At 24, Devanshi Mota, co-founder and
business development head of digital marketing agency Kissdoodles has
experienced the highs and lows of life like few others her age. An avid
traveler, a gymnastics, and Rope Mallakhamb enthusiast, we dive into conversation
with this dynamic young powerhouse about the journey of a 24-year-old,
self-taught entrepreneur.
business development head of digital marketing agency Kissdoodles has
experienced the highs and lows of life like few others her age. An avid
traveler, a gymnastics, and Rope Mallakhamb enthusiast, we dive into conversation
with this dynamic young powerhouse about the journey of a 24-year-old,
self-taught entrepreneur.
 |
| Devanshi Mota, co-founder and business development head, Kissdoodles |
Excerpts:
ST: What was
your inspiration behind starting up a new venture?
your inspiration behind starting up a new venture?
Devanshi: You know how it is always said that you never imagine where
you’re going to find your calling? That cliché held true for me. Prior to
Kissdoodles, I had dabbled in a lot of things. I was working with Shiamak’s
dance academy for a long time, I helped out a friend with some sales and all of
that. It was during that time period, that after talking to a lot of people I
managed to bag my first big client for my friend. And it was then, that he
decided to tell me that he couldn’t do this anymore! By that time, I had
already accepted an amount from the client, mind you, this was a huge client that
we’re talking about and I was trying to figure out what to do. I couldn’t
refuse the client anymore as I was entitled to give her what she had paid me
for, and that’s when I decided to suck it up and learned how to make
a website overnight and that my friend, is how the wheels began rolling.
you’re going to find your calling? That cliché held true for me. Prior to
Kissdoodles, I had dabbled in a lot of things. I was working with Shiamak’s
dance academy for a long time, I helped out a friend with some sales and all of
that. It was during that time period, that after talking to a lot of people I
managed to bag my first big client for my friend. And it was then, that he
decided to tell me that he couldn’t do this anymore! By that time, I had
already accepted an amount from the client, mind you, this was a huge client that
we’re talking about and I was trying to figure out what to do. I couldn’t
refuse the client anymore as I was entitled to give her what she had paid me
for, and that’s when I decided to suck it up and learned how to make
a website overnight and that my friend, is how the wheels began rolling.
ST: Please
tell us more about Kissdoodles.
tell us more about Kissdoodles.
Devanshi: Kissdoodles is fundamentally a web-designing firm, although we
do offer services like social media management, content writing, e-commerce,
influencer’s marketing and strategizing too. We have worked with clients from
India, Dubai, New York, Hong Kong and California. We’re garnering a lot of
interest from the international market, so we’re looking to foray into
that.
do offer services like social media management, content writing, e-commerce,
influencer’s marketing and strategizing too. We have worked with clients from
India, Dubai, New York, Hong Kong and California. We’re garnering a lot of
interest from the international market, so we’re looking to foray into
that.
ST: What business opportunities do you see particularly in your
sector- Digital Marketing?
sector- Digital Marketing?
Devanshi: In today’s day and age; you make a website for your
company, you legitimize it. The traditional ways of marketing your
company through other forms of media like television or newspapers,
for example, are nowhere as effective as using the internet now. It is
important to be present and to be relevant, and there is no faster and more
convenient platform than the internet to get through to people. The world is
changing and we have to change along with it. For example, if you take online
shopping. Who would prefer driving down to a mall and standing in a long queue
over sitting at home comfortably in your pajamas browsing a catalog?
company, you legitimize it. The traditional ways of marketing your
company through other forms of media like television or newspapers,
for example, are nowhere as effective as using the internet now. It is
important to be present and to be relevant, and there is no faster and more
convenient platform than the internet to get through to people. The world is
changing and we have to change along with it. For example, if you take online
shopping. Who would prefer driving down to a mall and standing in a long queue
over sitting at home comfortably in your pajamas browsing a catalog?
