“I was born in Vizag. My parents were lawyers, but later, my dad took up a banking job, which required us to move frequently. As a result, I studied in 6-7 different schools before we finally settled in Hyderabad in 2002.
I was good at studies, read a lot of textbooks, and consistently scored above 85%. This helped me secure admission into top colleges, and I completed my engineering from Manipal. That was when I truly started understanding myself-what I was good at and what I wanted to do. Like any typical Vizag boy, I was always drawn to movies, acting, and dancing, though I hadn’t realized it back then. Within my first few weeks in college, I developed a keen interest in these fields, joined the drama club, and started performing street plays, short films, and dramas.
In the process, I didn’t focus much on studies or exam preparations. For the first time in my life, I failed a paper and had a backlog in my first semester. Not knowing how to handle failure, I ignored it. This continued, and over time, I accumulated multiple backlogs, eventually taking seven years to complete my degree.
In my fourth year, I had an opportunity to start a software company with my cousin in South Africa. The following year, I launched a startup focused on agriculture and gardening, specifically Bonsai Sampling, which later expanded into two franchises. Then Covid struck, and despite all the challenges, I finally completed my degree.
Later, I attended an event on digital business, where I was trained by prominent industry leaders. Many questions were raised, and I realized I had more answers than most people there. Over the years, I had implemented many of these concepts in my software company and startup. People started approaching me for advice, even offering to pay for my services. That’s when it struck me-I was good at this. So, in 2020, I started my agency, ‘Strux Digital’-a marketing agency. What began with one client soon turned into multiple by the end of the year. We focused on building brands from scratch using performance marketing.
Once Covid ended, the industry dynamics changed. My remote-based company faced new challenges, but we adapted. At one point, we started losing clients due to our online work culture. These were tough times, but the whole team came together, learned, regrouped, and got back on track. Today, I have a strong 15-member team, and instead of chasing quantity, we work with 12-14 high-paying clients, ensuring quality results.
There have been many lessons in this journey-how to work, organize, and implement new ideas. But the most important lesson I’ve learned is financial management. Initially, I didn’t know how to deal with clients regarding payments, but understanding market trends and pricing strategies has been crucial for business growth.
My employees come from different cities, and I’ve seen immense talent among them, but language has often been a barrier. This inspired me to start a business podcast in 2024, where I feature entrepreneurs from various industries in Telangana who have achieved great things. By sharing their stories, I hope to inspire others to dream big.
One of my most memorable episodes was with Srikanth, India’s top flower exporter. His passion for farming and agriculture gave me goosebumps and reinforced why everyone should understand the farmer’s lifestyle. If there’s one guest I’d love to have, it’s Chiranjeevi Garu. I grew up watching his films with my dad, and he has always been an inspiration. I’m going to make it happen soon-he will be on my podcast.
Looking ahead, I want mine to be among the top marketing agencies. To young entrepreneurs, my advice is: don’t be entitled. Be open to asking for help, as there will always be someone willing to guide you. For elders, I’d say-teach your children how to handle failure early, so they are better prepared for life’s challenges.”
- Vivek Kandula, Entrepreneur & Podcaster