Vikram VarshneyCo-Founder of Urjakart.com Published On: Tuesday, July 14, 2015 Views 4264
"Everyone in this world is a normal human being like you. Think that before you start working in this competitive world"
Vikram Varshney, bachelor of engineering, electronics & communications has played distinct roles as engineer & founding directors of various ventures. Before co-founding Urjakart, an online store for home improvement products, he was a part of Windiva Hybrid Energy (P) Ltd & Indoi Systems Pvt Ltd and contributed to both as founding director.
After completing engineering from Delhi College of Engineering, Vikram joined several organizations but his urge to explore hidden opportunities and innovate new ideas finally brought him to entrepreneurial world and he co-founded this home improvement e-store with Gaurav Singh Rana. Idea to build Urjakart.com came to life after the duo faced difficulty as customers of similar products. Though it was not easy to bring home upgrading tools & implements to online platform yet Urjakart succeeded and today is a prominent seller in its domain. Read more about Vikram Varshney’s experience.
Please provide a brief overview of your product/ service?
Online Ecommerce Platform for Home Improvement Products
What inspired you to build the above product/ service?
As a customer for the home improvement commodities, we faced several issues like lack of brands, and higher prices available with the retailers. In short, we saw a lots of money leakages in the industry.
What is your life mantra?
Being loved by few is way better than liked by many. In other words, retention is priority over acquisition.
What was the most challenging part of your journey till now?
Conveying that usage of technology, internet and e-commerce will help their business; to the old fashioned distributors and importers was quite difficult.
How did you overcome those challenges?
It was a gradual process. The order volume from our portal was small yet frequent. So over a period of time, the volume became much larger than bulk orders placed by dealers (who place order only once in a while).
Share some details about the investments that you have been able to fetch for the business till now.
We have received investment from 500Startup company. They invested $125K in the company.
How do you protect yourself from the problem of Brain Drain?
You can say we have the right atmosphere in the office. But please don’t misunderstand the atmosphere with casual and laid back office.
According to you, what are the three qualities an individual must have to achieve success?
- Perseverance
- Hard work
- Determination
Which online tools/ services/ apps do you use the most and would like to recommend as well?
- Magento
- Zendesk
- Wufoo
- Google for Business
- Skype
Share any one habit which you think makes you more productive.
Every morning remember why you are in a startup.
Note – Although the goal may evolve from what it was when you resigned from the “regular job”
Share any one habit which you wish to change in yourself.
Not to be so introvert
Answer in less than 50 words
One tip to success:
Be relentlessly resourceful – Paul Graham
One mistake you believe every individual must avoid:
Never relax in a startup
One most important lesson that you have learnt till now:
Always know 2 things – who is your customer, what does he want.
What are your plans for next 3 years?.
To make Urjakart as The Brand in home improvement business.
If you get a chance to start your career again what would you do differently this time?
Well, so I have power to travel time. I would start Urjakart.com back in 2010 when ecommerce was still budding industry.
What are your top three getaway destinations ?
Dunno, I have not travelled much. I think of all the places I have been to San Francisco is the top getaway destination.
Share a quote that inspires you the most.
Everyone in this world is a normal human being like you. Think that before you start working in this competitive world.
Connect:
- Business Website http://www.urjakart.com/
- Facebook https://www.facebook.com/urjakart
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