ST: How has
your entrepreneurship journey been so far?
your entrepreneurship journey been so far?
Devanshi: Like any worthwhile journey, it has been challenging as well as
rewarding. Coming from a non-entrepreneurial background, there were many
obstacles to face as I’ve had to learn everything on my own. Also, as my
academic background has nothing to do with web-designing, it was complex and
scary at times, but it also helped me become confident about myself. If there’s
something I’ve taken away from all this, it’s that skills are achievable,
hunger isn’t.
rewarding. Coming from a non-entrepreneurial background, there were many
obstacles to face as I’ve had to learn everything on my own. Also, as my
academic background has nothing to do with web-designing, it was complex and
scary at times, but it also helped me become confident about myself. If there’s
something I’ve taken away from all this, it’s that skills are achievable,
hunger isn’t.
ST: As an
entrepreneur, what challenges do you face in your day to day professional life,
if any?
entrepreneur, what challenges do you face in your day to day professional life,
if any?
Devanshi: Web designing is a lengthy process, so over a period of time,
the customer begins to lose interest. Convincing the customer to provide us
with his attention and steady input is sometimes a challenging job. We need to
assure him that the project is moving in the right direction as fast as it can,
to retain his faith in us. Also since we are a team, we face a lot of varying
ideas and opinion clashes. There are so many brilliant ideas, it’s difficult to
choose! So to channel our differences in a way that is most beneficial to the
final product proves to a little difficult at times.
the customer begins to lose interest. Convincing the customer to provide us
with his attention and steady input is sometimes a challenging job. We need to
assure him that the project is moving in the right direction as fast as it can,
to retain his faith in us. Also since we are a team, we face a lot of varying
ideas and opinion clashes. There are so many brilliant ideas, it’s difficult to
choose! So to channel our differences in a way that is most beneficial to the
final product proves to a little difficult at times.
Also, since I’m not from an entrepreneurial
background, it was a challenge initially to pitch myself to potential clients.
I had to learn to speak the language of the customer. I’ve learned a lot from
every professional experience I’ve had through Kissdoodles, and that has helped
boost my self-confidence.
background, it was a challenge initially to pitch myself to potential clients.
I had to learn to speak the language of the customer. I’ve learned a lot from
every professional experience I’ve had through Kissdoodles, and that has helped
boost my self-confidence.
ST: How
big is your team? Are you looking to hire?
big is your team? Are you looking to hire?
Devanshi: Currently, we are a team of 8-10 people and yes, I am most
definitely looking to hire. I believe my team to be the backbone to
Kissdoodles, and I would love to expand.
definitely looking to hire. I believe my team to be the backbone to
Kissdoodles, and I would love to expand.
ST: What are
your future plans?
your future plans?
Devanshi: I believe that this is the generation of millennials. We want to be known as the team of
millennials who give you the craziest, yet most brilliant solutions and
marketing techniques. I want to create a work culture where my teammates get to
work every day with gusto, happiness, and satisfaction; a work culture which
compels people to come up with solutions that are out of the box and still at
the end of the day is all virtual. We want to try looking for solutions to all
the current challenges this industry is facing, so we’re looking for ways to
fast forward the web designing process to make it more fun and quick. Apart
from that, we’re also thinking about certain projects considering the farmers
and working class of India, since we believe it is vital to the country’s
progress.
millennials who give you the craziest, yet most brilliant solutions and
marketing techniques. I want to create a work culture where my teammates get to
work every day with gusto, happiness, and satisfaction; a work culture which
compels people to come up with solutions that are out of the box and still at
the end of the day is all virtual. We want to try looking for solutions to all
the current challenges this industry is facing, so we’re looking for ways to
fast forward the web designing process to make it more fun and quick. Apart
from that, we’re also thinking about certain projects considering the farmers
and working class of India, since we believe it is vital to the country’s
progress.
Send us your feedback at startupterminal@gmail.com
