How a Sports Fan Became a Sports Founder - Sheetal's Story
Sheetal Arora is a sports enthusiast turned Entrepreneur who is building SportsIngo, a sports fan engagement platform. She was named one of the Top 75 Women Entrepreneurs in Innovation by NITI Aayog.
What inspired you to become an entrepreneur and start your own business?
I grew up watching and playing different sports, which changed my life in many ways. Being a die-hard sports fan, I always wanted to connect with other passionate fans, and talking about sports has been my escape mode.
Back in 2015, I dipped my toes into community building by starting a WhatsApp group for sports fans like me. Seeing how quickly this group turned into a lively, engaged community was terrific. I even managed to monetize the group, proving to myself that there was a real appetite for bringing fans together.
I always had a knack for doing something of my own, and I saw a problem that needed solving. Despite their passion, sports fans often needed more dedicated space to connect and share their enthusiasm on a deeper level. Combining my entrepreneurial spirit with my passion for sports was a natural fit.
I wanted to create a platform where sports enthusiasts could come together, share their experiences, and celebrate their love for sports.
The journey from a WhatsApp group to a full-fledged business has been challenging but incredibly rewarding.
What was your biggest challenge as a startup founder, and how did you overcome it?
One of my ongoing struggles is finding the right people who share our passion and gel with our company's vision. Building a startup is fundamentally about rallying together behind a shared dream and pushing forward as one. That kind of collaboration happens when every member of the team is truly invested and fired up about what we're doing.
The best strategy to overcome this hurdle is to lay all our cards on the table: what our mission is, what values we hold dear, and where we see the company going.
Being upfront about these things makes it easier for potential team members to see where they fit into the picture. This clarity helps us connect with folks who are genuinely excited to be part of the journey, ensuring our team is both cohesive and driven.
Can you share any exciting news or upcoming projects you are currently working on?
SportsIngo is a fan engagement platform for sports enthusiasts. Users earn rewards for every activity they participate in, and we are currently developing a robust reward system to enhance fan loyalty.
How has Razorpay Rize helped you in your journey of being a founder?
Razorpay Rize is a super-engaged community. Thanks to fellow founders who have navigated similar paths, I have found real-time solutions to even the smallest challenges.
Some Ending Thoughts
Sheetal has been tirelessly working in this space, using the power of sports to drive positive change in communities worldwide. Through her platform, she is supporting and promoting the voices of fans and ensuring that their passion is recognized. Summing up her vision, Sheetal says,
“Let's make every game day an unforgettable celebration of sports and fandom!”
Find out more about Sheetal & SportsIngo.
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