“No matter who you are, no matter where you belong to. You have your present, you have a chance to dream big and make it big. Do not lose that opportunity to at least give it a try. Who knows what comes along your way?” says Sonali, founder of Content Bank.
We recently had a conversation with Sonali Sharma when she made it to Femmetimes 30 under 30 list of all India aspiring women entrepreneurs. She is an author and a businesswoman. Quite young and dynamite by personality, she shares some interesting insight about her experience from being a freelancer to a businesswoman.
Being from a non business background, what made you choose business over job?
Well, I don’t think the background matters. Your vision for your future and purpose makes you decide what you really want to do. Yes, there were a few moments that made me realise I am not a job person. I wanted a free space to work on my ideas, freedom to work from anywhere and anytime. I did not want to limit myself in the four corners of cubicles and follow a typical pattern. Freedom is what I look forward to, freedom to work independently made me choose it. HaHa…hope that justifies the answer to the question.
You are quite young. Have you ever been questioned about your age while dealing with clients/business deals? How do you deal with it?
Hehe, people call me “choti bacchi ho kya?” Age is just a number, I say! What has age and height to do with my work? There are people younger than me, who are nailing it! I have done nothing yet. There is so much more to learn and explore.
How do you respond to trolls, hate and jealousy?
Criticism that is not meant for your growth and improvement should be avoided. I think it’s a matter of self awareness here. First you need to figure out whether that criticism or comment, though negative, will it help you in improving? About hate and jealousy? No matter what you do, some people will still keep throwing judgement and hate, the only place in the room for them is ignorance, according to me. I don’t react nor do I worry about what they say about me or my work.
Business drives freedom, do you think money making is the only freedom? How much time did it take to make it to 6 figures?
Money is just a part of your business. The real freedom is the wealth and the process that you are creating. You are creating something of your own, that inspires people, that drives solutions to their problems. It appeals to people that business is fancy, it is easy, you can take vacation whenever you want, etc. The reality is the opposite. No one talks about the dark side. You end up working 24×7, you push in all of your investments, you are trying out day and night, you fail multiple times. Then you set systems, this helps you work well. No one makes 6 figures on the first day, it takes time and patience. I made it around after 8-9 months of getting into freelancing then switching it to a full time business.
How tough does it get to handle a company, form a healthy work culture for your employees?
If you have a good team who understands your vision, the process becomes easy. As a founder or owner of your company, if you understand your employees’ expectations from the organisation, you consider their ideas and allow them the freedom to inculcate their own creativity, you trust them and help them grow.
There is always a debate going on around entrepreneurship and job, what do you think is the best?
I believe in the principle of “You do you”
I believe in the profession that you choose is the best or you work on making it the best for you. I have seen people who are doing jobs and are happy and content in life. I have seen people in business setting high standards. You have to make the best in whatever you do, be it job, business or freelancing.
Last but not the least, what message would you like to give to the youth out there?
Self faith. Have faith on your belief, have faith on your confidence, only this will lead you ahead and keep you strong at your rock bottom. Enjoy your failures as you dance on your success, and you will never have to look back in your life.
Hope you had a great time reading the interview. You can stay connected with Sonali across her socials, for more.
