introduction

My debut entrepreneurial venture was The Experitos Studio, where I launched it as a product design focused studio offering end-to-end services to small enterprises and startups. By helping business owners realise the value of UX and how a well curated online presence can help their business grow, especially during a pandemic, the major goal was to end the template-based legacy and disrupt the realm of neighborhood agencies.

my role and the story

I couldn't be more proud to say that I did it everything at first since I lacked the funds to hire a team and had to wrangle payment from my first client in order to reinvest the money in the company. My company was profitable right off the bat. I initially began with creating the company website and other online presences. I gathered my prior projects to showcase as examples of my work, and within a month, I had my first client!
When I realized that I couldn't handle everything (design, development, marketing, client engagement, operations, etc.) alone, so I started developing my team. After 11 months, I had a 13-person team working with me on the miracle we had created together.
It wasn't until much later that I realized that I had essentially achieved my goal of learning how entrepreneurship functions and the obstacles that small business owners and entrepreneurs face and how they overcome them. After conducting a retrospective, I realized I needed to learn more and that, at that point in my life, I probably wanted to pursue something else.

the problems we were trying to solve

The neighborhood agencies promised template-based solutions at startlingly low prices, but the business owners were unaware that these solutions didn't genuinely address the issues their companies were having.
During the pandemic, many local businesses opened up that had a lot of potential but were unable to reach their target customers, or even if they did, their experiences were not user or business friendly.
There was a significant disparity between enterprises emerging in Tier 1 and Tier 2 or 3 cities. The abrupt digitization of practically everything, for which businesses were unprepared, was the reason of that gap.

the market

More than 12000 enterprises that were in the TAM were located in Lucknow (Headquarters), and new businesses were opening up daily as a result of the loss of jobs.

the personas

services offered and the business model

The following were the services we offered to the businesses:

Website/Web-app design & development
Mobile app design & development
End-to-end Product design
Branding
SEM
SEO

The cost of these services varied from as little as INR 2.5K to as much as INR 3L for the consumer, with a net profit margin of between 20% and 70%.

growth and marketing

Social media and word-of-mouth promotion from current clients and well-wishers were the business's primary growth and marketing methods. Additionally, websites like Freelancer and Upwork were used to acquire the leads. Advertising on Instagram, Facebook, and local WhatsApp groups were all part of the social media strategy.

key takeaways and mistakes I made

At first, everything went smoothly, but later, as we were trying to scale the business, we encountered numerous difficulties. These difficulties were mostly brought on by the fact that our service-market fit was flawed.
When we noticed a high rate of client lead churn, we looked back and realized that the enterprises were more concerned with cutting costs than with having a more comprehensive understanding of how to create wealth through these investments. The neighborhood agencies stepped in at that point and dominated the market by providing the services at a startlingly low cost.
I came to discover that the business owners did not comprehend how their internet presence enabled growth; they simply saw it as a necessity to get online. What we could offer was educating people on the need of the same as well as giving them projected growth numbers.

visit the company website

The Experitos Studio : A Journey of Grit and Growth

In the midst of the turbulent waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in June 2020, a spark ignited within me—a vision to empower startups and small businesses to thrive in the digital realm. Armed with nothing but a dream and a mere INR 5000 in my pocket, I embarked on a rollercoaster ride as an entrepreneur. This is the unfiltered account of my journey—a tale of perseverance, hard-earned wisdom, and the triumph of the human spirit.

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Building The Experitos Studio: A Story Full of Highs and Lows

In those early days, my best friend and I joined forces, into ideating The Experitos Studio. However, I led the venture alone as he had personal commitments and couldn't be a part of this. Drawing from my father's invaluable business expertise, I dove headfirst into execution on Day 0. Balancing my entrepreneurial aspirations with my engineering studies, which had shifted to an online format, I seized every opportunity to nurture my venture.

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The 'Why': Uncovering a Digital Gap

Engaging with budding entrepreneurs in Lucknow's Tier 3 city, a profound realization struck me. These promising ventures were grappling with the digital transformation needed to thrive in the modern business landscape and the fact that now everyone had gone digital due to the pandemic. The prevalent solutions offered by local agencies fell woefully short, leaving businesses without a competitive edge. Determined to bridge this gap, I embarked on a mission to offer genuine, impactful digital solutions that would elevate their growth potential.

