ARDENT TRAVELLERS ORGANIZE SOLO TRAVELLERS MEETUP FOR HIPPIE SOULS | TRAVEL. REPEAT. INSPIRE.
Entrepreneurs are willing to believe in their vision more than others, refusing to conform with societal rules and traditional business approaches. Entrepreneurship is not about money; it’s about your idea, your courage and your dedication. Being an entrepreneur is never tedious and unexciting.
Today we are proud to present travel freak entrepreneurs in our magazine- Mr Bhavin Bhavsar & Mr Krunal Soni. Their venture Solo Travellers Meetup inspires people to take solo trips. They travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape them.
These two rovers commenced this venture in Ahmedabad by sharing their experiences and hilarious & crazy incidences to each other once they land home. They believe that the journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. Hence, created a Facebook event supported by their own vagabond spirit and empiricism to see the response. Hence, the venture breathed for the first time.
They harbour on the secluded idea of inspiring people with adventurous stories of solo travellers and meetups. They have received an incredible response from the people. Subsequently, the best thing they do have the capacity to self–fund and their ideas are wonderful.
And the world is a book and those who don’t travel read only one page, so let’s go and read the whole book with the experience.
1. What is the Name of Your Venture? Any specific reason for this name?
Solo Travellers Meetup
Reason: So, we didn’t get into the launch of a series of questions and suggestions on the venture’s name. Narrowed down on a simple & straight name catering our sole purpose of organizing solo travellers meet and sharing their journeys
2. Who are your target Audience/clients?
Solo Travellers and Aspirants
3. Where is your venture based (city, state, country) & what are your geographical target areas?
We are based out in Ahmedabad, but we organize meetups in different cities of India and also share solo travelling stories and experiences from all around the world. Basically, we’re growing….
4. What problems does your venture resolve? What are your products or services?
We neither sell nor resolve any woes and problems. We harbour on the solitary idea of inspiring people with adventurous stories of solo travellers and meetups.
5. Share the idea or story behind the venture. How did it come to an existence? What motivated you to start your own venture?
I and my partner Krunal used to and still traverse foreign and Indian landscapes solo. We used to share our experiences and hilarious & crazy incidences to each other once we land home. One day, we planned and created an event – Solo Travellers Meetup. What we realized that there were people have amazing stories, experiences and there were a large number of solo women travellers in the city. Hence, the venture breathed for the first time…
6. Who are your biggest competitors and how do you differentiate yourself from them?
Competitors, um…. none but stalkers are a hell lot. It is absolutely an imperative concept. Most of our own screams are different in every meetup and stories. So when folks copied or made an attempt, they couldn’t fathom and had failed miserably.
7. How did you identify your co-founder? Tell us something about your co-founder/s
As mentioned above, there is only one co-founder – Mr Krunal Soni. We’re Digital Marketing connoisseurs and have been actively venturing together for last 12 years in Ahmedabad. We’ve organized 10+ digital marketing meetups in Ahmedabad. Krunal usually defines the strategy for meetups while Bhavin is the mastermind behind the stories, event themes and speakers. There are 3 to 4 active volunteers who have joined this venture in helping in administration, photography and other operations.
8. How did you hire your first team member? What skills do you want in your employees/team?
We’re hiring any team members who can comprehend our concept and are travellers as well. Our concept is all about meetups and solo travel stories. People do join our community as volunteers and trust me they work better than the team members. What they want is that we keep doing this (meetups), that’s it. They absolutely enjoy the vibes and our company.
9. What expansion plans are you looking for the next 2 years, next 5 years?
We’re planning 50+ meetups in a year and 200+ stories within the next 2 years, and even 30% growth in the target in the next 5 years. Also, we are planning to alliance with companies like MMT, Yatra, Wildcraft, etc. to backbone our meetups. Let’s see… finger crossed.
10. Where do you want to see yourself in next 10 years?
We’re going to organize our first international event this December in Singapore. We’re planning to reach many other countries and indulge in solo travelling simultaneously. In the next 10 years, we’re expecting our presence in more than 30 countries.
11. What are your goals over the next 1, 3, 6 and 12 months?
Meetups, more and more meetups! Our core goal is to organize at least 5 meetups in a quarter.
12. Have you raised any funds? Or have any plans for the funding?
Till now all the meetups, we’ve organized are self-funded and we do have the capacity for next 6 months. But we are looking forward to meeting investors who can join as active partners and share his/her own ideas along with funds (of course).
13. What were the problems you faced during the starting days and how did you resolve them?
To be honest, finding the right venue is always a challenge. We want people who are attending the event, they must enjoy without any hassle. So we are very particular especially about selecting the venue and of course mikes.
14. What was the most challenging part of your journey till now? How did you overcome those challenges?
We haven’t faced any major challenges so far. But yes, self-funding is by default a challenge, but there are brands that are getting associated with us, so they come up as sponsors.
15. Are you married, single or in a relationship?
Married, happily married!
16. If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
I shall commence all over with travellers or at least their vibes around me. Travellers are optimistic, raw and their energy is infectious.
17. What are your hobbies? What do you do in your no-work time?
Travelling & only travelling
18. What’s your favourite food & holiday destination?
I prefer Indian cuisine and holidaying in China.
19. Whom do you consider your idol or biggest motivator?
I believe that I’m my own biggest motivator, mostly because I believe in myself.
20. What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
Entrepreneurs have an independent streak and a higher risk appetite than those working for others. Also, entrepreneurs are willing to believe in their vision more than others, refusing to conform with societal rules and business approaches. They usually make their own way better than those who are working under others.
21. How has being an entrepreneur affected your family & social life?
By being an entrepreneur, the work hours have been longer, but certainly more fulfilling. Also, I get the freedom to decide when to work, thus helping me and my family to plan well ahead.
22. Anything, you would like to say to our readers or upcoming entrepreneurs?
I just want to encourage upcoming entrepreneurs to keep believing in themselves and their vision before taking the plunge.
23. Tell us something about your education & family background.
My education is in a different stream and doesn’t define what I do now. I belong to a middle-class family, which believes in traditions. My family, especially my wife and my child have been very understanding of my work life and business tours.
24. What is your USP which makes it unique & different from other startups in similar domains?
The aggressive delivery and result-oriented approach through digital marketing are what attract my patrons most.
25. What do you think is the biggest threat to the success of small businesses & startups today?
I think the oversaturation of small businesses and similar ideas is making the market crowded. Those with innovative ideas lack the passion and the investment to go the long haul. A balanced approach in pulling in funds and a sizeable vision of success are required.
26. Do you consider yourself successful and by what means do you measure success?
I consider success to be synonymous with the client’s satisfaction. My firm’s client retention potential is a major mark of success for me. And my 99% client retention rate indicates my success.
27. Kindly share your contact details
Bhavin Bhavsar
M: +919825063664
W www.solotravellersmeetup.com
E: [email protected]
