Understandings during the entrepreneurial journey – 1
As I look back to 2014, that was the year my journey as an entrepreneur began. It felt like a tiny seed of a dream planted in my mind, germinating with the ambition of building something of my own. Everywhere I turned, the world seemed brimming with possibilities, especially in the realm of web design and development. Startups were popping up left and right, each one eager to leave its mark in this bustling industry.
As I set out on my entrepreneurial adventure, I found myself immersed in a world filled with creativity and innovation. It was akin to stepping into a vibrant marketplace, where every nook held the promise of something new and exciting. And amidst it all, I knew I had found my calling – to carve out my own path in the ever-evolving landscape of web design and development.
With a burning desire to start a web development company, I devoted my efforts to understanding the intricacies of the process. I delved into the steps involved in creating and launching a website, familiarizing myself with the tools and services developers utilize along the way. Despite the doubts and uncertainties that occasionally crept in, I remained steadfast in my determination, steadily acquiring the knowledge required to transform my dream into reality.
It was during this exploration that I stumbled upon my keen interest in the process of launching websites, particularly the crucial aspect of making them live. This realization sparked a fascination within me – the significance of web hosting and server solutions. With just Rs. 1000 from my father, I embarked on a bold venture (Hostmargin.com). I began ordering reseller hosting from other providers, laying the groundwork for my own journey in the web hosting industry by offering shared spaces to clients.
It wasn’t easy, navigating the challenges of starting a business from scratch. There were moments of uncertainty and setbacks, but each obstacle served as a lesson, fueling my determination to press forward. Slowly but surely, my fledgling venture began to take shape, gaining momentum as I honed my skills and expanded my offerings.
Looking back now, I realize that those early days were instrumental in shaping the course of my entrepreneurial journey. They instilled in me a resilience and tenacity that would prove invaluable as I navigated the twists and turns of building a business. And while the road ahead may still be fraught with challenges, I am filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation for the adventures that lie ahead. For in the ever-evolving world of web design and development, the possibilities are endless, and I am eager to continue forging my path forward.
It took nearly two years for me to secure my first order from the public. During that time, I relied on providing hosting services through my own freelance developments to sustain my business.
For several months, everything seemed to be progressing smoothly. I upgraded from reseller hosting to VPS and eventually to bare metal servers, expanding my capabilities along the way. However, financial constraints arose as I struggled to manage the expenses associated with maintaining the servers. This, coupled with the increasing demands of my studies, began to take a toll on me.
With mounting pressure from my family to prioritize my education and alleviate financial burdens, I reluctantly made the decision to outsource hostmargin to another company until I completed my course.
Just two weeks after signing the contract with the other company, Hostmargin suddenly received a massive order that completely transformed its trajectory. However, the twist in the tale was that I wouldn’t be able to reap any profits from Hostmargin, as the service had been outsourced to another firm. All the profits generated from the platform were being claimed by the outsourcing company.
Following the contract, I regained access to Hostmargin and embarked on the journey once more.
Everything was going smoothly without any hiccups. I found myself in a financially stable position, poised to cover all expenses and handle any unexpected issues that arose. By the end of 2022, Hostmargin boasted over 800 active customers. Meanwhile, I successfully completed my post-graduation studies.