BLURB: MARKETING AGENCY TARGETING THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

Meet Sapna, she is the founder of Blurb –  it is a Goa based marketing agency exclusively for hospitality industry.

I have a background in TV production and training in Berkeley, California, and then back home in Mumbai. I moved to Goa where my parents had settled and where I had spent all my holidays growing up, initially for a non profit project training young women in videoblogging sponsored by a grant from the MacArthur Foundation, says Sapna.

We at Bangalore Insider got an opportunity to talk Sapna and get her thoughts. I am sure her interview with us will be inspire everyone.

 

Give a brief info about your startup?

Blurb is a creative marketing agency specialising in the hospitality industry in Goa.

 

What made you start your startup and what problem does it solve?

When we started in 2014, some high-end restaurants in Goa needed to attract more customers so we were the first agency to use social media marketing and PR especially geared towards only hospitality and tourism brands.

 

Tell us about yourself, your previous jobs/ventures? What were you doing before this startup?

I have a background in TV production and training in Berkeley, California, and then back home in Mumbai. I moved to Goa where my parents had settled and where I had spent all my holidays growing up, initially for a non profit project training young women in videoblogging sponsored by a grant from the MacArthur Foundation.

Where is your startup based out of? Why do you think that is the best place for you?

We are based in Porvorim which is a central area in Goa, close to the capital Panjim as well as the popular beach areas of Vagator and Calangute.

 

As a startup founder, what are you paranoid about? What keeps you awake at night?

Since we work with the hospitality sector, our work and consequently revenue reduces in the off-season. So this is a challenge I would like to surmount.

 

Who are your competitions and how are you better than them?

Over the years, several others appeared on the scene but we are told by our clients that they find us more professional, dedicated and better quality of work that caters to their overall needs.

How hard is it to have a work life balance as a startup founder and how do you manage it?

It’s quite hard. During the season time, I work at least 12 hours a day and my team works hard too. But I do yoga regularly and am strict about taking Sundays off to destress.

 

Have you raised funding? If yes, then we would like to know the details. If no then please tell us if you are looking to raise.

No I’ve always bootstrapped and currently have no plans to raise funding.

 

What’s the biggest misconception people have about you? Why do they have that? What’s the reality?

Perhaps that I am out partying all the time since I know about a lot of events taking place. However, the reality is that I prefer working during the day and kicking back with Netflix in the evening.

 

What gets you excited about this company?

I love Goa and have seen it change over the past 30 years with unrestricted development. The culture has eroded but I think people are also bringing in new ideas. My vision was to promote businesses that put Goa on the national and world map. And in a matter of a few years, Goa has emerged as being a top food destination in India on par with metros like Delhi and Mumbai. I think the exciting brands that we work with are responsible for developing tourism in Goa and I want to continue to work towards responsible tourism in the future.

 

Tell us how a day in your life looks like? Your schedule for a day right from the time you get up till you hit the bed at night.

I get up early, go for my yoga class or a walk. Work from 10 am to 6 pm and sometimes meet friends for dinner or stay in and watch TV shows. I also frequently enjoy cultural events like art shows, talks, and walking tours.

 

Tell us about your team and how did you meet each other?

Most often, I have simply announced a vacancy and interviewed candidates.

 

 

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