"My Biggest Challenge Was to Bring Awareness to My Intentions" - Dr. Trilok Sharma

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1. Tell us more about your company and your journey.

Vocademics, is a partnership firm. We (me and my wife) started this venture in 2017 in the name of Aadhar Enterprises (a Proprietorship firm), converted into a partnership firm in May 2019. 

Vocademics has a meaning, i.e. Vocation + Academics. We are trying to develop this company as a one-stop solution for all kinds of Vocational Trainings (including a little part of Academics too). To start with, we have focused on Teachers’ Training (for Schools, Colleges, and Universities). 

We conduct TESOL/TEFL Training programs, as well as certification courses for Business Communication, IELTS, TOEFL, OET, Foundation & Advance Courses for the English Language. 

Apart from this, we conduct corporate soft skills training sessions, NPL Sessions, Motivational workshops for employees and students, and so on. So far, the journey of Vocademics can be stated as satisfactory, however, we have yet to achieve the dream targets. 

2. How did you come up with this idea and go about executing it? 

When I was in Gulf for almost 8 years assignment, I found that most of the Indians working abroad are not being paid well because they are not fluent or comfortable with the English language, as well as they are lacking in corporate soft skills. 

After coming back to India in 2017, I surveyed many training institutes, but I realized that except a few, all are running fake shows with incompetent and underqualified trainers. This vacuum encouraged me to start such an institute to help our young aspirants. These skills are equally important within the country as well. 

3. What has been the biggest challenge that you faced and how did you overcome that? 

My biggest challenge was to bring awareness to my intentions and compete with big giants in the market. I have yet to overcome this challenge. But I firmly believe that spending a lot of money on advertising and then recover that cost from unemployed youth is not at all justifiable. 

So, I am using social media platforms and word of mouth to bring awareness. Of course, this process is slow, but it helps me to divert the savings towards quality performance.

4. What do you think are the most important qualities of a successful entrepreneur? 

In my opinion, a successful entrepreneur should possess the following five main qualities, which I teach to all upcoming entrepreneurs - 

1. A clear sense of direction 
2. Decisive and Action-Oriented Approach 
3. Persistence 
4. Self-Discipline 
5. Integrity 

5. What are some of the most important factors for running a successful business? 

To be successful in any business, one needs to be creative, well organized, focused, aware of the competition, provide ethical services/products, and ready to face diverse conditions. 

6. What are your tips for the first time and aspiring entrepreneurs? 

New and aspiring entrepreneurs have great opportunities in emerging domestic and international markets. They just need to properly identify the opportunity, assess minutely it, and execute with full enthusiasm. 

7. How can one overcome a hurdle of lack of funds when starting up? 

It is true that in the beginning, most of the new entrepreneurs have to face fund problems. I would suggest preparing your business plan in such a way that it reflects your complete roadmap of the venture. If you are clear and confident about your plans, the investors will not feel any risk in investing. 

Secondly, new entrepreneurs should also be aware of Government policies and schemes. If they choose their venture, based on Government policies and schemes, they will get easy funds with subsidies. 

- Dr. Trilok Sharma 

(Linkedin profile) 

- Interviewed by: Soumya Jain