How TFM Overseas Education Consultants Is Redefining Ethical Counselling
For most Indian students, deciding to Ethical study abroad is one of the biggest investments of their lives. Yet the process is often clouded by misinformation, conflicting advice, and incentive-driven recommendations that prioritise commissions over outcomes.
Mumbai-based TFM Overseas Education Consultants was born to challenge exactly this problem.
Founded in 2022 by Subodh Agarwal and Narayani Ramalingam, TFM, short for The Future Makers, is building a counselling model centred on clarity, credibility, and long-term student success rather than transactional admissions.
From Commerce and CA to Global Education Strategy
Both founders began their journeys with a strong analytical foundation. Subodh and Narayani completed their undergraduate studies in Commerce from the University of Mumbai and went on to qualify as Chartered Accountants, gaining deep exposure to financial discipline, risk assessment, and structured decision-making.
Seeking global exposure and a deeper understanding of branding, strategy, and consumer behaviour, they later pursued an MSc in Marketing from the University of Manchester.
It was during their own Ethical study abroad planning that they encountered a systemic issue that would eventually shape TFM.
Spotting the Problem from the Inside
As students navigating the overseas education ecosystem, Subodh and Narayani saw how vulnerable aspirants were at a critical decision point. Many consultants pushed students towards lower-ranked or unsuitable universities driven by commission structures rather than academic fit, career goals, or financial logic.
“There was a clear lack of transparency and long-term thinking,” they recall. “Students were being sold decisions, not guided through them.”
That personal frustration became the foundation for TFM’s mission: to ensure no student is pushed into sub-optimal choices due to misaligned incentives.
Landing the First Paying Student Through Trust
TFM’s first paying student came through a personal referral. A student overwhelmed by conflicting advice reached out, unsure whom to trust.
Instead of pitching services, the founders focused on understanding. They spent hours analysing her academic background, career aspirations, and financial constraints before designing a structured application and career strategy. Every recommendation was explained with logic and evidence.
That approach built confidence. The student converted, not because of pressure, but because of clarity. It validated TFM’s belief that trust follows when guidance is honest and structured.
What TFM Does Differently
TFM offers end-to-end Ethical study abroad guidance, including profile evaluation, strategic university shortlisting, application planning, documentation support, visa assistance, and post-offer decision-making. The firm also assists with education loans, helping students secure competitive interest rates aligned with their financial capacity.
What sets TFM apart is its evidence-based counselling model. Every recommendation is grounded in verified data such as university rankings, curriculum relevance, employability outcomes, visa regulations, and cost structures. Hearsay has no place in their process.
Personalisation is another key differentiator. Each student is assessed individually, factoring in academic strengths, career objectives, financial realities, and risk appetite. There is no one-size-fits-all advice.
Equally important is accessibility. The team maintains one of the fastest response times in the industry, often replying within minutes, ensuring students feel supported throughout the journey.
Having Ethical study abroad themselves, the founders bring lived experience into every conversation, offering practical insights rather than second-hand information.
Challenges That Shaped the Business
Building trust without a track record was one of the earliest hurdles. While students valued the clarity of counselling sessions, conversions were slow due to the lack of testimonials and brand recognition.
Another major challenge was building the company while still studying in the UK. Parents hesitated to trust a consultancy without a physical presence in India. The founders made a difficult but defining decision to return, set up operations on the ground, and commit fully to the venture.
They also learned that not every student values mentorship-driven guidance immediately. Some switched consultants mid-process despite significant effort invested. These experiences pushed the founders to set clearer boundaries and refine engagement models.
The Phase That Nearly Broke Them
A global shift in immigration and job-market sentiment created one of TFM’s toughest phases. Despite strong university offers, students began backing out due to uncertainty about outcomes. At one point, two to three students dropped out daily.
The emotional toll was heavy. Months of work unraveled due to factors beyond their control.
What kept them going was shared conviction. They reset expectations, focused on students who were truly ready, and strengthened internal processes. That phase didn’t slow them down. It prepared them to build sustainably.
Challenging a Dangerous Industry Myth
One misconception the founders strongly disagree with is the belief that higher university rankings guarantee career security.
“Rankings don’t get you hired. Skills, experience, and initiative do,” they say.
They often see students taking ₹20–25 lakh extra loans for marginal ranking differences with no real outcome advantage. TFM encourages students to treat education as a strategic investment, not an emotional purchase.
Milestones That Matter
TFM was bootstrapped from just ₹500. Within three years, the firm was assisting over 150 students annually, without external funding.
Early validation came from winning the Bright Ideas Competition at the University of Manchester, followed by the Kickstarter Award, which included a £2,000 grant. They were also shortlisted among the top four ventures in the Services category at the Venture Further Awards, recognised for execution readiness.
But for the founders, the biggest achievement is the community they’ve built. Many students remain closely connected long after admissions, forming a growing international network rooted in trust and shared growth.
The Road Ahead
TFM’s long-term vision is to evolve beyond a consultancy into a trusted global student ecosystem. Over the next five years, the founders aim to combine personalised mentorship with scalable systems and technology, while maintaining quality.
The goal is not to process more applications, but to deliver clarity, confidence, and outcomes that students carry forward into their careers.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Building a bootstrapped business is far harder than it looks. Progress is rarely linear, and resilience often matters more than momentum.
Their advice is simple but powerful: stay adaptable, stay close to the problem, and prioritise long-term trust over short-term wins. Exhaust your possibilities before walking away.
Because persistence, when paired with learning and integrity, is what builds enduring ventures.