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The First Step: A Journey of Learning and Empathy

To truly understand the pain points and aspirations of small businesses, I immersed myself in their world. Conversing with them, I became the guiding light they sought—answering questions about websites, social media, branding, and the true potential of their online presence. It became evident that existing agencies were more interested in quantity over quality. Armed with this knowledge, I set out to offer personalized, results-driven services that would resonate with each unique client.

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A Journey of Endurance: From Nights of Learning to Early Collaborations

With limited resources and a passionate desire to deliver, I embarked on projects, wearing multiple hats simultaneously. I poured countless hours into mastering new skills, pulling all-nighters to meet deadlines, and finding creative solutions for every challenge that arose. Financial limitations meant I had to learn skills beyond my expertise, ensuring I wasn't taken advantage of and delivering on my commitments. Amidst a series of failures and setbacks, my negotiating skills, adaptability, and people management abilities sharpened.

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A Journey of Teamwork and People Management:

As The Experitos Studio began to gain traction, I quickly realized that success required more than just my individual efforts. It was time to assemble a team of like-minded individuals who shared my passion for excellence. With the modest profits earned from our initial projects, I invested in recruiting interns and contracted professionals, gradually expanding our workforce. Each team member brought a unique set of skills and perspectives, complementing my own strengths and filling the gaps in my knowledge. With effective people management, I fostered an environment where collaboration thrived, allowing us to tackle larger projects with confidence and efficiency.

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Technological Proficiency: Harnessing the Power of Tech

Central to the success of The Experitos Studio was my deep understanding of technology and its potential. Armed with my tech skills, I leveraged the latest tools and frameworks to deliver exceptional results for our clients. From web development and design to app creation, I applied my technical expertise and first-principles thinking to push the boundaries of what was possible. Every project became an opportunity to showcase our mastery of technology and provide our clients with cutting-edge solutions.

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Cracking the 0-1 Phases: Design Thinking at Work

One of our greatest achievements at The Experitos Studio was our ability to crack the crucial 0-1 phases for our clients. Through a meticulous application of design thinking, we delved deep into understanding their unique challenges and aspirations. By immersing ourselves in their world, we gained valuable insights that allowed us to create tailored solutions that went beyond their expectations. Our commitment to excellence and our ability to think from first principles enabled us to deliver transformative results during these critical stages of their businesses.

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Authenticity Amidst Uncertainty: The Fears and the Triumphs

Confession time—I didn't have all the answers. In fact, I often promised more than I knew how to deliver. But that never deterred me from finding solutions. I thrived in the chaos, constantly learning, and refining my craft. Each hurdle I overcame instilled in me the courage to embrace challenges head-on. Though clients occasionally played games and freelancers caused setbacks, these experiences deepened my understanding of human nature and sharpened my ability to navigate professional relationships.

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Why I Walked Away: Embracing the Pivot

After running The Experitos Studio successfully for 18 months, generating considerable revenue, I made a bittersweet decision—to embark on a new adventure. The digital landscape was evolving rapidly, and I realized the need to explore my true passions and long-term aspirations. However, the emotional attachment to the journey of building The Experitos Studio from ground zero remains indelible. It was a crucible that shaped my entrepreneurial spirit and illuminated the path ahead.

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Conclusion: Inspiring the Fire Within

My journey as an entrepreneur was far from perfect, but it was authentic and transformative. It taught me the power of perseverance, humility, and adaptability. From the challenges of starting with a mere INR 5000 to generating an ARR of INR 1.7 million, the experiences I gained nurtured my entrepreneurial soul. While my path may have taken a new direction, the resilience, knowledge, and profound understanding of the human spirit gained during that journey continue to inspire and fuel my pursuit of greatness.

My father's words of wisdom still echo in my mind, serving as the driving force that propels me forward:

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

originally spoken by Eleanor Roosevelt.

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