Vaibhav Pathak - The Biggest Challenge I've Faced Is Winning the Trust of People in a Virtual Setting (Co - Founder & COO, Dot Media Solutions, India)

Instagram - @vaibhavpathak_

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

Our digital first marketing agency - Dot Media Solutions has been a labour of love and we’re still hustling - to briefly summarize - The Girlfriend Box is our up & coming e-commerce venture into the beauty industry, TGB Troop our talent management wing representing some of the most loved faces on the internet like Ronit Ashra, Abhijeet Kain, Mohammad Zama, Ashi Singh & so many more.


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

TGB Troop is the talent management wing of the agency at large, we've worked tirelessly in the digital space for a long time and during lockdown 1.0 it became seemingly clear that influencer marketing is the way forward and we've been at it since, currently managing 40 top tier artists and more to come.


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

The biggest challenge I've faced is winning the trust of people in a virtual setting - talent management is a tough feat and to not be able to physically be present and match energies is a task in and of itself. But I do believe that we worked on honesty, Humility and utmost respect which is why so many unique artists and brands have invested in us the same way we've invested in them.


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

I think the most important qualities are faith in yourself, passion for what you've set out to do and a overall positive outlook in life - I believe gratitude turns what we have into enough.


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

The single most important factor for running a business is a collaborative approach. It's the team that makes any business what it is.


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

There is no substitute to hard work, the harder you work the better you'll feel when you actually achieve your goals. Accept the fact that entrepreneurs as people must be okay with being misunderstood for long periods of time, until they aren't anymore. Be patient with yourself.


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

Never spend your money before you've earned it. Prioritize a cash flow, don't quit your day job until you're absolutely secure with your secondary, being a start up company can be financially exhausting so make sure you only bite off what you can chew and finance your ideas in phases.

- Interviewed by - Sanjana Jain