Women Who Inspire: Micro-Interview Series
What does it take to build a consumer centric start-up? | Interview with a Founder and Author
Women in my life are a force.
A force of love, care, power, passion, creation and SO much more.
As I am getting introduced to more and more women daily, I am inspired by:
→ the innovative ways they are redefining leadership
→ their impactful approaches to leading organizations
→ the boundaries they are establishing for their own well-being
→ the path they are forging for more women and individuals
→ the unique ways they are defining their work and personal identity
they are superstars!
"Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you."
— Oprah Winfrey
In my new series, "Women Who Inspire: Micro-Interview," I had the chance to interview some of the most amazing women.
And after weeks of work, I am thrilled to present brief, yet powerful, written interviews with extraordinary women who inspire countless individuals in their professional and personal lives.
These women leave me in awe with their achievements and the way they ignite passion in others. Their ability to inspire is truly commendable.
In our first interview of the series, meet Nikita Singh.
She is a visionary author and founder who empowers early-stage startups to thrive through organic marketing and strategic growth, all while mentoring kids and inspiring change with her poetic creativity.
Below is the transcript of my interview with her. I am confident that her journey will ignite a passion within you, leaving you truly inspired.
1) How would you describe the work that you do and about yourself in 2-4 sentences?
I help early stage startups build brands through organic marketing by being strategic partners in growth.
I am an author, change maker and founder who believed in building a purpose driven world one step at a time. I write poem, mentor kids, market brand and lead the world.
2) What inspired you to become a changemaker, and what has been your most rewarding experience so far?
I have always see so many things around through my education, travel, support of my family and the creative field that I am in and I have always wanted to build the space where changes come through. A lot of time we leave by saying, this is a mindset and hard or one person can not change it.
But I think this is what inspired all life, the will to try and take that step. And there have been so many moments of joy but mentoring a class 12th student through claylab and then seeing him as an independent adult going to Azem Premji University on full scholarship has been the best expereience and feeling. And not to forget, Aam Pannaa Creations is and will always be most rewarding no matter what hurdles come.
3) If you could go back in time, what is the one thing you would say to your younger self?
I would always want to be beyond being a kid who took steps but waited for right time to speak about only if they succeeded. I know if taking steps is important to be the changemaker and that realisation has taken me a long way.
4) The one unique challenge that early-stage startups face in marketing, according to you, is:
Understanding what they need at this stage and ads is not the way to go. There is a lack of knowledge at the end. And it is not important unless it is adding to revenue directly.
5) 1 thing you do for yourself every day to show up fulfilled and energised in the world is:
I talk to my family who define my journey, support me with motivation and experience and define how women should have wings and should not be stopped.
6) 3 insights you gained after starting Aam Pannaa Creations:
It would be hard to sum up in 3 insight but the key ones are:
1. Marketing is a really confused and cluttered space where most of the people do not understand what and why of it. In all this, it is the process that matters at the end rather than end result. If your end result is the key of client, it is not worth it.
2. Your team is your asset. No change can happen if you do not provide the team the right space to learn and grow. Working on right people with right mindset is important. But remember if money is the only motivator for your team, its a bad deal.
3. Being a change maker comes with a lot of responsibility of building a purpose driven brand. There is always a need for content consumption, networking and staying right at the top things. As much as your passion drives you, more so is your will to everyday stand up, drive the day and build in your challenges is important. Documentation of challenges is more important than wins, that is what makes you grow and sail.
7) What is your approach to crafting brands that ignite meaningful conversations, and can you give an example?
My key is the strategy.
People often talk about consistency and content a lot but I would say I believe in building the purpose through strategic storytelling. You already have so much to share, your proud market fit is ok but being a founder market fit is important and then documenting. AI has given us lot of ease but it still can not strategise what is the brand need.
I sit with my clients, get a questionnare filled that makes them reflect back and pause and then move on to suggesting the immediate platforms to be on. From there on I define a plan with a monthly in mind, weekly targets and topics and finally moods you want to project. In all this what is important is that I make sure what are the inspirations of a brand and its team.
8) What is your vision for the future of your ventures, and what milestones are you aiming for next?
I am aiming to build a brand that becomes strategic partners in growth for all brands and help amplify the impact that they create globally.
We want to bring in the right strategy and tools to build through the power of organic marketing. After building the Virtual CMO and making it to MIcrosoft Startups Founders Hub and buildspace, I want to take it globally . I want to have the first set of 1000 customers and reach as many markets possible.
Additionally, aiming at US programs like Y Combinators, VCs in the US market and various fellowship. We also want to move to southeast asian market and build for them. The biggest win for us would be when this Virtual CMO and the purpose driven brand becomes a global solution talked about, used and paid for.
9) 1 thing you definitely see yourself doing 5 years down the line:
Building a purpose driven world through my organisation and spreading it through the creativity of my words and poetry.
10) If you could go back in time and relive one day, which one would it be? Why?
I believe I want to live days with my grandparents because that is when I heard stories, I saw the will to lead and got a family that believed in me and my passion. I got stories that shared all around and I knew what it meant for women to lead and create the change.
11) The advice you would give to women who aspire to become changemakers and impact creators is:
I have always believed in "be the change, to see the change". However tough or complicated it might be , be confidence, believe in yourself and take the first step.
A lot of times you will feel alone, a lot of times pushed back but there is no bigger regret than trying. Secondly, collaborate than compete, where ever you need help just ask for without feeling worthless.
And finally document your journey all through, let people know who you are, how you build and how you can lead the change. You are an inspiration.
Phew. I have goosebumps just sharing her journey.
You might not know Nikita personally, but if you would want to share something with her or give her a shout-out, do share in the comments below :)
For more stories and micro-interviews, join me here.
Follow Nikita’s journey here.
If you come across someone who inspires you, take a minute today and send them a message. That’s all it takes to let someone know they are loved.
Until next time,
D