Global Solutions founder Raj Shah's Interview

At Most Popular Stories, our aim is to bring to our community some of the unique and compelling stories from the start-up ecosystem. As part of this endeavor, we invited a passionate and purpose-driven young entrepreneur – Raj Shah, Founder of Global Solutions.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey as an entrepreneur

I am Raj Shah and I am from Mumbai. I always wanted to do business but I wasn’t sure what business I wanted to start. When I was in college my uncle in the USA told me that do something in Computers and I can then find a job in the USA. That’s how I got enrolled myself for a computer course.

Global Solutions,entrepenurship, entrepreneurship business owner,

After doing a basic course I did not have funds to pay for the advance course of programming that’s when I decided to take a job in the same computer institute where I was learning.

They were paying a very nominal salary but they said they will allow me to sit in advance courses in my free time when I am not teaching basic computers to others. I liked the idea of being able to learn advance technologies and I accepted their offer. This was my first step towards starting my journey as an entrepreneur.

While I was still learning advance courses I had already decided what would be the name of my company and had already printed my business cards.

Then one thing leads to another and in12 months I had an offer to work with a music channel and handle their website and software work. I use to work 10 to 6 and before and after my job I use to do marketing, meet new clients and would also do their software/website work at night when I use to get time.

I use to work 16-18 hours a day. I invested all the money I saved from my salary and freelance work in buying a small office. One day when I saw that I had 15-20 clients who are giving me regular work and I can survive without my monthly salary I quit my job and started my company full time.

My company is called Global Solutions (www.globalsolutionindia.com)

Why did you choose entrepreneurship over a job?

Entrepreneurship is in my blood. I have seen my dad having his own business and all my friends/relatives had their own business so doing a job was just to take some experience by working in a real office environment.

What was the vision behind it?

There was no vision but I had a strong reason. My dad had some big business loss when I was in school and we had lost quite a bit of money and comforts. That’s when I had decided that I will give my parents all the things they have lost.

In Global Solutions, Describe the services that you offer to your customers and in what way they are unique?

We do everything from Websites/Graphic Design/Branding/Digital Marketing/Banners/Image Editing to E-commerce. Our USP is fast turnaround so for example if a client wants to do something done locally in the USA and the company there might say it will take 4 days to finish the job, we turn them around in 1 day at a much cheaper cost.

What difficulties which you have faced or you are facing?

At the moment we are not facing any difficulty apart from the lockdown which is going around the world. When I started my business I had faced all kind of difficulties from finding a client to paying rent and other business expenses but since I was doing my marketing, accounts, and programming all my myself I saved on paying salaries to other people for above roles and invested that money to grow my business.

How do you handle the pressure and manage stress?

I plan my day in advance and I finish all the urgent work first that way in the latter part of the day we don’t have pressing deadlines and stressful situations. I love music so good music and early morning gym keeps me fresh and going for the whole day.

What is one strategy that you believe has helped you grow as a person/startup?

I never looked at any projects I did from a money point of view. I take into account, what clients want when he wants, can I deliver at that time, can I be as per his expectations and the last thing which comes on my mind is the financial aspect. This has helped me in growing and also because of this unique quality all my clients trusted me and gave work even without knowing me.

How your company is helping India to grow?

I am working with only companies from abroad so my company is getting all the money in foreign currency which is helping to grow our forex reserve and also employment in our country. But most importantly we are giving quality work with faster turnaround and friendly services which creates a positive and friendly image of our India.

In your opinion what are the keys to success?

Hard work, Dedication and Persistence.

What advice would you give to someone starting out as an aspiring entrepreneur?

You need to have a goal in your mind because that is what will keep pushing you and not give up in difficult situations. Never give up and if you work hard and do what you are doing for 1-3 years persistently you will succeed and automatically new doors will open for you.