Mandeep Kaur SidhuCEO of Simbacart Published On: Tuesday, March 08, 2016 Views 5667

"Want to try The Toughest thing ever and do something great in life, Try being honest in everything you do."

Mandeep is an enterprising person of the view that you do not need to be in a metropolitan city for launching the next great e-commerce idea. Driven by determination and perseverance, Mandeep always wanted to do something on her own. After completing her MBA, she started her career as a marketing officer in a retail company. She soon climbed the ladder of success, but her entrepreneurial passion was just getting started. She launched Simbacart with an aim to uplift the rural in terms of skill development and generating employment.

She started her business with selling footwear online at Simbacart.com and now have further extended arms of her business in terms of IT (Simbaquartz) SEATC (Simbacart Employment And Training Centre) and Simbaeasy (For catering rural customers for all their works for which high-speed internet is required).

Please provide a brief overview of your product/ service.

We are an online and offline footwear brand. Our website is Simbacart.com. We sell fashion products especially shoes with name SIMBA, our parent company is SIMBACART.

What inspired you to build the above product/ service?

I always wanted to do something out of the box. I want to give back to the society by being Chief Smiles Officer, where I am all focused on giving back to society through my business. My husband is an IT person and I am from MBA Marketing background, we found ourself a great blend to start an eCommerce startup.

What is your life mantra?

More Smiles Each Day

What was the most challenging part of your journey till now?

The beginning is always hardest and challenges are opportunities for innovative minds. I biggest hurdle was having no collateral on my name as a woman, without which no financial institution entertain you in real. I found resistance from very closed ones, and many suggested to close my start up even before it took off. I wonder how people can think of it, for me it is like giving birth to a baby and giving up! Good talent to pool in a startup is another challenge; I had to convince people to work with me and even paid well in-spite of a cash crunch.

How did you overcome those challenges?

I keep myself extensively busy in Simbacart’s campaigns for society and I keep playing my role of Chief Smiles Officer. I am supported by my spouse very positively in my low times.

Share some details about the investments that you have been able to fetch for the business till now.

I have been rejected by all the banks. I found most government schemes just on paper. My project is totally funded by my and my husband’s savings. We are helped by only one financial institution i.e lendingkart.com based on our profile.

How do you protect yourself from the problem of Brain Drain?

We are a very close-knit company just like a family. We play, learn and do business together. Attrition is too rare. I am in the rural part of India, where people need training and jobs.

According to you, what are the three qualities an individual must have to achieve success?

Consistency in what you do! Perfection in each task you do! Listening to your gut feel and doing! No matters what.

Which online tools/ services/ apps do you use the most and would like to recommend as well?

I use all digital marketing channels to run my business. I recommend every company to move from offline to online media channels for better data analytics of their businesses.

Share any one habit which you think makes you more productive.

I always look on the positive side of every situation.

Share any one habit which you wish to change in yourself.

I want to stop trusting people and do only what my heart says.

Answer in less than 50 words

One tip to success:

Consistency.

One mistake you believe every individual must avoid:

Trusting people and going off track on your goal.

One most important lesson that you have learnt till now:

All you have to do on your own, do not depend on others or time.

What are your plans for next 3 years?

I am working on scaling up well and multiplying my business. I was earlier doing only online sales of shoes and I have already started floating my stock to the retailers too. I want to be present in each state by next year. We will also be adding other fashion products to our business line other than shoes.

If you get a chance to start your career again what would you do differently this time?

No, I do not need any chance. I am all onto my dream SIMBACART – More Smiles Each Day!

What are your top three getaway destinations?

USA – As my husband stays there as we hardly meet for just days in a year. Golden temple – Our religious place where I find peace and relaxation.

Share a quote that inspires you the most.

“Want to try The Toughest thing ever and do something great in life, Try being honest in everything you do”.

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