Building Opportunities: Cashnuja Selvakumar on Entrepreneurship, Resilience and Empowering the Next Generation
At just 25 years old, Cashnuja Selvakumar has already built a remarkable entrepreneurial journey defined by ambition, resilience and innovation. From launching her first venture in eBay ‘Drop Shipping’ at the age of 20 to co-founding Ticket Vault, one of Sri Lanka’s fastest-growing event ticketing platforms, she has consistently demonstrated a willingness to embrace opportunities and challenge conventional expectations. Her story, however, extends far beyond business success. Diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis at the age of 19, Cashnuja faced a life-changing health challenge that tested her physical and emotional strength. Rather than allowing adversity to define her future, she transformed it into a source of motivation, drawing strength from her family, faith and determination. Through her work with New Generation Sri Lanka, mentorship programmes and international exposure, she continues to inspire young people to pursue their ambitions fearlessly. In this interview, Cashnuja reflects on entrepreneurship, overcoming obstacles, leadership, mentorship and her vision for creating opportunities for future generations.
Q: At just 25 years old, you have already built an impressive entrepreneurial journey. What inspired you to choose entrepreneurship over a more conventional career path?
From a very young age, I knew I wanted to build something of my own. Even during school, I was constantly thinking about business ideas and exploring ways to create value. Entrepreneurship felt like a natural extension of who I am because it offers the freedom to innovate, solve problems and create opportunities. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with following a traditional career path, I was drawn to the idea of building something from the ground up. What fascinates me most about entrepreneurship is its ability to create impact. It is not simply about generating income; it is about identifying challenges, finding solutions and making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. When I started, I certainly did not have all the answers. However, I strongly believe that waiting until you feel completely prepared often prevents you from beginning. There is a first time for everything. The most important step is simply getting started, learning through experience and trusting the process.
Q: Your first venture was in eBay ‘Drop Shipping.’ How did that experience shape your understanding of business?
My eBay ‘Drop Shipping’ journey was my first real introduction to entrepreneurship and international business. Interestingly, it began on my 20th birthday when my brother-in-law decided to invest in my future rather than buy me a traditional gift. He funded an eBay dropshipping course, and that decision became one of the most valuable gifts I have ever received. The experience exposed me to customers and markets far beyond Sri Lanka. I quickly realised that business is not just about products; it is about understanding people. Different customers have different expectations, behaviours and preferences, and learning how to adapt to those differences taught me to think globally from an early age.
I also gained practical knowledge about international payments, taxes, logistics, supplier management and cross-border trade. These were concepts I had previously only read about, but through eBay I learned them in real time while operating a business. One of my most memorable moments was making my very first sale, a fish bait product worth only a few dollars. It may seem insignificant to others, but for me it was a defining moment. Someone on the other side of the world had trusted a business I created. That small sale gave me confidence that no textbook could have provided.
Q: Ticket Vault has grown rapidly and supported more than 150 events. What have been the greatest challenges and rewards of building the company?
Ticket Vault began with a simple late-night conversation between my childhood best friend and me. We identified a gap in the market and decided to take a chance on an idea. One of our biggest challenges was establishing credibility in a highly competitive and traditionally male-dominated industry. As two young women entering the events and entertainment sector, there were occasions when people questioned our ability to manage large-scale events. Instead of allowing that to discourage us, we focused on consistency, professionalism and delivering results. One of our proudest achievements was becoming the first ticketing platform in Sri Lanka to introduce a Buy Now, Pay Later option for event tickets through our partnership with MintPay. It allowed us to make events more accessible while bringing innovation to the industry. Today, Ticket Vault has facilitated more than 150 events across Sri Lanka and has even expanded internationally with an event in Dubai. For a business that started as a conversation between friends, those milestones are incredibly rewarding. However, the greatest reward is not measured by numbers. It comes from seeing organisers trust us with their events and knowing we have helped create memorable experiences for thousands of people.
Q: Before fully embracing entrepreneurship, you worked at UNDP Sri Lanka. What impact did that experience have on your professional development?
