Today, we are interviewing Vedarth Deshpande, a 24 years old founder of Deshpee Group, a group of companies in Pune, India. One of their most significant ventures is Socinova, an affordable social media marketing agency.
1. Please tell us something about yourself.
I started Socinova when I was 19. I am a college dropout. I always wanted to run a business, and when I saw the opportunity, I grabbed it. Now, after 5 years, I’ve worked with over 1000+ clients worldwide and established myself as an expert in small business branding.
2. How did you get into what you do right now? Please tell us more about your journey?
In December 2014, I was looking for ways to make money online and stumbled upon freelancing websites like Fiverr. And I thought, oh yes, I can do something here. And that’s how it started. My clients started asking me if I can do this and do that. I always believe in saying yes as that made me learn new things. And that’s what I did. I said yes to opportunities as they came, and that’s how Socinova started to grow.
3. Who are your role models?
My role model is my father, Shriram Deshpande, who himself is a longtime business owner and a chartered accountant in India. Whatever business sense I have, I got it from him. He and my family supported me in starting my company; hence I came to be.
4. What inspires you?
What I’m really inspired by is the fascinating prospect of technology. Technology is really the final frontier in human evolution, and its endless growth keeps me motivated. It’s my life goal to keep developing companies that use technology to make people’s lives better.
5. Please tell us about your company.
I am the founder and manager of Socinova, an affordable social media marketing agency.
By outsourcing social media management to us for as little as $99 a month, small businesses can free themselves from the hassle of social media and don’t need to hire a full-time person. As simple as that! We’ve been flourishing since 30th June 2014.
6. What’s your most memorable experience?
My most memorable experience is the day I started my company on 10th December 2014. Literally, I remember coming into the office and wondering what to do next. I had no experience of working in any company, I didn’t even give an interview anywhere. Starting my company was my first professional experience.
7. Which social media channels work best for promoting your work? What exactly do you do on the social media channel that makes it work for you?
For me, Facebook and LinkedIn work. Facebook helps to keep me updated with my friends and family, and LinkedIn helps me provide updates about my business network. I try to keep my updates informative and exciting for the readers; hence they get good engagement.
8. What’s your greatest fear?
My greatest fear is losing my ability to work. I want to work till the day I die. I really like my work this much.
9. Looking back, what’s one thing you wish you understood better before you ever got started?
When I had started, I knew nothing, literally. Now, the way I understand how to run a company was something pretty unknown to me when I started. If only I could have known that, I would have made more progress. But no worries, I will make that progress now!
10. What are the strategies that helped you become successful in your journey?
My strategy is simple, be dedicated, and do the simple things first. I started with what I could do. And I did more, I could do more. That’s how I think progress is made.
11. What keeps you going when things get tough?
The thing that keeps me going is knowing that I have nothing else to fall back on. I have no significant education, no job experience, or anything else that I could do otherwise. Deshpee is the only thing I have, and I give it my best.
12. Any message for our readers.
My only message to readers: Do not stop because you think you aren’t perfect yet. Just start with what you have. The forests would be so quiet if only the birds who have the best voice would be singing.
13. How can people connect with you?
Anyone can email me at ved@deshpee.com or call me directly +91-7387394002