In the series of interviews with market leaders, change-makers, and innovators, we bring our next interview with Entrepreneur, & Influencer marketing professional, Mr. Vikas Malpani, CEO and Co-Founder, Leher App.
Our team member Smriti Sharma conducted this interview with Vikas. So let’s go through the interview.
Q. In the last 6 months, Leher saw exponential growth. Can you please tell us the main reasons behind its success?
Ans: Recent covid pandemic helped the Leher platform a lot. Other than that, we also have so many such social media apps that created a mindset to adopt the new innovative way to communicate.
People came up with open minds to accept such a platform and the whole covid scenario helped the platform to attract more users.
Q. Most of the social media apps are about liking, commenting, giving hearts. How did you come up with an idea of a platform where users will do conversation?
Ans: Current social networks are social media platforms. They are no more social networks. You have some events from your life, you post them over these so-called social network platforms. You just broadcasted some information that makes them social media. You get likes, comments, etc. No real conversation is happening.
Text alone is not enough for real conversation. Some people may not have that text skill for putting their views forward but they have so much to tell.
Audio/video conversations are the most natural ones. We learn this skill automatically when we grow. So, natural mediums like audio/video are the best to communicate. That’s why we made the Leher app to have live discussions in closed groups. You can start a conversation with the people you know or the random people you have in the group. You can choose either an audio or video medium as per your comfort level.
Q. Audio sector growth has been amazing in recent months. What do you think about the popularity of audio platforms like podcasting?
Ans: Compared to text, you can consume more information through audio. Audio also helps to consume information in the background while we are doing other work as well. On the other hand, video conversation is best for building connections.
Q: What kind of expectations first time users should have from the Leher App?
Ans: First, they should come up with an open mind to experience this revolutionary platform. Second, try to figure out the main interests you have. Third, you can create a club or room and start a conversation about your topic of interest. You can invite people to join your conversation. You can also join the existing clubs of your interest.
Q: Since the launch of Leher in 2018, what evolution have you observed in the startup and in the market?
Ans: We have gone through plenty of excitements and disappointments in this period of time. We started Leher as an opinion-sharing app. Later, we added a live video concept.
This decade belongs to interesting conversations. It is easy to start with audio. Later, you can make the transition to video medium on a need basis. Video conversations provide you the quality of trust with the people you are communicating with. Let’s build it together from India for the world.
Q: What is your learning experience in building the Leher platform?
Ans: There is a tremendous amount of learning we have throughout our journey. We make so many mistakes when we build something. Sometimes, the right decision in the past may become a mistake in the current scenario.
With time, you learn about people, timing, and the market. We learn from our users, critics and the people who give us feedback, and of course from the people who love us.
We should be open-minded to accept mistakes. We have to acknowledge those mistakes and move on.
Q. How have you evolved as an entrepreneur from your first startup to now?
Ans: It is a hard thing to answer because you don’t keep thinking about that. I think I have more understanding of the pain that we go through because I have gone through once. The entrepreneurship journey is very painful. Even the smallest comment hurt you a lot.
I have read the book “Karma Yoga”. It talks about non-attachment to work. The main idea is- the result is not the reason you should be doing certain things. Results are not in your hands, efforts are. Do the best you can. Don’t get disheartened.
Appreciation and criticism should not be taken very seriously. Think about the purpose you are doing it for. Follow the purpose and deliver to that. This is very important to the entrepreneur.
The world changes a lot. You have to adapt to that. People change a lot in different generations. Try to make newer mistakes. By the way, I have made a lot of the same mistakes. It is very hard to change ourselves.
It is much easier to say every one to change but it is much harder to change yourself even when you want to. I spend a lot of time figuring out how to become a better person and entrepreneur and I am still on that journey.
Q. What are your future plans for Leher App?
Ans: We have no consumer global app from India. I need Indian people on a journey to make it a global success. I need everyone from the ecosystem in this journey. I believe I can’t do this alone.
Don’t use it because it is an Indian app, use it because it is the best. Leher has a long journey ahead. We want to make Leher the best place for conversation, discussion and finding interesting people.
Q. Thank you for this interesting conversation and for providing your valuable time for the NBB community.
Ans: Well thank you so much. Hope I added some value to the users out there. Join Leher and meet me there. Join interesting conversations. I am also available on all major social network. Just search my name and be a part of my circle.
