At BrilliantRead Media, our aim is to bring to our community some of the finest stories from the startup ecosystem. As part of this endeavour, we invited a passionate entrepreneur – Sayali Tate for an exclusive interview with us. She is an Entrepreneur, Leader, Designer, Consultant, and Mentor. Sayali is the Founder and Director at SenseBite Design StudioJ Pvt Ltd. Let’s learn more about her exciting journey, her background and her advice for our growing community.
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Sayali:
Talk us through your background and your journey as a woman entrepreneur, please?
Being born as a woman is a blessing. Having the freedom to follow your dream as a woman is a luxury (for the majority of us). For me, I can say this luxury aligned into a necessity.
I was born in a typical middle-class family where life is very sorted, contained, and simple. It was just the 4 of us – my mom, dad, me, and my little sister. My father worked as a government employee, whereas my mother had a small clothing shop which she would run for supporting the family income. Our future plans were also preset.
Like in most middle-class households once we finished our studies we were to do a 9 to 5 desk job. We lost our father when I was 11 years old. This incident changed our lives. My Mother stood by us and supported us. She was a strong pillar of courage and joined my father’s office in his position.”
So you see from a very small age we learnt about responsibility, money and facing hardships with the best of our strength. In fact, I vividly remember the times when my mother used to lock me and my sister in the house during vacation times and then go to the office. I did my schooling from Jain Girls High School. I was brilliant at studies however I did not like to study. I was also very good at arts and crafts.
During my time in school, I won many art competitions, which was a big boost of confidence, for the budding artist in me. So I decided that I would not pursue a career in core Academics but follow my passion in drawing and crafts.
I enrolled in Abhinav College of Fine Arts for a degree in commercial arts. I finished my degree of 5 years from Pune, however, I had no clue of what I was supposed to do after finishing this degree.
I did not have a solid plan. I really wanted to help my mother with the finances so I immediately took up a 9 to 5 job.
A couple of years into my job I realised that this is not working for me anymore. I was not enjoying what I was doing. So, I quit my job and decided to start something of my own. I took the leap of faith and started Sensebite. It was a very exciting yet subtly intimidating start for me.”
However, I had faith in my hard work and I always made the most of every opportunity. Slowly I started getting work from my close family and friends and that is how it all began. I started with all the legal proceedings like registration, VAT TIN, corporate identity, etc.
Not far along in this journey, when I got a big opportunity from a multinational company. I designed a diary for them. It was a small job but it was definitely a very big opportunity for me. It built up my confidence, inspired me and gave me the strength to dream bigger.
Honestly, there was no looking back after that. Clients and work continued flowing in and growing. Slowly but steadily I was making my way towards my dreams.
Delivering quality work, coming up with trendy, inspiring, and unique ideas, serving the client with our creative best and a positive attitude have been the core factors for the growth and success of Sensebite.
What attracts you towards Entrepreneurship Instead of a corporate career?
While I was in college I never thought that I would start something of my own. But like they say inspiration can happen at any point.
It just struck me one night that I need to do something revolutionary, to make a difference, to create an identity of my own.”
My passion for creativity, design and craft is what inspired me further to become an entrepreneur.
‘Sensebite Design Studio’ 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?
So basically being a creative mind, I really wanted the name of my design studio to be something very quirky, unique and creative.
The name just flashed through my mind. It clicked instantly and I decided, yes this is what I’m going to name my very own studio.
At Sensebite, we provide complete solutions for advertising. We have a full spectrum in-house unit that caters to graphics designing animation, videography, photography digital marketing, content creation, print solutions, etc.
What does your company specialize in?
At Sensebite, we provide strategic solutions, delivered brilliantly to help businesses and people flourish and achieve their goals.
During this covid 19 crisis, what are the solutions you have undertaken to continue your business without disruption?
The pandemic has definitely affected all businesses. With Sensebite, we were almost at half the capacity of work during Covid. However, I learnt to stay calm and stable and took small but steady steps towards increasing client base and work inflow.
During this time, I micromanaged marketing and streamlined processes for smooth and better work. Keeping my team motivated has also helped us stay afloat during these tough times.”
We’re slowly getting back to routine and now my team is finally getting the true reward for their hard work.
How do you manage to keep going despite the challenges? What drives you?
I look at challenges as opportunities to grow. Going through the tough and growing in competition is what strengthens me. I build up new ways to crack them and explore creative ways to rise through them. Challenges stimulate my curiosity and fuel my mind to just get it done!
What are the 3 most important lessons you have learned while building your startup?
(1) Organization is key. Don’t get worked up. Organise your work and goals.
(2) Find the right balance of hard work and smart work.
(3) Be unique, be the best version of yourself.
Who do you believe has been your biggest source of motivation in your life?
I must say it is not just one but many people around me that motivate me to conquer any obstacles and move ahead with my best. To begin with, when my 4-year-old son waves to me before I leave for work when his sparkling eyes wish me to have a good day, to do well and have fun I am inspired the most.
My mother, my sister and especially my husband who takes care of the house when I am not around, are my biggest strength. My team – it is their hard work that makes me who I am today.
My well-wishers and my friends – when they say they are so proud of me, that creates another level of motivation to work hard and achieve more.
Given the rapid pace at which the world is changing what are the leadership traits that are necessary for success?
Leadership is not about walking ahead of people it is about walking alongside them.
I believe it is very important to understand people to be a good leader. Taking the best out of people for their success and growth can make a great leader.
If people grow personally, they also grow as a team, when your team grows – your company also grows towards unity, success and prosperity.”
What are some of the strategies that you believe have helped you grow as a person?
Growing up, setting up my own business, and supporting my family have all been big influences on what I am today.
Daily affirmations, journaling, making a to-do list every morning, setting small goals, and then reaching towards the bigger ones, have shaped me to be the best version of myself.
I believe in communicating with people and trying to understand their perspectives, expectations etc. This makes me humble and expands my thinking.
In your opinion what are the keys to success?
Success is not a one-day activity it is a daily practice. We should learn something new every day even if it is the smallest of things.
This way when you wake up every day in the morning you are a better version of yourself.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
The reality of success, and the path to achieving success, are very different from what they are imagined to be or portrayed.
It is not like a Bollywood movie wherein one song you become a millionaire.
Set goals, build discipline and good habits and chase your goals with hard work.
Most important of all, take every setback as a lesson to step ahead and rise high.
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.
