We invited Ashwin Pachori, Co-Founder and CEO of Horza Pvt Ltd, for an interview with Most Popular Stories to know more about his entrepreneurial journey.
Ashwin Pachori is an experienced founder with a demonstrated history of working in the internet industry. Skilled in Corporate Social Responsibility, Operations Management, Microsoft Word, Advertising, and Sales.
- Tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey as an entrepreneur?
Subsequent to completing my MBA I had two options initially was the most effortless one-Get a vocation, begin working 8-10 hours of the day, win in lacs and following a couple of years get settle. The subsequent choice was intense – Start takes a shot at your fantasies, 18-20 hours’ work for every day, no fixed payment, no comfort zone, and riskiest life that was waiting for me. And I decided to go with option 2 because this is what that I want to do.
I belong from a middle-class family, my hometown is Ambah (70kms away from Gwalior) which is a very small town in Madhya Pradesh, and my father is an Edupreneur (a person who start educational school or institute). I did my BBA from New Horizon College Bangalore and MBA from Presidency University Bangalore. During my under graduation, I’ve started my first business or even organization. But I was not satisfied with that business just because that was not something that I really wanted to do so I decided to windup that business.
During my masters, I started investing in shares just to earn some money. I always look for ideas by talking with college friends and teachers to identify why they are not satisfied with a particular brand, what are the reasons or pain point and how would I tackle if I own that particular brand. This process helped me to identify my interest and I’ve decided to start something my own, I decided not to work eight hours for any other company. I was very clear about my life, I was more interested to work on my dreams rather than working for somebody else.
Finally, I and my brother came up with an idea of an online market place where will primarily focus on local shops and rural areas to make their business online. It was not easy to design a platform that will require minimal technical expertise and can be used by every seller. We started with a website and later on came up with two different android applications, the first application was designed for our customers and another one was for our sellers. From the beginning only we are very serious about service support. Our executives are always available to assist in the best possible ways. First, we try to solve queries over the phone if we can’t then our support team personally visits the client’s place and give the best solution.
Right now we are serving across India, our main office is in Bengaluru and planning to expand globally very soon. During my college days, I’ve learned several strategies like Neuromarketing and Blue Ocean, these strategies play a very crucial role in my life. Both strategies taught me several things that I am using in my day to day business life.
Apart from this, my family is very supportive my Mom-Dad never constrained me to do anything and my younger brother always guides, motivates and supports me at every stage of my life I was unable to be here without the immense help of my brother Eshan. And also I have found few companions during my college days who helped me a lot, they always share business ideas, trends, and innovations with me and ready to guide me anytime.
It is very hard to find good supportive people in life but yes I am the fortunate one who found a few decent individuals as companions, guardians, instructors or guides. During earlier days we were not financially strong to afford office space, at that time one of my college friends she ready to provide me her dad’s office space. I don’t have any idea how she convinced her dad but she did.
In Entrepreneurship, it is very essential to ask for help never hesitate to ask for help because you cannot run a company just by yourself you need a team, few minds to discuss the ideas and suggestion to find what would be the best for the company’s welfare.
When we started Horza there were only 4 people including me and my brother, we were not finically strong so we hired 2 candidates on commission based. Later on, we hired few interns, at Horza we believe in productiveness rather than working 8 hours on the field, we always ask our subordinates to work 4-5 hours maximum every day but in that time give your best after finishing you can come to the office and join our brainstorming session where we discuss our ideas, suggestion, and feedbacks that help us to become better day by day.
- Why did you choose entrepreneurship over a job?
From the beginning, I had decided to work on my dreams rather than find a job and start working 8 hours for somebody else. I was passionate about marketing and always interested to understand the mindset of the customers. During my internship, I learned every job has some limitations which limit your thinking capacity as well and after a few years, you will find yourself a person that you never want to be like.
During my college days, there were several classes/lectures that will teach you how to crack the interview by answering a few sets of question and then you will be judged what package you deserve. I always wondered why everyone is running behind jobs because there were few students who were extremely outstanding they had few ideas that can change the world but later on they got placed in some companies and all ideas they left behind.
I always discuss with my faculties to conduct some classes where we can learn how to impress investors rather than HR, how to frame an ideal business plan rather than Resume or CV. But all these things were not possible because of our education system was more focused on getting the job rather than creating jobs. And I decided I won’t join the crowd I will do what I believe. This is what the moment that makes me Rebel where I was going against the norms of so-called society. Where If you say you want to start your business they will think maybe none of the company wants to hire you or you are a failure so the last option starts your own.
But frankly, I never give any shit to those because I know after a few years these people will appreciate me for what I did. And today I work more than 8hours still I enjoy it, I don’t have a salary because I deal in Profits, I work with my talented team in a wonderful working environment rather than a place where you find all people with lots of corporate politics.
- What was the vision behind it?
At Horza We believe that “We Rise by lifting others”
Our Vision is “हिसर्वेशश्वत्” (FOR ALL FOREVER).
