An Indian American Entrepreneur’s Success Story: Building a Legacy

Ajay Bansal is an Indian American entrepreneur whose determination, skill and smart succession planning led to an American dream success story.

Ajay came to Cincinnati, Ohio in 1969 as a student and began his career as an electrical engineer with a firm that employed him as a design engineer, then an estimator. Working and learning the business, Ajay began thinking of starting his own engineering and construction company. He founded Bansal Construction, Inc. in 1986.

“First we worked on small projects like traffic signal projects, and eventually got into airport lighting,” explained Ajay. “We noticed time pressure is the most important thing because you cannot shut the runway down for a long period of time. You have to perform and complete the project.”

With hard work, ingenuity and a focus on safety, Bansal Construction, Inc. earned increasingly complex infrastructure engineering projects. His company serves as an electrical and general contractor specializing in installation of traffic signals, roadway and parking lot lighting, airport runway and taxiway lighting, and navigational equipment throughout the Midwest. Bansal Construction, Inc. installations beautifully illuminate bridges along waterways of all sizes like the US Grant Bridge in Portsmouth, Ohio and the Stewart Street Bridge in Dayton, Ohio.

Financial professional, Ran Gupta of Total Asset Planning, has known Ajay since he started his business from his garage. For decades, Ran’s helped Ajay create financial strategies for his family and for Bansal Construction, Inc. Ran recommended business owner life insurance coverage from Ameritas to protect Ajay’s family and business. With life insurance protection, Ajay could focus on running and growing his business.

“So many lives are at stake, and many people work at this company. If I was not available, then many lives would be affected,” Ajay asserted. “I am a firm believer in life insurance.”

A true family business and entrepreneur success story, Ajay’s son Anu is now leading the company into the next generation, and their future looks bright.

“The thing that makes me most proud is continuing my father’s legacy,” said Anu Bansal, president of Bansal Construction, Inc.

“I’m the first one in my family to start a business,” explained Ajay. “I feel very proud I’m going to leave a company for my son and maybe his descendants. If they can keep working in this country and be of service to the community, that is what will make me really happy.”

Ameritas is proud to protect this American dream for Ajay, Anu and the whole Bansal Construction, Inc. team.