Be passionate and the rest will come to you

Rakhee Nagpal, the managing director of Dynamic Vertical Solutions realized that the companies she was working with were growing at a much slower rate than the speed at which she could grow. Very soon she started her own company to explore her potential. Franchise India Media in conversation with Rakhee Nagpal.

Shambhavi Anand (SA): How does it feel to be associated with Microsoft?

Rakhee Nagpal (RN): It feels great to be associated with the leading and the most powerful company in the industry. Our association with them has been long. Microsoft is one of our principle partners. We are the authorized Microsoft Dynamics Partner Development Center in India. All new partners of Dynamics since Aug 2007 in North, East and South (except AP), are recruited, trained and certified by us.

(SA): What is the USP of DVS?

(RN): We add value to the business proposals that we work on. Our objective is integrated business empowerment.

(SA): What is the start-up story behind your business venture? Why did you leave your high paying job?

(RN): The main reason for leaving my job was not monetary benefits. I felt that a business of my own will allow me to release some of my true potential. I felt that I had the strength, capability and vision to create something where there was a need. And four years ago I saw opportunity in the retail and hospitality sector.

(SA): How did you initially fund your organization?

(RN)  It was a challenge to raise funds. While my background was finance, this was my first business venture and so it was not so easy. But I got funded by private investors. And when somebody gets funding from private investors they put a lot of responsibility on themselves. In a way that responsibility gave me motivation to work harder.

(SA): What obstacles or challenges have you faced in bringing DVS to this level?

(RN): The biggest obstacle, if I may say, was that I started alone. It was only me and my vision. To get the right people on board was a difficult task. The best in the industry were already with reputed companies. It took a little while to find the right people. However, I finally found a dedicated and visionary team. Another major problem was building a brand name in the market and  and competing with the big boys in the industry.

(SA): Who is your role model?

(RN): I try to learn from everybody. But if you ask me specifically, I draw inspiration from my mother and father. I and my team have a string faith in the Almighty.

(SA): What advice do you have for new entrepreneurs?

(RN): It is not easy starting an enterprise. For that you need to do your homework well. Do not rush with ideas and decisions. Every decision has to come at the right time and place. In a nutshell, be passionate and the rest will come to you.