Here’s another exciting #GlobalEntrepreneurshipWeek feature! Meet Margi Gothi, the founder of Nails by Margi, a business specializing in customized and premade press-on nails. In this interview, Margi shares her inspiring journey of turning her passion for nails into a successful business. She also opens up about how LEAP Junction played a key role in supporting her entrepreneurial growth, providing guidance, resources, and opportunities that helped her take her business to the next level.
Introduction: Hi, my name is Margi Gothi and I'm from India. I'm founder of Nails by Margi which sells customised and premade press-on nails.
Can you tell us how your business started and what inspired you?
My business started from my personal experience as an international student. I was working in a food industry, and there I wasn't allowed to get my nails done and I was more into nails. This is the reason why I started my press-on nails business.
How has your business changed since you first began?
I changed my logo; it was a very big decision for me. I learned from LEAP Junction that if I want to be a brand, my logo should be looks like a brand, so I changed that. I changed my packaging because I have a competition in the market. Then I was thinking very narrowly but now, I'm thinking about strategically more. This is how my thinking, my packaging, my logo, everything has changed.
What are your goals or plans for growing your business?
My goals are attending as many as market I can attend, then secondly is my brand awareness which is very important for me. I want to emotionally connect with my customers, I can get relate with them and they can attach with my brand.
How do you stay motivated when facing challenges in your business?
My motivation, I’ll gonna mention my mystery diary, in which I write all the lessons, quotes and motivation quotes in it. Whenever I feel low, I just open that, and I read it. Then also I go for a walk or if I'm sitting alone, I always keep that with me and I write it down whatever I think so it's a very good source to push to my goals and it keeps me motivated.
Can you share how your time at Fanshawe influenced a key decision in your business?
Before coming at Fanshawe, I didn't know that college had such a strong support system for students who want to start or run their business. Business Accelerator Program was a game changer for my business, even for me as well. I started taking my business seriously. I make my business model, I get so many resources, good guidelines. Now I'm here, I’m just blindly following my dreams and goals and whenever I feel that I need such a good advice, LEAP Junction is always here. I'm very grateful to Fanshawe and LEAP Junction who is supporting their students.
How did Leap Junction help you with your business journey, and what resources were most useful?
LEAP Junction provide me with so many valuable resources and connections. I was able to meet excellent business and branding adviser who gave me crucial guidance. Their professor and tutor at LEAP Junction were incredibly supportive and their input really helped me to shape my business. We also participated in so many activities which makes us to think creatively, and it strongly connect with our business and strategies. We had so much fun during the program and we learned a lot.
What special opportunities or partnerships did you gain through Leap Junction?
Being a LEAPer is an opportunity here, because if you are LEAPer there is so many doors are open for you at Fanshawe College. My tutors push me to email everybody for interview for partnership, but I was very scared and nervous because I was sure that I'm not getting any partnership from that many big businesses, but I did an email to Fanshawe Falcon Store, and I got the opportunity. I have my partner as Fanshawe Falcon Store.
What qualities do you think that students should develop now to succeed as entrepreneurs?
Based on my experience, I think patience, creativity, adaptability and curiosity are the good qualities to being a good entrepreneur.
What advice would you give to Fanshawe students and alumni interested in starting their own business?
Based on my experience, I can say that if you are doing something and you are loving it, just go for it, and if you are not liking it and you are doing just stop doing it. Don't be afraid of it and start something new. I can give advice that just be a good observant, see the market, see your customers and yourself, if you and your customers liking your product. Understand no business success in overnight or in a day or in a month, so be patient and do whatever you love.
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