At BrilliantRead Media, we always strive to bring to our community some of the finest stories from the entrepreneurship world. As part of this endeavour, we invited a passionate entrepreneur – BM Balakrishna for an exclusive interview with us. He is an Entrepreneur, Leader, Change Maker and Visionary. He is the Founder and CEO at AQUAPOT. AQUAPOT™ is an ISO 9001 Certified company and a member of the “Water Quality Association- USA” with a reputation for Quality & Reliability in the market. Based out of Hyderabad AQUAPOT is rapidly expanding its presence across INDIA with a consolidated network of authorized dealers. Let’s learn more about his inspiring journey, his background and his advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with BM Balakrishna:
We are aware of your contribution to the ecosystem, talk us through your background and your journey as an entrepreneur, please;
Let me start off by saying – I haven’t been up to the mark as far as my academics are concerned, I failed 7 times in a single subject – maths in my 12th Standard. Somehow I passed intermediate and then completed a diploma in the automobile. It was 2 years of struggle and failure that motivated me to study well. While I was studying it was very hard for us to manage the money because my family was dependent upon me at that time. In my family, I’m the elder son hence my parents give me more preference and expected more from me.
In 2001, after I finished my diploma certification I thought that I can get any job. So I moved to Bangalore with a lot of hope. At that time, I was very young and energetic also. I used to mail my CV and also carry one in my hand to show it to every automobile showroom and garage. But all of them said we need experienced people. We don’t need fresher. I used to stay in my uncle’s house during that period. I tried many jobs but unfortunately couldn’t find one.
Later on, I approached 2 to 3 employment consultancies. At that time they charged Rs 500 and gave some references. I paid Rs 1000 to the employment agencies and expected some references or phone calls but unfortunately, nothing happened.
I was stuck and going back home was never an option because I wanted to do something on my own. Then somehow I requested my nearby service station owner to provide a job and told him that if you give me a job with these certifications, I will work really hard with all honesty and loyalty.
So that owner replied, there is no need for your certification, qualification. If you’re interested to do an automobile job then here is a protocol for the newcomer which is you have to start with car washing and I accepted the job straightaway. I used to wash cars daily and managed to get Rs 400 to Rs 500 at that time. That was my first salary as a car washer.”
I show my complete interest and passion in washing a particular car in order to which I get tips as well. For the next couple of months, it was going fine.
After that, I have got an interview call from one of the leading companies in my nearby town for a marketing role. I went to the interview and they offered me a Rs 2000 monthly salary apart from that Rs 135 incentive for travelling for marketing purposes.
From Rs 400 to Rs 2000 is a very big jump for me in terms of salary and job-wise. Though I was not at all interested in a marketing job. But I enforced myself to do the job. So I accepted the challenge and started doing it. It was a job where I used to sell agricultural products to the villagers and local people.
For the next 3 years I did hardcore marketing and got promoted to an executive of that particular company. Since I was into marketing I was also looking for a new job in Hyderabad or Bangalore. And I managed to get a better job in Hyderabad and the company offered me Rs 11000. Again it was a very big jump for me.”
After working in a couple of companies I decided to start my own business to work for myself. I have no backup idea. Even in a worst-case scenario if I have to open a Pani-Puri shop, I will open it as I have to start a business on my own. Finally, I decided to quit my job and got around Rs 7 lac as a PF amount.
I spoke to some of my friends and they told me to invest the amount in the share market and you will get double or triple the amount after a period of time. I have decided to invest the whole amount in the share market. At that time, I was very aggressive and daily used to sit in the morning in my home and do trading.
Within a span of a week time my 7 lac became 1.27 lac. and then I figured out that this is not my cup of tea. As the share marketing needs time and patience. From the remaining money I thought I need to quit from the share market and invest it somewhere else.”
After that, one of my friends, who was in the water business, advised that the water business is booming up. So if you can come into this business then that is very good. Also, he has an office which is already running.
There used to be a water expo in Chennai. So I decided to go to the water expo and start doing something on my own. That’s where I met one more guy who was from Tamil Nadu and into the same business.
