Standing tall in the face of adversity, Anupama Tej is now a successful entrepreneur

Anupama Tej's journey from an oppressed girl fighting social evils to an investment and expansion strategist at Tinystep harbours that, education is that torch that lights up even the darkest of lives. She defines the firm's vision, supervises the hiring of senior executives, aligns the entire team and maximises the profitability of Tinystep.

Her mom, an early bride, was deprived of rightful knowledge. She wasn't allowed to attend college or follow her passion. An impregnable mother with invincible determination, she pledged to fight all societal odds and make her daughters independent. She frequently apprised them of the significance of education as an essential tool to manage and change their future. And hence, a nascent and terrific entrepreneur was born.

Here is how she portrays a picture of her journey:

Biggest Challenge:

I grew up in a small town called Shimoga. Born in a conservative patriarchal family, be it education or health, I have seen mammoth gender disparity that coerces girls to drop out of institutions, marry and bear children. Due to my mother's financial dependence and struggles, I was sent to a school with minimal teachers and facilities. It had broken ceilings, no benches and basic education seemed like a privilege. My mother, despite all her battles, emphasised on the importance of knowledge and education for girls, repeatedly. She imbued the prominence of independence within us.

Impact of Covid-19 pandemic

Being a digital platform, the impact of the pandemic on our business was negligible as compared to other SMEs. During the initial months, we had to ensure that we keep our overhead costs minimum as brands had to cut down on their advertising expenses and budget. However, the situation has improved in the past few months.

My advice to all aspiring small business owners:

1) Don't be afraid to fail or make mistakes.

As an entrepreneur in a niche market, I gained a lot by trying versatile ideas. Some weren't even backed up by data or logic but, by instinct. At Tinystep, I had the opportunity to attempt several endeavours and learn.

Try many ideas, don't be scared to fail, learn and quickly move on.

2) Seek for help and you shall find it.

In a start, it can get overwhelming to multitask and handle diverse things at once. You are not expected to know all of it, hence, be brave and reach out to the right sources in order to seek help. Ask for aid from your team, friends, even competitors and basically anyone, who you might feel, knows better. I have reached out to people on LinkedIn unabashedly and requested for short calls. It mostly worked out.

3) Everyone needs a mentor.

From the very beginning of my journey, I had great mentors who guided me and pushed me to become finer. Getting a mentor, who would not only assist you in developing a business plan but also push you to get past your comfort zone. They will be your well-wishers and will act as a guiding force, understanding your strengths and openly pinpointing your weaknesses.

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