An interview with Mr. Subrat Kar, Co-Founder, Zootout.com
by Aeman Waghoo, Content Writer, BMS.co.in
If your sole motto is to earn money, then don’t jump for entrepreneurship. Your main aim should be to solve problems in market, fulfill the need of customers and make them happy, money will come automatically. Even people who had zero revenue in their venture, but earned a lot later. You can take an example of Instagram. If you have users/customers then I think you can make money out of it.
- Tell us something about yourself.
I am a first generation young entrepreneur; I started my entrepreneurial journey when I was in the second year of my engineering at IPS Academy, Indore. I belong to a very average middle class family in Orissa. I love to work in early stage technology ideas/startups. My expertise areas are product management, scaling up startup from idea stage to market, Web 2.0, Internet, E-commerce, and Online Sales & Marketing.
- Tell us something about your “Zootout.com”. How were you inspired to take up this entrepreneurship, its vision & current status?
I am not the one person behind the story of Zootout.com; we are three Co-founders including me. I was inspired to take up entrepreneurship as a career when I was in 11th Standard and during my engineering days I decided to start venture rather than joining any placement activities. The vision for Zootout is to become a leader as Food & Lifestyle Recommendation engine.
- What is your philosophy towards work?
Hard, Smart & Consistent work is necessary in a Startup. Entrepreneurs should work with their employees as a team member, not as a boss. This attitude has to be brought in all Startup ecosystems.
- “Management is core to every individual, organization & society.” Give your views on it.
Yes true. But it is not necessary to learn management in a B School and then apply these management skills in your company. Management skills can come automatically in your blood when you land in a practical world.
- Name 3 qualities of prime importance that an entrepreneur should possess.
I think Focus, Self Driven and Patience are the three things that an entrepreneur should possess. Other things can be learned. The live example is the Slideshare acquisition by LinkedIn.
- According to you, what are the challenges for Entrepreneurship today?
Building a good team, raising funds in early stage and sustaining the business are the challenges for today’s entrepreneurship.
- Can Entrepreneurship be taught in B-Schools/Management Institutes/Colleges?
Most of people claims that no. But my answer is yes. It can be taught in a different manner what Y-Combinator is doing in U.S. Why not any Indian B-School starts a one year program similar to Y-Combinator model where students will take admission through their Business plan /prototype and the B-School can support these candidates to develop their idea or prototype into real business (not placement support).
- “Is the Name of the Institute from where a student pursue his/her Graduation/Post Graduation or other courses important while setting up your business?
Name of Institute does not matter. If you have a kick ass idea or product then you can lead the world.
- “Earning more & more is the motive behind any business.” Is it justifiable?
If your sole motto is to earn money, then don’t jump for entrepreneurship. Your main aim should be to solve problems in market, fulfill the need of customers and make them happy, money will come automatically. Even people who had zero revenue in their venture, but earned a lot later. You can take an example of Instagram. If you have users/customers then I think you can make money out of it.
- Share with us the most enjoyable & most embarrassing moment you had experienced on work.
There are lot of things happened with me. Surely I will write a book on it. I think if I will share all these details, the length of this interview will go long 🙂
- What message would you like to give to the budding entrepreneurs?
Entrepreneurship is good, but before jumping on it, make sure that your family members should not suffer because of you. Seed capital is required to start a business. So if you don’t have that much then participate in B plan contests and win the prizes and invest on your idea.
Don’t give up if you fail in your first starting up. Start again and be focused.
Last thing is make sure that your parents and your girl friend are happy with your work.
- Your feedback for BMS.co.in?
BMS.co.in is a good initiative taken by Managementparadise.com. I wish all the best, hope more number of students will get benefits out of this platform.
COMPANY PROFILE
- History: Founded in Jan 2012, based out of Indore, currently operating in 13 cities of India
- Vision/Mission: To become the best destination of Food & lifestyle recommendation
- Products & Service: Food & Lifestyle Recommendation
- Future Plans: To expand sales presence in other cities of India
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