Entrepreneur Urvesh Vasani–founder of Six Inch Nails

Who says it takes years to become an entrepreneur. Do you? Do you think that you need at least 10 years of experience working in a company before you could wear the boots of an entrepreneur? Do you think it takes management courses or workshops that can snare your creativity and entrepreneurial knack. Well, here is something that you would like to know about. Urvesh Vasani, the young entrepreneur who started his journey pretty early. So early that he completed his 10th grade recently. He was only 13 when he started his venture and has now just turned to be 15.

Six Inch Nails Group is something that can startle an aspiring entrepreneur to shun away all the inhibitions and fling open the gate of its ingenuity like Urvesh did and became an inspiration for the young generation.

We had an email interview with Urvesh about his ventures and entrepreneurial journey.

Q1. It really looks astonishingly aspiring to have someone so young into entrepreneurship. How you got the idea of starting your venture, Six Inch Nails Group?

Thanks! Well, it all started in July 2009 when I used to play the guitar and write a little bit of music. When I had a few songs ready, I wanted to put it on a professional-looking CD and give it to my friends. Lack of awareness about the music business made me look up the Internet about record labels. However, I found the business to be so interesting that I got completely diverted from just making music to getting into the music business. That is when I got into research about record labels, read success stories of record label founders etc. Later in August 2009, my first business venture Six Inch Nails Records was born. And I’ve never got bored since then.

Q2. What about your studies and how do you manage it?

I recently finished my 10^th grade with the University of Cambridge International Examinations IGCSE and looking forward to continue with the same board for my A levels (Grade 11 and 12). Managing studies and the Six Inch Nails has never been an issue with me. In fact, I try and apply whatever I learn in Business Studies and Accounting at school. However, I give top priority to academics, Six Inch Nails is secondary. The business was at a halt during my board exams in October-November 2010, and I got back on it the same day my exams got over. For me it’s similar to playing or going out with friends, I do it when I’m not studying.

Q3. What about the family support and who else is involved in this project?

My family has been my greatest support. My mother is very encouraging and my father is always there, correcting me wherever I go wrong-whatever little investment I need at the moment, comes from him, which automatically makes him an interested party! My brother is also very supportive; he helps me out with some of the finance issues since he is a Chartered Accountancy student.

Q4. Tell us about how you help other artists to get their albums released. What’s the business side of this venture?

The artists send us a demo/proposal, and if we are interested the artists are signed on to the label and launch albums of their music sent to us. The production, marketing and distribution of music CDs, merchandise and other promotional products for bands/artists is handled by us. The commercial side of music is my responsibility.

Q5. Talking about metal music in India, what’s the scene and what’s there in future for artists and bands?

The Indian metal scene is growing slowly but steadily. There are a lot of bands coming up, and major international acts have toured India. Indian metal music is getting noticed, and if it maintains the same speed, the future for all bands looks very rewarding.

 

Q6. Tell us some experiences that you had in your venture?

All my time with Six Inch Nails has been memorable. There were funny moments, some were serious and some were very exciting ones. In the beginning we had a few problems since I was new to the business. There were a few production mistakes and I also had problem tackling logistics, however as time passed by I have improved a lot and the past 6 months have been just perfect.

Q7. Was it jittery to go so young into business and launch your own venture? What gave you the confidence to do it?

Well, I never felt very jittery to be honest; my teen exuberance helped me get rid of the fear factor. It was rather more exciting, and I gained my confidence by planning well to keep the risks & costs as low as I can but still try and generate good revenue; this was only possible after thinking over and over again and rechecking all my plans. The business was not started with a huge investment budget, it was all from scratch.

Q8. What future you envisage for the Six Inch Nails Group?

Growth of existing companies, maximizing revenue, launch of new companies and products, identifying where and what the demand is and diversifying my operations accordingly and most importantly providing the best quality service to customers – are and will always be my business objectives. With the support of my family, the help of my employees, I see a very prosperous future for the Six Inch Nails Group.

Q9. Are there some lessons that you learnt which might help you in the future as you move along?

Yes of course. Six Inch Nails has been a huge learning experience for me, I learn something new every day. How to tackle production faults, maintaining customers, keeping up to the quality, managing the finance and more was not something I was an expert at when I started off, but I have become better now and I’m still learning. Learning is an ongoing process, which is why I love what I do. There’s something new, everyday.

Q10. How was it that you thought to start your next venture? What made you go for publication?

Six Inch Nails Publications was recently launched in November 2010. I wouldn’t lie and say that I love reading; I just saw that there is a lot of scope in this business. News is never ending, and so is entertainment. I aim at converting popular websites to hard-copy publications, there is a lot of quality content on the web that the non-tech-savvy people are missing out on, publishing websites as magazines seemed like a great idea to me.

Q11. What all you do in Six Inch Nails Publications?

I sign deals with authors and popular websites to publish their content in a hard-copy, printed format. All the production, distribution and part of the marketing are my responsibility.

Q12. Tell us about your publication projects that you have undertaken till now?

Well it’s been just a month since I’ve launched Six Inch Nails Publications, so I haven’t got a lot of things going yet. However, I have the first magazine coming out in December 2010 by a Los Angeles based music website.

Q13. What in future-store for this project?

Putting out good quality publications, delivering my best, also moving towards comics, books and other publications if the magazines work out well.

Q14. Share your advice and thoughts with future entrepreneurs and our readers.

I don’t know about the others, but there are a few things which really work for me. I would advice not only entrepreneurs, but every enthusiast to do whatever you like right here right now. For instance, if you aspire to become a dance choreographer, start dancing now. If you wish to have your own business, get on with it now. There are a lot of people afraid of doing things; they either feel that they are too young or too old for it. If you feel you can do something, and you like it, do it now.

Liking what you do is the most important thing; I enjoy each and every bit of entrepreneurship. But if you’re not of the business type, then don’t bother doing it.

Lastly, I would really like to thank 2Indya.com and all its readers for having me and I hope to continue to produce great quality products and excellent service. Thanks and have a great day!