Interview with Ayan Gupta
Interview with local entrepreneurs:
Ayan Gupta is currently managing two non-profits and is part of a startup. STEMZ and Roots Education are two separate registered non-profits. STEMZ Education is Ayan's local outreach program where he works towards introducing students grade 1-7 to STEM fields through programs like Destination Imagination, Science Olympiad and other team-based projects. Roots Education is a non-profit which is the sister program to STEMZ. Roots Education reaches out to students in developing countries to introduce them to the different STEM fields available. Roots sends kits to educators with included materials and curriculum at a low price, or the kit can be sponsored by others. The goal is that the students peruse a career in rapidly growing fields which now have more demand than ever. The purpose of interviewing Ayan was so that we could receive input from someone who manages non-profit organizations and not one driven towards making money.
https://www.stemzeducation.org/
1. What was the hardest part of getting your business on its feet?
The hardest part was often creating a respectable reputation. As a new business, people tended to shy away and look toward other well-known companies. However, once this reputation was created, it was all about allowing word of mouth to spread our name.
2. Did you have any hardships along the way, if so, how did you get through them?
The most prominent hardship I had along the way was attaining a platform that would streamline my service. From the early days, I handled only cash and all my communications were a mess. Instead of reinventing the wheel, I utilized prebuilt software and integration techniques between PayPal and banking services to create a solid payment gateway. I also used existing website models to create my own allowing me to get up and running in a relatively short time span with minimal effort. Being able to create a single platform was the most helpful yet the most difficult.
3. What was the hardest decision you made in the last 6-12 months regarding your business?
The hardest decision was learning to trust the people I am contracting to mentor, teach summer programs, etc.
4. Do you have any concerns for the future of your business now?
I am very passionate about what I have started here. However, considering I am an entering senior I don’t know how I will balance school work with a startup.
5. What tips do you have to manage your time for young entrepreneur’s business not to fail and for them to be doing well academically?
I would start with the minimum and not get too fancy with your business. This allows you to test your theories while investing minimal time and effort allowing you to focus on your academics as well.
6. Do you recommend any books to help other aspiring entrepreneurs build their business?
I never really used any books. The internet was my book in a way.
7. Lastly, do you have anything to say to the newer more inexperienced entrepreneurs?
It takes time to establish a business. It won’t be up and running within a year and will often take multiple attempts and iterations. My business was informally launched as a hobby 4 years ago and in the last two I started polishing, refining, etc. to make it more professional. Take your time and learn all you can and if you are truly passionate about it, don’t leave it even once the class is over.
After talking with Ayan, it seemed to me like getting yourself out there was definitely one of the more important things. Growing your network seems key to a successful business. I feel like it is important to be passionate about what you are doing, and for younger entrepreneurs, not to be doing something only for college applications or your resume because if that's the case, you won't be getting very far. Being passionate also means being persistent and not one to easily give up if something doesn't go your way because it won't, and to use those experiences to your advantage to build something better.
Ayan Gupta is currently managing two non-profits and is part of a startup. STEMZ and Roots Education are two separate registered non-profits. STEMZ Education is Ayan's local outreach program where he works towards introducing students grade 1-7 to STEM fields through programs like Destination Imagination, Science Olympiad and other team-based projects. Roots Education is a non-profit which is the sister program to STEMZ. Roots Education reaches out to students in developing countries to introduce them to the different STEM fields available. Roots sends kits to educators with included materials and curriculum at a low price, or the kit can be sponsored by others. The goal is that the students peruse a career in rapidly growing fields which now have more demand than ever. The purpose of interviewing Ayan was so that we could receive input from someone who manages non-profit organizations and not one driven towards making money.
https://www.stemzeducation.org/
1. What was the hardest part of getting your business on its feet?
The hardest part was often creating a respectable reputation. As a new business, people tended to shy away and look toward other well-known companies. However, once this reputation was created, it was all about allowing word of mouth to spread our name.
2. Did you have any hardships along the way, if so, how did you get through them?
The most prominent hardship I had along the way was attaining a platform that would streamline my service. From the early days, I handled only cash and all my communications were a mess. Instead of reinventing the wheel, I utilized prebuilt software and integration techniques between PayPal and banking services to create a solid payment gateway. I also used existing website models to create my own allowing me to get up and running in a relatively short time span with minimal effort. Being able to create a single platform was the most helpful yet the most difficult.
3. What was the hardest decision you made in the last 6-12 months regarding your business?
The hardest decision was learning to trust the people I am contracting to mentor, teach summer programs, etc.
4. Do you have any concerns for the future of your business now?
I am very passionate about what I have started here. However, considering I am an entering senior I don’t know how I will balance school work with a startup.
5. What tips do you have to manage your time for young entrepreneur’s business not to fail and for them to be doing well academically?
I would start with the minimum and not get too fancy with your business. This allows you to test your theories while investing minimal time and effort allowing you to focus on your academics as well.
6. Do you recommend any books to help other aspiring entrepreneurs build their business?
I never really used any books. The internet was my book in a way.
7. Lastly, do you have anything to say to the newer more inexperienced entrepreneurs?
It takes time to establish a business. It won’t be up and running within a year and will often take multiple attempts and iterations. My business was informally launched as a hobby 4 years ago and in the last two I started polishing, refining, etc. to make it more professional. Take your time and learn all you can and if you are truly passionate about it, don’t leave it even once the class is over.
After talking with Ayan, it seemed to me like getting yourself out there was definitely one of the more important things. Growing your network seems key to a successful business. I feel like it is important to be passionate about what you are doing, and for younger entrepreneurs, not to be doing something only for college applications or your resume because if that's the case, you won't be getting very far. Being passionate also means being persistent and not one to easily give up if something doesn't go your way because it won't, and to use those experiences to your advantage to build something better.
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