We invited BM Balakrishna from Aquapot for an interview with Most Popular Stories to know more about his entrepreneurial journey.
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey as an entrepreneur
After my diploma in automobile, I started searching for jobs, unfortunately, I did not get any job finally I requested a Maruti service garage for any kind of job so they offered me a car washer for 400 per month. I accepted and started working there.
After a few days, I was the elder son and need to take care of the family so the salary was not enough. Later I jumped to marketing for a 2000 per month salary and later worked 11 years in the marketing field with a series of jobs. I was frustrated with the boss culture in any marketing who was taking advantage of my sales. Finally, I decided to quit and start my own business.
I was not sure what kind of business to start but I decided in the worst case I will start a Panipuri shop and not work in any company. I put my papers where I am working and collected my PF amount of 7 lakhs and invested in the share market. My aggressive trading left me at a loss and the let-over amount was 1.27 lakhs in 7 days. At that time one of my friends suggested starting a water purifier business with that 1.27 lakhs. I started a water purifier business named “AQUAPOT”.
2. Why did you choose entrepreneurship over a job?
I was frustrated with corporate culture and by no other choice, I started a business. My passion for business made my company in the Top 25 in the Indian water industry.
3. What was the vision behind it?
Once I started my vision to generate more and more entrepreneurs like me. So, in each state, we opened RO Stores with the first generation who has no idea about business. Now, we have 15+ RO Stores and 100+ “AQUAPOT” dealers in South India.
4. Describe the services that you offer to your customers and in what
way they are unique?
Since we maintain huge stocks and we purchase in bulk we pass on the benefits to the retailer so that they will get better pricing and compete in the market.
5. What difficulties which you have faced or you are facing?
As a first-generation entrepreneur, there will be many challenges. In my case, I was not having funds to develop my business so I just focused instead of thinking I don’t have money I focused like I want to be something different in my business and started developing some qualities like no leave ( 100 % attendance to my work for many years ) and answering the customer calls and quite very fast and try to get the customer confidence and developing the products in my own brand name instead of selling some others name ( Branding )
6. How do you handle pressure and manage stress?
The little difficult question still… I train my mind to work on practical situations when sometimes I am stressed I use to read books, listen to songs, and watch life-changing videos.
7. How do you market your business?
Branding a product instead of selling just like it. I add value to the product like quality and pricing with attractive packing I sell through my stores with 100% quality assurance and when something wrong happens to our products we act at the same speed and try to solve and gain customer satisfaction.
8. How many hours a day do you work on average & can you
describe/outline your typical day?
My day starts at 8 am I woke up around 8 (presently ) earlier I used to wake up at 6.30 but now its 8 am and getting ready for the office ( I have a gym at home but for the past few months I was not doing so not mentioned ) after fresh up I am the first person to come to my office and last person to go from office even today.
9. In your opinion what are the keys to success?
Almost everyone who is working like 80% of people wants to become an entrepreneur but the main problem is their commitment.
In my case, there was no single person who motivated me when I decided to start a business and nothing was a favor for me. Even at that time I was just married but the decision was to quit that comfort zone and take a step forward.
I focus on my strengths and what I don’t have ( ex: money )
10. What advice would you give to someone starting out as an aspiring entrepreneur?
If you want to start a business and your mind motivates towards it, please start even if you fail after spending 1-2 years. If it succeeds your life changes in an unexpected way.
Visit us at – http://www.aquapot.in/ http://ionoi.in
Like us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/aquapotindia
Follow us on twitter – https://twitter.com/Aquapotindia
Follow us on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/bm-balakrishna-64592373/
Email us at – [email protected]
We also had an Interview with Swapna S an entrepreneur, learn more about her remarkable journey, vision, and plans for the future here.
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