Interview Times had a great conversation with one of the budding entrepreneurs of Odisha, Sai Krishna. She talked about her love for the environment, her initial hiccups while founding her own organization, and her success story so far. This is how the interview went-
Can you brief us about yourself to our readers?
Hello everyone. My name is Sai Krishna. I lived in Bhubaneswar and persuaded my MBA in the capital city of Odisha only. I used to be an employee at several companies such as Club Mahindra and ARSS. I worked as an employee for six years before me and my husband established Solar Infra in 2016.
Our organization deals with all kinds of solar products. My first project was to supply solar vehicles to the forest department of the government of Odisha. We tried to implement renewable energy in Orissa, starting with Bhubaneswar and Puri.
Initially, it was tough for us to adapt to the new Solar technology. We also got rejected many times by various organizations due to their lack of knowledge and experience. It was also a challenge for me to make a mark in a male-dominated field of work.
Sai, as you mentioned, you belong to the MBA field; what made you open to solar energy as it belongs to the technical field?
My first job was in the renewal products industry. It made me open to the idea of doing something myself in the same sector. I am an environmentalist, and it gives me immense pleasure to be working to save the environment by unfurling new environmentally safe solar products.
What are the initial challenges you faced while setting up your industry?
As mentioned earlier, there were a lot of initial hiccups during the initial days of my entrepreneur career. Many people were not in approval of new methods of solar power generation due to lack of awareness, so the sales of our products were meager. Initially, I had a lot of funding issues; banks refused to give me a loan because of my lack of experience; start-up Orissa was also no help either; they continuously rejected my proposals for various reasons, so I had to mortgage my gold and jewels to establish my company. Also, as I mentioned, I had to consult many technical experts to help me with the products as I am from an MBA background and had very meager knowledge about the technical work at that point in time.
Who has been the greatest inspiration in your life?
I am inspired by Barack Obama; his determination, the way he built himself up from nothing to the president of one of the most prominent countries in the world is truly astonishing and admirable. Aside from that, as a person, I look up to Ms. Supriti Pattnaik and get inspiration from her helpful and down-to-earth nature. My family and my husband have also motivated me to build this company from the ground, and I am truly grateful
How has your journey with your organization been so far?
It has been a great learning experience so far. There have been a few hurdles, but there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel. I am genuinely grateful for my family, who have helped me build his company.
What has your most significant achievement been so far as a managing partner of Solar Infra?
In the beginning, I used to run my business from my home, I didn’t have a professional working environment. My company is now connected to several organizations and government schemes. I have good employee strength. So these are my small accomplishments that have made a bigger picture.
What was your initial turnover, and how much is it today?
My initial turnover was 450000, and today I am proud to announce that I have achieved a 10X growth in the market.
Any future plans for your organization?
Yes, of course, I hope to diversify my organization and grow my company gradually.
How was your company affected during the lockdown and the pandemic?
Of course, all companies have been affected by the ongoing pandemic. The sales of our products have suffered. However, we have managed to keep our heads above water.
How do you see the future for the utilization of renewable sources of energy in Odisha?
The utilization of renewable sources of energy in Odisha is very poor. Therefore, the government should take action to introduce solar power products in Eastern India. But I am optimistic that there will be changes in the future regarding renewable energy sources.
Any piece of advice to the young entrepreneurs?
I would advise them to stay focused, have patience, do hard work. And many organizations could help them financially. It is an arduous journey, and there will be hurdles on the road, but it’ll be worth it in the end.
