelligence), data, and technology. We help build custom solutions that can be quickly adopted by teams to help them grow and operate efficiently while controlling risk and reducing spending on systems.

What I like to emphasize is that, through my education and experience, I have been exposed to multiple generations of what is now broadly called AI. I have both the technical knowledge and practical experience to cut through the hype. As an organization, we are focused on being responsible by design, so we advocate for the responsible and sustainable use of AI and technology. We focus on enhancing the human experience, and we don’t mean that as a marketing platitude.

I got started in early 2025 after more than two decades of supporting large enterprises. I felt that mid-market companies were underserved and deserved access to the same quality of solutions as enterprises, but at the right cost and scale.

If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?

I would start by asking, “Are you doing it for the right reasons?”

As millions of small business owners know, starting a business is exciting and has its highs, but it is never linear, and you have to navigate the lows. My advice is not meant to discourage people. The reason I ask this question is that when they hit the lows, they need to be able to remind themselves why they do what they do. That is what gets them through the tough times.

What are the right reasons to start a business? They are different for each person. So, introspection and a belief in your purpose are essential.

What was one feedback from a happy customer/client that you won't forget about?

I have several testimonials on my company website that I would direct you to! In 20+ years, it is hard to pick exactly one. The positive feedback that I feel most proud of is when clients articulate that I demonstrated empathy. They may use different words, but empathy is key for me.

Where do you see your company in the future?

The way my company is set up, I don’t see myself growing it into a mega-corporation because that is not the design. I see success as having a company that remains a manageable size while being sustainable, but more importantly, having many current and former clients who are willing to wholeheartedly endorse our work.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

I will interpret that as a question about the Fractional Leadership industry. For Fractional Leadership, the biggest misconception is probably that Fractional leaders are not as invested in a client’s success as full-time executives.

I always point out that Fractional is a delivery model that makes it viable for small and mid-market companies to have access to executive-level experience and leadership at a price point that is sustainable. A leader being Fractional does not mean that their attention is elsewhere.

What has been one of your biggest struggle building your business and how did you deal with it?

In the earliest stages, it was always the question of whether I could do it. Maybe entrepreneurship comes naturally to some people, but having spent a long career as a W-2 employee, it didn’t feel natural to me. The inspiration and guidance from the community helped me overcome those mindset challenges.

Beyond that, the “struggles” are often the day-to-day challenges of generating demand and delivering quality work while managing operations smoothly. For small and solo businesses, having the right systems and processes in place, backed by strong discipline, is key.

Who was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

The music artist question is tough. I believe I might be slightly tone-deaf, so I’m not always big into music. I enjoyed a lot of ’80s pop music when I was younger, and now I usually enjoy it with a sense of nostalgia.

As for athletes, this one is going to sound very obscure. I have been a big football (soccer) fan, and when I was at the right impressionable age, West Germany won the World Cup. I ended up reading a detailed profile of their captain, Lothar Matthäus, and I found it inspiring in several ways. I remember reading that, as a kid, he wasn’t picked for teams because he wasn’t considered the right shape and size. So, for the longest time, I counted him as my favorite athlete.

Any shoutouts you want to make?

I think I would be remiss not to immediately recognize the contributions of my wife and my family, without whose support I would not have a business. All small businesses are family businesses.

Due to confidentiality reasons, I can’t name my clients, but I am eternally grateful to the initial clients who enabled me to sustain the business. Without naming individuals, I also want to acknowledge the leaders of the Fractional community who are helping grow awareness of this model and providing the support, guidance, and education that help us thrive.

Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

My company website is mncdo.com.