From there onwards we went to Chennai to learn few more things and then we started selling water purifiers. After 1 or 2 months we figured out that this is a very good business but we don’t have a name. Somehow me and my friend who I met in the water expo came up with the name ‘AQUAPOT’ and we both were able to do the branding, colour combination and all. When I see my final product it was very attractive and people are ready to pay for it.
So now I thought that the brand name was ready and we can sell the products to the customers. In order to get the customer, we at least need a website and a contact number so created a website.
Gradually, we witnessed growth and our sales were increasing. We also reached out to local dealers who can sell our products to the customer. Slowly and steadily, we saw that dealers were very happy with our product and they are got good feedbacks from the customer. Overall it was the positive and fruitful journey.
Despite all the challenges, “AQUAPOT” is a leading water purifier Brand today in INDIA. We also received over 20 National and International Awards. “
My passion or mantra is simple:
“If you ask me to wash a car, I can challenge no one in the world can wash it better than me “
What attracts you towards entrepreneurship instead of a corporate career?
I have worked for a couple of companies for so many years and I wanted to have something on my own which is beyond my comfort zone. Hence, I quit my job when I was comfortably in my comfort zone.
Today people are killing there are goals and dreams because of their current commitments. My motivation was whatever I do in my life I want to do it on my own.
I have put my heart and soul into it and I have decided that for the next 1 year I’m doing to start my own business even if I’m at a loss. Later on, I can think about what I have to do next.”
‘Aquapot’ is such a unique name; talk us through more about it, please. Our audience would also love to know what kind of problem you are solving?
AQUAPOT – A name synonymous with Quality, Reliability and Service par excellence in the water treatment industry. We have built ourselves a reputation as the most innovative and dynamic brand which takes pride in being the pioneer for providing the best value for money.
We have embraced Innovation & Excellence as our core culture in delivering products which positively impact the health of customers without burdening the environment. Our products are a class apart when it comes to sustainability and performance.”
An intensive approach to achieve customer delight at every step has garnered us loyal clients in the industrial and commercial segments while winning us space in the hearts and kitchens of residential customers.
VISION STATEMENT
AQUAPOT will be the recognized leader in Water Treatment Industry through excellence in Innovation, Quality, and Customer Service.
OPERATING PHILOSOPHY
– Striving to be the most trusted brand that offers the best value for money.
– Embracing sustainable technologies with a focus on marketability
– Transforming simple concepts to practical products
– Commitment to delivering up to the expectations of all stakeholders
AQUAPOT™ is an ISO 9001 Certified company and a member of the “Water Quality Association- USA” with a reputation for Quality & Reliability in the market. Based out of Hyderabad AQUAPOT is rapidly expanding its presence across INDIA with a consolidated network of authorized dealers.
Our operations are backed by a professional team with vast experience and expertise in water treatment equipment. We can provide complete guidance for your requirements at a technical level in Commercial RO plants and Softeners apart from the standard range of domestic equipment models. All our products are manufactured using premium grade raw material and components which are sourced from reliable and certified vendors overseas and locally.
How do you manage to keep going despite the challenges? What drives you?
I am a self-motivated guy though I started my journey from scratch it was always self-motivation that kept me going.
We should always keep our mind and soul in it and keep ourselves motivated. I take motivation from everything around me.
Who do you believe has been the biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
1) The biggest source of motivation is the opposite person. If I see a person there are chances for to learn something good and something bad as well.
2) When I see a person, I learn two things:
(a) How to be
(b) How not to be
3) From the last couple of years I have never taken a day or two leaves because I am so much passionate about the work. Word doesn’t feel like work at all when you are passionate about it. This is how I motivate myself.
What are some of the strategies that you believe has helped you grow as a person?
1) Passion, Hard work and Dedication are the 3 things.
But according to me, fear of failure is the ultimate factor where it pulls you backwards. If you come out from the fear then you can do a miracle.
2) I never go for shortcuts. As we know that shortcuts never give us peace of mind.
In your opinion what are the keys to success?
The key to success is:
1) Consistency
2) Patience
3) Belief
Whatever the work you’re doing you have to be consistent and have patience for it to be able to get the result.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
1) Believe in yourself
2) Have confidence
3) Take risks. Even if you fail, you will be able to learn and get a good experience from it.
4) If you have a good idea just go on and implement it
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
