Drishti Gupta & Bani Singh - Start Somewhere, You'll Never Feel "Fully Ready" (Co-Founders)

The goal of Now&Me is to foster an environment where the user can talk and feel heard. To let them know that they matter and an entire community spanning across the globe is rooting for them.

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

Both Drishti Gupta and Bani Singh were classmates while pursuing their Bachelor’s in Statistics from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi, Batch of 2019. It was during their final semester that they came up with the idea of starting Now&Me.

Now&Me is a peer to peer community support network for people to feel better during tough and difficult times.

Users can express whatever they’re feeling in a safe space, with the option of doing so anonymously, and interact with others who might have been through similar things as them. It also equips them with resources and tips to navigate and lead a better life.

The goal is to foster an environment where the user can talk and feel heard. To let them know that they matter and an entire community spanning across the globe is rooting for them.

This community comes totally free of cost ensuring that resources do not pave hindrance to the free flow of emotions. Now&Me believes in the unbottling of emotions and facing it ferociously by talking it out.

We envision Now&Me to be the one-stop solution for mental wellbeing, wellness, and a strong focus on meaningful human conversations, personal interactions, and human vulnerability.

Now&Me will provide content, community and counselling to individuals along with the focus on moderation, data privacy and ensuring it to be a safe space that has a positive impact on their mental health.

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

Personal reasons compelled us to create a space that we ourselves longed for. We saw the growing need for solutions in this industry and how social media platforms have become toxic, forcing people to leave such platforms and find alternatives [41% adults globally agree that they feel lonely on a regular basis, 70% agree that social media has become toxic].

A technology-based solution was the only way to go because of its potential for global reach and larger impact. After all, someone miles away can make you feel better. A lot of people are conscious about sharing their true feelings on social media due to the apprehension of being judged. Hence, they simply tend to paint a rosy picture of their lives.

Now&Me breaks this barrier and gives an opportunity to everyone to have conversations around mental health issues, and seek help within the network.

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

The biggest challenge for us always has been the constant rollercoaster of emotions you have when you're building something of your own.

The constant change in emotions: dilemma, doubt, fear, excitement, confidence, belief etc is something you have to deal with when starting out! We talk about these emotions between ourselves and try to get through one day at a time, keeping the bigger goal and vision in mind.

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

Tenacity, consistency, and ability to prioritize!

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

Your team can make or break your company. Always invest in building a great team if you want to run a successful business. Layout strategies and plans for execution and operations. Move with a plan and goal in your mind. Make sure your entire team is on board with the same plan and goal as you are.

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

You have to start somewhere and you can't endlessly keep waiting for the "day" when you'll suddenly feel ready. You have to just get going and learn along the way. Start with a pilot project, start with an MVP, start with a google form, but just START. Start somewhere, you'll never feel "fully ready".

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

If you truly believe in your idea, don't hesitate from asking for funds from your friends and family members. Try to build a team that is equally passionate about the problem you're solving and get them on board to work with you. Minimize costs which are not absolutely necessary for your core business. For eg, you don't need that fancy office when you're starting out.

- Drishti Gupta & Bani Singh (Co-Founders of Now&Me)

Now&Me - https://nowandme.com/