eChai with Khushboo Solanki Sharma, Founder, Zero Gravity Communications

Our today's guest for eChai with an Entrepreneur is Khushboo Solanki Sharma, Founder, Zero Gravity Communications which is a strategic branding & creative advertising agency. They provide marketing consultancy, branding ideas & design solutions across all platforms like print, outdoor, web, digital media, and audio-visuals. She is also the co-founder of Joules - the category-defining retailer in freshly squeezed-to-order healthy juices, premium fruit smoothies, creamy Fruity Delights, thick fruit and chocolate shakes. JOULES aims at developing a recognized brand consistent to all the outlets, which customers can relate to, wherever they go, thus providing a standardized level of service and quality at each outlets.

Khushboo is an engineer by qualification but creative by heart and head. If you don’t find her nose buried in the computer you will find it amongst the pages of a novel. A talented lady who handles the clients but her true talent is handling the chaos of the ideas flowing in the office. Constructing one happy family because Khushboo is the un-biological mother to all her toddlers at Zero Gravity Communications. 

Here is the insightful and candid conversation with Khushboo. Join the conversation to ask any specific questions to Khushboo.

Early Years : 

When did it first strike you to begin this venture and why? Your Eureka Moment (the moment you decided to be an entrepreneur). 

While working for others when I started realising the gap and my limited reach to influence the team and bring the change. I realised I need to have my own start up to do things I am ideating. Being on field with client servicing gives very good idea of what clients what and having creative interest makes me suitable person to demand and bring encouraging outputs from creative team.

Business Venture : 

What is your business model and what problems does it solve? What are market opportunities? How is it different from your competitors? How do you generate revenues ?

We are 360Degree Idea driver advertising and consulting company, we focus on working with start ups and first time retail brands where they don't have budget for big agency but still need professional help to boost their brand.

Change from competitor is our approach to each client. Revenue is through servicing.

Sales : 

How did you make your first sale and how much time it took you from starting up to closing the first sale ? How long is your sales cycle ?

I started because I had client before even I had team :) ( hope that says it all )

Company Culture : 

What kind of culture exists in your organization? How did you establish this tone and why did you institute this particular type of culture?

We call our team "the idea people" each member is part of team because they have ability to bring new and fresh ideas on table. This tone was established the day we had first employee. Now also we don't just hire anyone but one who fits the culture first. 

Partnerships : 

What are your views about finding the right Co-Founder ? How did you find your business partner? According to you who is the ideal business partner?

Haven't found the co-founder as yet. Partnership only works with like minded and in my case and the kind of business I am in. I haven't been successful here so far to have cofounder or partner who compliments my ability. 

Hiring : 

How did you hire your first employee ? And in general what's your hiring policy ? How important have good employees been to your success?

We see people with ideas and challenges, first employee came with reference but his work portfolio was impressive enough so we had him. Same applies now, as we expand we try to stick to this rules. 

Learning : 

How did you handle your disappointments and failures?

By keep moving forward. As an entrepreneur every day we encounter new challenge, new roadblock, new targets. Every time there is disappointments personal or professional goal is to keep moving forward. One step at a time helps to solve small issues. 

Vision : 

What's your vision for your venture. What do you want to accomplish in your life ? What are your future aspirations?

Vision is to carve our own niche in industry, that is on going process so I don't believe there is ever full stop in process. Future aspiration is keep creating new products in creative space and bringing more to clients and then socially bring learning to masses.

Work-Life Balance : 

How do you find a balance between work family and social life?

Stick to work timing, and resolution 2015 is 2, 4th Saturday off :) 

Risks : 

Which was the boldest decision you ever made to have this venture work?

To have my venture, I quit job without plan that was first risk. My second venture was success but partner didn't fit the long term goal that I had so separated and still started what we call now Zero Gravity Communications. 

Here are some amazing photos from Khushboo's entrepreneurial journey.