‘Having a right team that would execute is critical’ Praveen of JoGuru

This Entrepreneurial Story is about Praveen, Saket and Karthik who Founded ‘JoGuru’ located in Pune, India.

Brief Intro of the founders-

JoGuru is co-founded by three people – Praveen Kumar (which is me), Saket Newaskar and Karthik Ramachandra.

• I have done my MBA from IIM lucknow. I have an overall work experience of about 7 years with companies like Nokia, Samsung and HCL.
• Saket has an overall experience of about 7 years. Before joining JoGuru he worked with companies like Toshiba, RPG Enterprises CEAT Tyres and HSC and has done MBA from MDI, Gurgaon.
• Karthik has about 3 years of experience. He is currently working with Akamai Bangalore. He is a IIM Indore passout

When Started: September 2011

What motivated you to start your Business?

Three of us were driven by same passion that’s Traveling. All of us planned for a trip to Leh. We started researching content on the internet on which bike to use, what permits to take and what rations and spares to carry etc. It took us nearly a month to put all the data together. We later found out that people send insane amounts of time on the internet for a self-planned vacation. Hence the idea of JoGuru.

Tell us about your Business

JoGuru is tailored platform for travelers. It’s a one stop solution to know for all your travel worries like where to go? What to do? Where to stay and how to plan itineraries?

On JoGuru one can find array of tourist attractions, eat outs, accommodations and their reviews. It’s unique in the way JoGuru creates visual itinerary. it’s robust, simple and easy to understand.

What is a Day in a life of you like?

I am a workaholic. I put around 80 – 100 hrs a week into my venture. I heard someone saying somewhere that the minimum an entrepreneur should work is about a 100 hrs a week. So I am barely making the cut

One particular skill you got right and gave you best results.

Perseverance! That’s what has helped us to get to the stage we are right now

What have been your biggest challenges in running your Business so far?

It’s extremely important that one has a right team. All business and marketing strategies will more or less fall in place. But having a right team that would execute them is critical.

How did you overcome these challenges?

We have spent last 12 months recruiting right team combination. We have managed to get people with right mindset in crucial positions. It took us long as we were not just focused on management aspect or technical background while recruiting. We wanted combo of all.

What advice do you give to other business owners?

One has to be vigilant to know the market gap and where do we fit in. Always coping with the change in technology is not an easy job. One has to keep patience.

How did you keep motivated through difficult times?

Like I said, patience is the key. I have always believed in this idea and product. Tough times and good times are part and parcel of life. I am highly optimistic.

What are your Marketing, Funding and Team Building Strategy?

We are marketing mostly through the medium of social media. We were angel funded a year back from a Pune based company. We are approaching more to get funding for next round of product development and enhancement.

Your Achievements?

My biggest achievement is the Visual Itinerary planner feature. It is one of its kind with its own algorithm.

We have also managed to get a seed fund of $250,000 from a Pune based angel.

What’s your favorite quote?

Stay Hungry – Stay Foolish

Who inspires you?

Steve Jobs.

Do you have a Business Philosophy?

Never give up. Success is just around the corner

Contact links

Facebook  |  Website  |  Twitter   |  LinkedIn

More Info

https://www.startupfreak.com/joguru-social-travel-network/

Startup Freak wishes joguru Team, All the Best!