In our relentless pursuit to identify and share with our community some of the unique and compelling startup stories from the ecosystem, this week we spoke to Team PortraitFlip to understand more about their journey, their vision and the way forward. But first, more about PortraitFlip. It is a Pune-based startup which gives people a chance to convert their loved photos into treasured paintings. Let’s read their unique story!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with the Team:
We are aware of your contribution to the ecosystem, tell us a little bit about your startup and the problems you guys are solving, please;
PortraitFlip is an E-Commerce that makes Handmade Paintings from photos. While we were at the core of deciding how to go about a picture-perfect startup idea, we realized that there was an existing gap between artists and art-lovers.
We often saw that master artist had to give up on their passion and compromise with a corporate job just to earn a living yet there were so many people that appreciated art.”
PortraitFlip built a rock-solid foundation in this gap and became the bridge between absolutely talented artists and aesthetes.
Though 100% customer satisfaction tops our list of priority, our vision is to support and promote all the unknown artists of the world.
‘PortraitFlip’ 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 with the help of your startup?
A business name should be such that it hits the right cords of the potential customer. They will either remember it or not. If asked, one word that explained our business in its entirety was PortraitFlip – we Flip Portraits into Handmade Painting. I believe, it has never given the wrong impression to anybody.
PortraitFlip was the need of the hour. What a waste it would be to see a craftsman working as a salesman. Being forced to something that isn’t a person’s forte just because his calling pays peanuts isn’t fair.
PortraitFlip is supporting more than 190 artists across the globe, and we can proudly say that our artists earn a decent amount to lead a life of respect, leisure and satisfaction, of course.”
During COVID-19 crisis, what are the measures you have undertaken to continue your business without disruption?
It would be wrong to say that COVID-19 did not affect us at all, but we are blessed that it was not worse. I feel every threat is only a cause of concern when you think it to be a threat.
Since it was a worldwide lockdown, most of the people shifted to online shopping that accelerated our sales. However, due to cross border shipping issues, our orders were stuck.
What COVID-19 also gave us was an ample amount of time to chalk down a sought-out strategy for the year to come. We started working on all the pending offline concerns that needed attention – heavily practising SEO, increasing our social presence, working on our website interface and all the other little things that we’re calling for action.
I must say that all the digital marketing practises that we learnt and worked upon during COVID-19 is bringing us major sales in 2021.
How do you manage to keep going despite the challenges? What drives the team?
Challenges in a business are like the chocolate filling in a croissant. It just makes the taste better. We personally feel that the growth of a business is directly proportional to the challenges faced and resolved by it. Without hurdles, life is just a consistent bit of waking up and going back to sleep.
If you call something yours make sure you master it first and establish yourself as the only best player in town. One thing that has always bulldozed me is the fear of being average. I thrive to be a better version of myself, and I believe that the only person standing between you and the golden door is your state of mind. The day you tame your mind, you can be whatever you want to be.”
I am not really sure what motivates them but I am charmed to have a team of players who are so self-motivated and responsible. I have never felt the need to closely monitor them. Over years they have created a healthy environment for each other and carry a very young and energetic vibe along.
They are little entrepreneurs in themselves, each one of them carries a versatile personality that is eager to learn and grow. I can safely say that they are one of the many reasons why I can sleep peacefully at night.
What has worked well for you so far?
A pacific mind. It is important to keep calm and it has worked wonders for me. We often lose our mind and end up doing things that could have been handled in slightly better form. A tranquil and sane mind always takes the right decision.
Well, I also feel that having a perspective and opinion on things, be it right or wrong, is the core of existence. It is pivotal to make a valuable presence felt. We have worked well enough to take PortraitFlip to a point where its presence has started adding value to people’s life.
One thing that has benefitted the growth of the company is hiring and firing at the right time. You need to know that as an entrepreneur you cannot do everything. Hire an expert when you need one because he knows what he is doing. As an entrepreneur, you should also be steadily aware of elements that are caught in the wrong space. Fire them, you will do a favour on both your firm and them.
What is one strategy that you guys believe has helped you grow as a team/startup?
There is nothing called a perfect product. But there always a perfect-artisan.
One thing that majorly helped our team grow was the belief that we need to be the master of our work. Instead of being average in everything, be an expert in your field.
I have a team of players – who are the best of what they do, and they are never tired of learning.
Hire somebody who has the will to become the captain of his ship, and you as his mentor, give him the authority to stir.
In your opinion, what is more necessary: An idea or a good team for a successful startup?
How can an idea exist without a good team? How can a good team exist if there is no idea to drive them?
An idea and a good team together make a startup, with challenges being the sprinkles on the sundae.
If you look around, you will see so many great ideas locked in a garage just because they do not have the right people around, while there are so many great teams going down the sink because they lack a successful idea.
One cannot exist without the other. I don’t think this question is meant for me to answer for these are two different things that although has the power to influence each other, can never be compared really.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
5 things that I firmly believe and advice on:
1 – You don’t have to keep your start-up a secret. I have often seen budding entrepreneurs being secretive about their idea. No! You have to speak out. How do you think will you advertise it if the word is not out? Half of them will forget, half of them will not care – the rest may try to steal it but it is always the survival of the fittest. If you take the right decision at the right time, with a strong vision, nobody can stop you.
Food apps started with Swiggy, Uber, FoodPanda, Zomato but who is ruling?
It is okay if people steal your idea but you got to keep going as long as you have a strong will to conquer.
2 – You cannot do everything. Hiring the right candidate for the right job is vital.
3 – Outsourcing can be of great help. You don’t have to hire people all the time. Outsource whatever you can instead of hiring.
4 – Understanding the tricks of fund management is essential. Most of the entrepreneurs today spend so much on unnecessary things – buying an expensive gadget, spending on cars; Is it helping the business grow? No! Spend where you have to – in the growth.
5 – Learn the art of saying no. Saying no to a friend who is calling you for a trip, saying no to wasting your time when no one is watching, saying no to anything that does not benefit you, or your growth.
I guess, these 5 things and you are pretty good to start with!
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.
