If you're a young entrepreneur looking for inspiration to start your own company, look no further than today's interview with Urvesh Vasani. As the founder of Six Inch Nails Group — at the ripe old age of 13 — Urvesh proved that age doesn't have to be a factor in whether or not you succeed. Now 15, he's on his way to building a publishing and music empire, and he's not letting anything stand in his way.
How has he done it? In the interview below, you'll get a feel for Urvesh's personality, drive, and determination. If you have any doubts that a teenage entrepreneur can be taken seriously and achieve their dreams, his story should assure you that it's all up to the individual — regardless of age.
You’re the founder of Six Inch Nails Group, which includes Six Inch Nails Records and Six Inch Nails Publishing. What are your plans for the future for these entities and any others you plan to add?
My future plans include expansion of current entities in various directions such as revenue, employees, branches and sales. Yes, I do plan to add more. We plan to expand in various fields like entertainment, technologies, graphics, etc.
Has your age ever been a disadvantage in your businesses? If so, how do you deal with that? If not, has it helped you, and how?
Being an entrepreneur at this age, has both pros and cons. The best part about it is that there is less risk involved. Because, if my business doesn't do well, the worst thing could be that the next day I wake up and go to school. I try and keep my risks as low as possible, observing lean production methods. I also get quite a lot of support from the elders in my family. Wherever I fall short I have someone as back up. Â Plus I also have my education with me, so there is not a lot of risk involved. This has made it easier to take business decisions.
However, there are also disadvantages to it. I cannot devote my full time to the business as I have school, homework, and other things to manage along with Six Inch Nails. I cannot go to every big show that's happening in the country to promote my record label's music, as I can't miss school, plus I wouldn't be able to travel alone anywhere out of town. Also, the people I deal with sometimes hesitate at the first time when they come to know about my age, but after they hear me talking and what I have to offer, their confidence slowly but surely increases.
As a teen entrepreneur, do you feel like you gave up a lot of what it means to be a teen? Would you do it all again?
To be honest, I haven't given up anything. I feel I am enjoying my teenage years more than anyone else! I am doing what I like, and it's not a total waste — what could be better? Apart from entrepreneurship, I am also doing lots of other things that every teen does. Be it playing sports, or partying with friends — I feel I haven't given up anything.
What three pieces of advice do you have for young entrepreneurs interested in starting their first business?
There isn't much advice I can give, as I feel you need to take things the way they come to you. However, there are some things that I have really learnt as an entrepreneur:
1)Â Don't be afraid — as I said, the worst thing that could happen to you is that you wake up the next morning and go to school. However, that doesn't mean you take decisions without giving it enough thought.
2)Â Learning never ends — all my time being an entrepreneur, I have been learning new things. This attitude, according to me should get you where you want to be.
3)Â Never give up — there have been a lot of times when things didn't work out for me. There have been times like this in almost every entrepreneurs life, be it me or Richard Branson. Everyone faces problems, giving up would make the chances of the problem being solved go down to zero, keep trying, most of the times you would find your way around.
How do you personally define success?
Success can be defined in 2 ways: monetary success and personal success.
Monetary success, of course is very important today. It would help me achieve my goals in whatever I do.
Personal success is the feeling you get of a job well done. It's also appropriate use of my talent, credibility, and learning and mastering new things.
In all, success is when you feel that you've become what you always wanted to be.
