We used to sit in kirana shops, help them get online: Meesho CEO
Meesho, one of India’s fastest-growing e-commerce companies, has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 2015. Founded by Vidit Aatrey and Sanjeev Barnwal, two IIT graduates, Meesho started as a small venture with a big dream – to revolutionize the way small businesses operate online. In a recent interview, Aatrey opened up about the initial days of Meesho and how the company grew from a small startup to a household name.
In the early days, Aatrey and Barnwal would visit tiny kirana shops, helping them get online with their smartphones. “We used to sit in those small shops, helping them set up their online presence,” Aatrey recalled. “We never imagined we’d be serving hundreds of millions of customers a decade later.”
Meesho’s journey began with a simple idea – to empower small businesses and entrepreneurs to sell their products online. Aatrey and Barnwal, both engineering graduates from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), were frustrated with the complexity of existing e-commerce platforms. They wanted to create a platform that was easy to use, affordable, and accessible to everyone.
The duo started by identifying the need for a platform that would cater to the needs of small-scale entrepreneurs, who often lacked the technical expertise to sell their products online. They realized that these entrepreneurs needed a platform that would allow them to focus on what they did best – running their businesses – while leaving the technical aspects to Meesho.
Meesho’s early days were marked by a lot of trial and error. Aatrey and Barnwal would visit local shops, setting up their online presence and helping them understand the basics of e-commerce. They would also handle the logistics, managing orders and deliveries on behalf of the shopkeepers.
“We were like a partner to them,” Aatrey said. “We would help them set up their online store, handle the inventory, and manage the logistics. We would take care of everything, and all they needed to do was focus on selling their products.”
Meesho’s unique approach to e-commerce quickly gained traction. The company’s focus on empowering small businesses and entrepreneurs resonated with the masses. Within a year of its launch, Meesho had partnered with over 10,000 small-scale entrepreneurs, helping them sell their products online.
Meesho’s success can be attributed to its willingness to adapt to the needs of its customers. The company’s founders were always open to feedback and were willing to make changes to improve the platform. They also invested heavily in technology, developing a robust platform that could handle large volumes of traffic and transactions.
Meesho’s growth was not without its challenges, however. The company faced stiff competition from established e-commerce players, and the logistics of managing a large number of small-scale entrepreneurs proved to be a significant challenge.
Despite these challenges, Meesho continued to push forward, driven by its mission to empower small businesses and entrepreneurs. The company’s focus on innovation and customer satisfaction helped it to stay ahead of the competition, and today, Meesho is one of the largest e-commerce companies in India.
In a recent interview, Aatrey reflected on Meesho’s journey, saying, “We never imagined we’d be serving hundreds of millions of customers a decade later. But we were driven by a curiosity to solve a problem and a willingness to take risks.”
Meesho’s story is a testament to the power of innovation and the importance of staying focused on the customer. The company’s willingness to adapt to the needs of its customers and its commitment to innovation have helped it to stay ahead of the competition and achieve remarkable success.
As Meesho continues to grow and expand, it will be interesting to see how the company continues to innovate and adapt to the changing needs of its customers. One thing is certain, however – Meesho’s commitment to empowering small businesses and entrepreneurs will remain at the heart of everything it does.