Working at the United Nations Development Programme was one of the most valuable experiences of my career. It introduced me to a completely different professional environment and allowed me to contribute to projects with meaningful social impact. As a Logistics and Events Coordinator, I had the opportunity to work on major initiatives, including the United Nations Day celebrations. The role exposed me to international leaders, diplomats and professionals from diverse backgrounds. Perhaps the most important lesson I learned was the power of collaboration. At UNDP, people from different cultures, perspectives and experiences came together to pursue shared objectives. That taught me that successful leadership is not about having all the answers; it is about bringing people together around a common purpose. The experience also broadened my perspective and reinforced the importance of purpose-driven work. It remains a significant influence on how I approach leadership and entrepreneurship today.
Q: Being diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis at a young age was a major challenge. How did you overcome that difficult period?
Being diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis at 19 was one of the most difficult experiences of my life. Before the diagnosis, I was heavily involved in athletics and had won consecutive sprinting championships during my school years. Sport was a huge part of my identity. Suddenly being told that I had a chronic condition affecting my spine and joints felt overwhelming. I spent more than three weeks in hospital and genuinely questioned whether I would ever regain the life I had envisioned for myself. During that period, my mother became my greatest source of strength. As a single parent, she never left my side. She encouraged me when I felt defeated and continued believing in me when I struggled to believe in myself. My faith also played an important role. It gave me hope during a time of uncertainty and reminded me that challenges do not have to define us. Looking back, I do not see the experience as something that broke me. Instead, it rebuilt me. It taught me resilience, gratitude and the importance of appreciating every opportunity. Many of the strengths people see in me today were developed during one of the most challenging chapters of my life.
Q: Many young people struggle with self-doubt. Was there a moment when you realised you were capable of achieving more than you imagined?
I think self-doubt is something everyone experiences, regardless of age or achievement. I certainly experienced it throughout my journey. As a young entrepreneur, there were many occasions when I found myself in rooms filled with experienced professionals and industry leaders. It was intimidating at times, and I questioned whether I belonged there. Over time, however, I realised that confidence is not something that appears overnight. It is built through action. Every challenge I faced, every opportunity I accepted and every goal I achieved gradually strengthened my belief in myself. One important lesson was recognising that nobody has everything figured out. Even highly successful people are continuously learning and adapting. Once I accepted that, I stopped striving for perfection and started focusing on progress. Today, I do not try to eliminate self-doubt. I simply refuse to let it make decisions for me.
Q: How did you first become involved with New Generation Sri Lanka?
My journey with New Generation Sri Lanka began unexpectedly during a lunch break while I was working at UNDP. During a conversation, I learned about an initiative called Coffee Break. As someone who enjoys learning from successful professionals and hearing real stories of leadership and entrepreneurship, I was immediately interested. I attended a session out of curiosity, but what I experienced exceeded my expectations. The conversations, people and opportunities inspired me to become more involved. What began as attendance at a single event eventually evolved into active participation in the organisation’s programmes and initiatives. Looking back, it was one of those seemingly small decisions that opened the door to significant opportunities and personal growth.
Q: Looking ahead, what impact do you hope to create through your work and involvement in youth empowerment?
My vision extends beyond building a successful business. I want to continue growing Ticket Vault, expanding its reach and introducing innovative solutions that enhance experiences for both organisers and attendees. I am particularly interested in exploring how artificial intelligence can be integrated into the platform to create smarter and more personalised event experiences. Innovation has always been central to our journey, and I believe businesses must continually evolve to remain relevant. Beyond Ticket Vault, I hope to continue contributing to youth empowerment through platforms such as New Generation Sri Lanka. Throughout my own journey, opportunities have played a transformative role, and I want to help create similar opportunities for others. A quote from Dr. Sulochana that has always stayed with me is: “Empowered women empower women.” It is a principle I strongly believe in and strive to apply in everything I do. Ultimately, I hope my journey encourages young people to take action on their ideas rather than waiting for the perfect moment. Success is not only about what we achieve for ourselves. It is about the opportunities we create for others and the lives we positively influence along the way.