We want to see ourselves as a platform that can be utilized by everyone not just to satisfy personal needs and desires but also for the advancement of our country. A platform that ensures quality and value for what customer pays. Also, a platform that helps several business holders to bring more sustainability and growth with little support of Horza.
- Describe the services that you offer to your customers and in what way they are unique?
Horza is an online market place that gives the equivalent opportunity for all types of sellers which includes – Manufacturers, Wholesalers, and retailers as well. We are the one who came up with an idea of promoting local shops by targeting a particular audience, so customers can find what all offers are available at the shop which is near my home or maybe next to my home.
Basically Horza accelerating local business online and offline as well. With the help of our platform, local shopkeepers can serve the whole of India as a single market. On the other hand, we ensure quality checkups before onboarding any vendor on our platform.
Horza is well-positioned as India’s own premium store which means we are committed with quality. Before taking any vendor on board we have an inspection team that tries to find out whether a vendor qualifies our quality test or not? There are certain parameters and benchmarks which have to be qualified to become a seller on Horza.
- What difficulties which you have faced or you are facing?
Like every business even we have confronted a few difficulties however all difficulties were extraordinary learning exercises for us. It was very tough to convince our vendors to sell products online, certain times they did not agree with our commission rates and all. But finally, we overcame it. Moreover, our risks are associated with the right skill set that we look for expansion in the future.
At Horza, We already have a core niche team but I see from future expansion perspective, we would need innovative minds, with a flexible thought process. Although, with a clearly defined process, and innovative means to reach out to search resources, we are confident enough that we will mitigate it.
Now in the current situation where we all are facing a pandemic crisis (COVID 19) is completely spoiled our business situation, firstly it was a very tough journey to take the business on track and just after that we all are facing COVID 19 crisis that again challenging scenario where the business is zero. But as I said earlier all challenges come along with new learnings and we hope everything will be normal soon.
- How do you handle the pressure and manage stress?
Passion+ Hard Work+ Smart Work Sleepless nights – (Comfort zone) = Entrepreneurship. At the point when we state ourselves an Entrepreneur then these words (Pressure or Stress) never have a place in our word reference.
We work more than 12-18 hours just because this is what we love there is nothing like pressure or stress when we work on our dreams. But we always take care of our subordinates and the team should not face the pressure and stress. We never ask them to work 8 hours, we always ask them to work productively if they can finish their work in 5 hours that is enough for the day so that they can balance their work life and personal life. We always work on unique ideas in a creative way every week that also works as a stress buster. We choose open areas and parks rather than the conference rooms to discuss ideas because it helps us to think creatively without any bound.
- What is one strategy that you believe has helped you grow as a person/startup?
Blue Ocean Strategy that encourages me to take all mind-blowing choices, I think this is a technique that can be actualized in business and individual life also. Those who don’t know what is blue ocean strategy is “Thinking beyond the existing competition or limits” or it teaches us how to think something really different that nobody can think. And it motivates me a lot to take all decisions in business so that I can stand where there are a completely new market and opportunity to target that will bring sustainability for sure.
- How your company is helping India to grow?
In the advanced time where E-commerce industry giving an extreme rivalry to our traditional business holders. It is very hard for them to compete with them and many of them want to be a part of the digital revolution but they can’t just because of technical knowledge and expertise. We came out with a platform that will help Indian sellers to increase their market reach online and offline as well.
Apart from selling we also helping our local Kirana stores or local shops to target specific nearby audiences through advertisement. And we are planning to expand our operation globally which means our sellers will able to target the international market very soon that will increase our nation’s export power. And with premium product quality we are also helping to improve the standard of living by reaching across 29 states of India in 4000 cities & towns, and more than 3000 villages.
- In your opinion what are the keys to success?
There are three things such as – Mindset, Dreams, and attitude towards life, Your mindset decides your destination doesn’t matter what others think or say about your dreams because the vision that you can see not necessary all can see the same. Be loyal with your dreams this is where your positive attitude will help you to avoid obstacles. It is very hard for me to sleep at night, the mind always thinks about some new ideas and changes that can bring some revolution in my existing business.
I am always fond of figuring out something niche or new, which may create a proposition for me and the public at large. I usually keep this mode on all the times and it serves the source of my motivation all the time. By GOD grace, have been able to do that as well, where either has created it or worked on something related to it.
Also, I am currently in the process of developing something niche on lines. One last thing that we should not forget that in business our network is our actual network.
- What advice would you give to someone starting out as an aspiring entrepreneur?
I generally deal with a slogan ‘increase the value of getting esteem‘. Try not to concentrate principally on cash or speculations yet maintain your emphasis on making a reasonable endeavor and worth creation. I accept, rest things will naturally set with time. Also, if you are starting up a venture, feel free to reach out to us. You will find us a great partner or mentor to you with innovative means. And yes never hesitate to ask for help always listen to the people around you understand their ideas.
This world is full of lots of opportunities just try to find by proper attention and concentrate. Always look for ideas, innovation if people are complaining about something try to understand what you can do? Can you find any business needs gap? If yes then start working out to solve the problem and make a profit.
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