“I believe in the power of brands”– this belief is the secret behind the successful, young entrepreneur of today – Ankita Shrivastava, The Director, Aadarsh Technosoft Pvt Ltd.
Ankita Shrivastava, 27, is a serial Entrepreneur in the IP, media, entertainment and edTech Business. IP – Purple Turtle developed by her company has exported to more than 25 countries. She is also an International Athlete who has won 2 Golds and 1 Silver for India at the World Transplant Games by the Olympics Association. She is the Franchisor to 14 Purple Turtle Pre-schools in India and Nepal.
As the Director of Aadarsh Technosoft Pvt Ltd, she has developed 8 brands and MSA Global Sourcing Pvt Ltd that deals in sourcing products across the world from Disney approved factories in India.
Ankita Shrivastava shares her views on success strategies and tips, and motivation with Business Upside in this interview.
Edited Excerpts from the Interview
Business Upside [BU]: How did you get your idea or concept for the business?
Ankita Shrivastava [AS]: I came in as a Coordinator in a publishing house, starting my journey from editing books, managing a design team to production. As a licensee of Barbie, Ben10, Marvel Heroes and being a Disney Approved Factory I learned the nuances of a brand, quality and content. We soon went on to work on our own Intellectual Property in the preschool category, Purple Turtle.
Business Upside [BU]: Have you ever turned down a client?
Ankita Shrivastava [AS]: Yes, understanding your bandwidth and clients expectations are key to starting a project. Over-commitment can hurt the reputation and integrity of the company.
Business Upside [BU]: What is unique about your business?
Ankita Shrivastava [AS]: I believe in the power of brands. With our focus on preschool licensing, franchising and publishing, everything we do is around the character, Purple Turtle. This character becomes a unique selling point with which every parent, child or customer can connect.
Business Upside [BU]: How do you generate new ideas?
Ankita Shrivastava [AS]: It is often by interacting and meeting new people. People are a rich source of information if you hear carefully. Often their distorted ideas can pave way for your next steps.
Business Upside [BU]: If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting, what would it be?
[AS]: Find a mentor. No one, I mean no one has ever succeeded by themselves. Mentors will steepen your learning curve and help you make fewer errors.
Business Upside [BU]: How do you define success?
Ankita Shrivastava [AS]: Success to me is seeing people prosper. When you donate, you help one person at one time but an entrepreneur runs many families for years, makes them self-reliant, and independent by taking the risk to run a business.
Business Upside [BU]: Do you believe there is some sort of formula or pattern to become a successful Businessman?
[AS]: Indefinite hard work, risk taking capabilities and networking are 3 things that do give you an edge over others.
Business Upside [BU]: How do you market your business, and which method has been most successful?
Ankita Shrivastava [AS]: I market through multiple mediums depending on the vertical I am working on and the market it is catering to.
For example, TV Show production deals happen through Trade Shows where I get to network with distributors, broadcasters and co-producers. For B to C, social media has proven to be the most efficient.
Business Upside [BU]: What motivates you to become an Entrepreneur?
Ankita Shrivastava [AS]: I always wanted to help people. I don’t know a better way than to provide them employment. It gives them confidence, independence, responsibility and I get my sense of fulfilment.
Also Read: Entrepreneurial Journey of Madhavi Shankar, the Co-Founder, and CEO of SpaceBasic, Inc.
