At BrilliantRead Media, it is our constant endeavour to identify and share some of the unique and compelling stories from the startup ecosystem. As part of this, we invited Minal Anand for an interview with BrilliantRead Media. She is an Entrepreneur, Leader and Founder & CEO of GuruQ India. Let’s learn more about her background, her inspiring journey so far and advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Minal :
We know that edtech startups are going through a disruptive phase, with so many startups failing. How come GuruQ is growing?
There’s no doubt that edtech startups are facing a disruptive phase, with many startups failing to find their feet in the market. However, GuruQ has been growing steadily and strongly, and the reason behind our success lies in our approach.
We focused on building a platform for both online and offline classes, which we knew would be in demand once schools reopened. Other edtech companies focused only on online or content-based learning.
This allowed us to hit the product-market fit at the right time, ensuring that our platform was well-suited to the market’s evolving needs.
Our inclusive approach, combining online and offline, gave us a wider reach and a more holistic learning experience. Our success is also due to the quality of our product, great customer support, and a price bracket available for everyone.
Finally, our success is also due to the quality of our product, our commitment to excellent customer service, and our competitive price point. We have worked hard to ensure that the GuruQ platform is user-friendly and intuitive, while our customer service team is always available to address any concerns that our users may have.
Moreover, our class budget is designed to be affordable for every pocket, making quality education accessible to all.
Let’s try to predict what will happen in 2023. What do you look forward to?
In 2023, we’re excited about the possibilities for GuruQ. Our focus has always been on providing high-quality, accessible tutoring services to students of all ages, and we’re constantly exploring new ways to enhance our offerings.
One area we’re particularly excited about is the development of our new model. This will enable us to become a one-stop shop for all tutoring needs, offering a comprehensive range of courses and services that cater to a diverse range of learners.
We’re confident that this new model will enable us to expand our reach and serve even more students in the coming years. We cannot wait for the BIG REVEAL!
With our focus on innovation, inclusivity, and excellence, we’re confident that GuruQ will continue to grow and evolve, serving the tutoring needs of students in India and beyond.
What were the most difficult times that you had in your startup journey? How did you get over them?
I can say that COVID-19 was one of the most difficult times that we faced in our startup journey. The pandemic had a significant impact on the education sector, and GuruQ was no exception. However, we saw this setback as an opportunity to improve and adapt our business model to the changing landscape.
Before the pandemic, GuruQ was limited to providing offline tutoring services. But when COVID hit, we had to pivot to only online tutoring to continue serving our students. Luckily we were always equipped to be a Hybrid platform so we adapted to the new normal rather quickly.
And the results were outstanding. With online tutoring, our reach became limitless, and we were able to connect students with the best tutors from across the country.
The positive response from our students and the support from our tutors gave us the motivation to continue despite the challenges. Every startup faces difficulties, but at GuruQ, we believe that challenges can pave the way for bigger and better things.
It taught us that we can be resilient in the face of adversity and gave us the confidence to take on new challenges in the future.
What motivates you to work every day for GuruQ?
As the founder of GuruQ, what motivates me every day is the positive impact we have on students and tutors. Seeing students who were struggling in a particular subject or with their academic performance improve their grades and gain confidence through our platform is incredibly rewarding.
I am also motivated by the opportunity to create meaningful employment opportunities for tutors, who often have valuable skills and knowledge to share but may not have a platform to connect with students. By connecting tutors and students, we’re not only helping students learn but also empowering tutors to share their knowledge and earn a living doing what they love.
The edtech industry is always changing, and that keeps our team energized and excited to innovate and improve. We’re constantly looking for new ways to meet the needs of our users.
Overall, I love what we do at GuruQ and am grateful to work towards a mission that helps students and tutors achieve their full potential.
How are entrepreneurship and working women important for India as a whole?
As an entrepreneur and working woman in India, I strongly believe that entrepreneurship and women’s participation in the workforce is crucial for the country’s development and growth.
Women entrepreneurs bring diverse perspectives, innovation, and creativity to the table. Studies have also shown that women-owned businesses have a positive impact on the economy, as they tend to create more jobs and contribute to the growth of local communities.
In addition, when more women are working and contributing to the economy, it improves the economic well-being of families. It can also help to break down gender stereotypes and promote gender equality, which is essential for creating a more just and equitable society.
Overall, I believe that promoting entrepreneurship and increasing women’s participation in the workforce is critical for India’s future. By empowering women to start and grow their own businesses, we can create a more inclusive, prosperous, and equitable society for all.
What advice would you give to women who want to start a business?
Starting your own business can be a thrilling and rewarding experience, but it takes hard work and dedication to make it a success. My advice to women who want to start their own business is this:
Commit and work hard. While there are people who can help you along the way, no one else is going to do it for you. There’s no substitute for hard work, so give it your all.
If you feel the urge to start something, don’t wait for permission because it will never come. Don’t fall into this trap. The only permission you need is from yourself. Find your “why” – the reason that fuels you every day, and use that to drive you forward.
When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. The key to success is to keep pushing forward, even when things get difficult. Don’t quit too soon, and always keep one foot grounded in the present while the other is focused on what’s possible. With hard work, dedication, and perseverance, anything is possible.
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.
