Some individuals flourish in all circumstances. To achieve the optimal state of thriving, you ought to have some characteristics: adaptability, optimism, flexibility and motivation. I was the founder of the entrepreneurship cell of Rayat Bahra University, Kharar. We organized few entrepreneurship events promoting the awareness of Startups. It was back then, we developed the interest and decided on starting our own company. We initially focused corporate events only, but our turning point came when we launched our first IP - Crossblade. Things changed when we found our first artists - Jassi Gill and Babbal Rai. At that time, the Punjabi industry was pretty unorganized. With Crossblade, we targeted areas to bridge the gap to take Punjabi music to the next level. Since nobody was in this space, we had to work hard to streamline that niche. Now we manage approximately 25 artists. Starting with Crossblade - India and World’s First Punjabi Music Festival, we now have 7 more IPs, namely -
Crossblade Live
Crossblade Originals
Lager and Barrel Beer festival
Just Comedy festival
Holi Crazy festival
Creator Sessions, Boot Camp 1.0
Folk Attack Music Fest
In summary, EYP Creations specializes in leveraging Punjabi music through its exclusive Punjabi talent & creating its own intellectual properties in the field of live music scenario. EYP Creations, is the biggest and most preferred Punjabi talent management agency in India.
What ignited the spark in you to start a new business venture or to make significant changes in an existing business?
How did the idea for your business come about?
I have a degree in planning and entrepreneurship from IMPM, so the passion to start my venture was always there. But at the initial stage, I was not sure about what kind of business to consider. By the time, we started doing events for the entrepreneurs in the college, while promoting different businesses, that’s when we realized what our interest was in. And like as I’ve mentioned before, when we started managing artists from Punjabi Industry, that kind of changed the game for us.
What were the biggest initial hurdles to building your business and how did you overcome them?
I think the biggest hurdle for anyone or any business is getting good resources to work with you for a longer time. Then building the core team and getting initial business for your venture. We were lucky enough to have the best core team, and since I was already a part of the e-cell, I had several contacts and networks through which we could get our initial business. Also, I was fortunate to have mentors from the industry who actually could help us build our company and supported us through the journey.
What books are you currently reading? And your recommendation for entrepreneurs to read?
I am currently reading ‘The $100 Startup’ by Chris Guillebeau.
Well, I think if someone is still trying to figure out a way to start their own business, I would suggest them to read ‘Will It Fly’ by Pat Flynn.
Did you ever deal with contention from your family and friends concerning your entrepreneurial pursuits?
How did you handle it? What would you do differently in hindsight?
I believe, each one of us, at some point has dealt with some sort of contention. Luckily my family and friends were always supportive of me and my choices. Since I was the founder of the e-cell, it was a high paying job, but I left that job to pursue my passion venture. And even at that point of time, my family played the role of being the crucial support throughout my journey.
What would you say was the single most influential factor in your business success?
Our aim was always to bring forth the creativity and its execution was our foremost concern. So, I think that’s what is the most influential factor in our business success. We wanted to bring forward what was never done before in the industry. Finding the gap and ridging it for the better was one of our many aims. We never ran after money. I think money is the by-product of success.
What do you know today that you wish you would have known when you first got started as an entrepreneur?
I wish I had the sense of business before, that I have today. Just like everyone else, I learned after I made mistakes, be it accounts, be it building a team, be it creating the IPs. I got hold of all the knowledge, the hard way, and I wish I would have known all of this when I first started as an entrepreneur. If that would've happened, I believe, I would've grown much more as an entrepreneur as I have had, now.
What advice would you give to an upcoming entrepreneur locally and internationally?
One should keep up with their patience and never lose hope. Keep doing your thing. Success to some comes early, for some it takes time. But if you keep up the good work going, nothing can stop it from coming your way. Always keep looking for opportunities, as even the slightest one matters when you’re thriving for success.
