Question: Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business. Please include what your business is all about, in which city you are located and if you have offices in multiple locations/ cities.
Answer: We are a wedding photography company based in Los Angeles, We have covered over 350 weddings in the USA, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East across 14 countries and many cultures.
Question: Kindly give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
Answer: Kanchan and Amit met while studying Animation in Filmmaking together in 2002. Both coming from very strong visual backgrounds, they immediately bonded over their shared love of capturing the world around them. Photography and Cinematography is what brought them together and what eventually led them into the Wedding industry, where they’ve made a name for themselves documenting Weddings together for over 10 years. ColorBlast now has a team of a very talented, dedicated and passionate set of visual artists from all over the World. We have been very lucky to find great artists and bring them together under one roof and have covered over 350 Destination Weddings all around the World.
Question: What inspired you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
Answer: The love for capturing emotions, moments and travel off course! Weddings just happened to us, from the first wedding we got through a planner who was looking for some new talent- We never planned that we would do so many weddings for so many years!
Question: What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
Answer: 1. Don’t stop learning, keep upgrading yourself, 2. Take marketing very seriously, 3. Always focus on your strength.
Question: What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Answer: 1. Time Management, 2. Every client is important, 3. Being flexible.
Question: How many hours do you work a day on average?
Answer: You are always working when you are doing your own thing. But it’s important to shut yourself too. I end up working at least 12 hours a day.
Question: To what do you most attribute your success?
Answer: In my case, I would say its consistency! Although I have always tried to better myself in every project.
Question: How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
Answer: Word of mouth is the most successful form for us. A Happy client gives you more than any other marketing. But yes at the same time, you can’t ignore Social networking websites and relationships with wedding planners.
Question: Where did your organization’s funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
Answer: Initially I was working 9-5 and also covering weddings. And would always put at least 30 % money earned from weddings back to the business- In new gears, web ads, workshops, software, etc. No, we down have any investors.
Question: What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Answer: Persistence, rest everything is overrated.
Question: Where you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
Answer: I would be more than happy if I keep doing 25-30 weddings a year and making my clients really happy! I would love to cover diff cultures and locations.
Question: Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
Answer: I admire anyone whose work has emotion and not just techniques. I like pure work and fewer filters/techniques/compositing.
Question: How important have good employees been to your success?
Answer: We have been very lucky to find great artists and bring them together under one roof. Indian weddings, which are really a huge affair and goes on for at least 2-3 days, it’s really important to have a team which has the same approach and who are always on their toes. Indian weddings are demanding! Our team has not hierarchy we all are friends and we really enjoy every project together.
Question: How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
Answer: Depends on many factors- But I think I would never give up for an idea I totally believe in. I might park it for a while but will always come back to it.
Question: What motivates you?
Answer: Appreciation and Money!
Question: What are your ideals?
Answer: Sachin Tendulkar- Cricketer! When you rule the game for decades and still be so humble!
Question: How do you generate new ideas?
Answer: I believe ideas come naturally but for that, you need to observe and examine everything around you 24/7.
Question: How do you define success?
Answer: When you aim something and achieve it! But you always keep aiming and try to achieve it, it’s a journey, you never reach the final destination, you keep achieving milestones!
Question: How do you build a successful customer base?
Answer: Honestly I don’t have any.
Question: What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Answer: Freedom! When to do what to do how to do- I’m free to choose that.
Question: What has been your most satisfying moment in business?.
Answer: Every-time doing final delivery I’m a little scared. One good reply/review from the client really makes me satisfied.
Question: What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
Answer: I have done both. Both have their positives and negatives, but I think you enjoy what you doing is the most important thing. Whether it’s your own company or someone else’ if you are enjoying you doing right!
Question: What kind of culture exists in your organization? How did you establish this tone and why did you institute this particular type of culture?
Answer: We all are friends sound cliche but that’s what it is. I and Kanchan studied animation together. We still live like roommates of a hostel. All the other team members are friends from over a decade. We all drink, smoke, fight, eat together!
Question: In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
Answer: I really don’t know the answer to that! I’m still in the middle of this journey!
Question: If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
Answer: I will really spend time and energy on website/marketing/relationships with planners.
Question: How has been an entrepreneur affected your family life?
Answer: There are good/bad/easy/hard days. But We try and enjoy all of that!
Question: What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?
Answer: I keep getting this dream where I reached an event without my camera gear!
Question: How did you decide on the location for your business?
Answer: Initially it was focusing Mumbai as I was there now its Los Angeles, I did not plan any of that!
Question: Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
Answer: Persistence! Rest everything is overrated!
Question: If you could talk to one person from history, who would it be and why?
Answer: I’m really interested in Indian History, maybe I want to meet Swami Vivekanand!
Question: Who has been your greatest inspiration?
Answer: Keeps changing- But I really enjoy Sam Hurd’s Wedding work.
Question: What book has inspired you the most? (OR what is your favorite book?)
Answer: I don’t read any.
Question: What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve made?
Answer: As told before, I would suggest everyone to take marketing seriously.
Question: What are your hobbies? What do you do in your non-work time?
Answer: I really enjoy street photography, am always doing that in my off time and learning about new editing styles and experimenting!
Question: What makes you happy?
Answer: Appreciation and money!
Question: What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?
Answer: Nothing 🙂