Where others see difficulties, entrepreneurs see opportunities.
That's true for FLAME alumni SakshamTandon, who founded Megaphone Records, a micro-influencer network and content curation company with his best friend and partner, PranitChandarana. "When the pandemic started, I had no idea I'd start a successful company by the end of it. The venture started in an economic downturn; the success of the venture proved that we are used to the new normal, and social media influencing has become a huge part of it," he says.
We try to put this "influential" and inspiring story on the record.
An entrepreneur gets ahead by getting started.
There is often a debate on whether one naturally possesses an entrepreneurial mind or can be trained to think like an entrepreneur. For Saksham, it's all about identifying an opportunity, a gap in the market, and making the right move at the right time. It's something he has successfully done with Megaphone Records in a short time. "I saw a gap in the influencer marketing industry, and filled it. Anyone can be an influencer, even better than a professional one." he explains.
Turning a business idea into a success
Launching a business venture is only the first step; sustaining it to see success is a considerable challenge. Within a year, Saksham's company has become one of the country's youngest and fastest-growing micro-influencer networks and content curation companies. That's a massive achievement for a team of a dozen in their 20s. How are we doing this? "Well, we put our faith in micro-influencers generating relevant content with organic views; I recognized the potential in micro-influencers which is now a database of 350+ bringing organic and promising engagement to 20+brands, including billion-dollar companies such as Redbull, OnePlus, Nykaa, BoAtHeadphones and Neeman’s shoes to name a few.
Hitting the right notes
Saksham's entrepreneurial journey began early when he performed as a popular DJ around the country. Even then, he worked on his branding and integrated his skills into organizing events. Today as he has gone further down the entrepreneurial route, he is keen on staying connected to music. The clue is in the name – Megaphone Records. He explains, "Along with being a brand solutions company, we are a music company at heart, with our roots being in music. Hence there is 'records' in the name. We are, and always will be, an artist-first company giving artists that we work with a platform." The company aims to stay true to the music roots as it amplifies the sound of up-and-coming artists in the industry. Meanwhile he has also worked with established names like Badshah, hip hop acts such as Prabhdeep, and indie stars including Anuv Jain and Zaeden.
Recently Megaphone Records worked on TIPS Rewind, a project that paid tribute to Ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh. Saksham personally curated the whole album with renowned singers, including Sonu Nigam, Hariharan, Shaan, Ankit Tiwari, and Ash King. "I am grateful to TIPS Music for having given me this opportunity and making this project happen with Skoda.We truly enjoyed the journey of making this album, and it's very close to my heart because it is a tribute to none other than Jagjit Singh. Jagjitji’s music has always been the closest to my heart and we curated this album with the best of intentions to pay tribute to the legend." he adds.
The making of an entrepreneur
Today he brings all the skills he gained at FLAME to the table as an entrepreneur. "Leading a team, managing clients while keeping your people happy can only be done with teamwork, communication. As a student, you need to take time to be inspired, be confident and find ways to execute your ideas," he concludes with thoughtful advice.
Saksham can be reached on