Interview with Parag Solanki | Eco Pole Innovation
I hope this can inspire you to become a successful entrepreneur too! Why is it important to hear the story of a successful entrepreneur?
Having the vision to become an entrepreneur is great. Making it happen is another story!
In that frame, I had the pleasure to interview Parag Solanki, founder of Eco Pole Innovation. Parag Solanki is Ahmedabad based chemical engineer and has contributed a lot in the chemical industry of Gujarat through his innovative, safe and environment-friendly products.
Parag Solanki is a scientist of new age, he is much concerned about the environment and fate of succeeding generations. Area of his interest is the elimination of hazardous elements such as plastics which adversely affect the atmosphere, water bodies, and natural resources.
Recently he has developed a method to manufacture plastic floor tiles, roof tiles, wall tile, paver blocks, heavy-duty underground cable tiles, roadblocks and product of desired mould and requirement.
1. What gets you out of bed in the morning i.e what’s your source of motivation?
Every day is a new challenge for me,new day means new energy, new challenges, and fresh ideas. For me the real motivation is how I can contribute to the society through my work, that can be done to make our environment sustainable by applying ideas and principles that in turn is advantageous for society as a whole.
2. Why should people choose your product/services?
By choosing my product or services people will be contributing to environmental sustainability and saving the ecosystem. Because the very concept of my project is to reduce or eliminate the plastic of different grade that is found in a huge amount in our environment because plastics once produced will remain in the environment for hundreds of years unless recycled, reduced or reused. And the recycling cycle also stops after 5 to 6 times. So eventually plastics are either discarded in landfills, waterbodies or burnt causing air pollution. So my process totally converts plastic into useful infra products and thereby getting rid of it. And again it will help in conservation of natural resources.
Few qualities of my products are that they are unbreakable, flame resistant, non conductor of electricity, Good thermal conductivity, can sustain temperature from -60 to 150 degree centigrade,anti-abrasion, even inbuilt colour which do not fade, long life, can be made in different weight ,dimensions and shapes, easily installed, no breakage during transportation or handling, user friendly, can be cut, drilled and hanged on wall. Can be recycled again. And it’s crushed powder form can be used for road building.
3. What’s your competitive advantage and why can’t it be copied?
I am a pioneer in the field as a qualified person and having vast industrial experience. My concept has not been tried earlier and as a technocrat, it gives me the edge to go into the minute details from properties of different raw material, to designing the machines and formulations for different products related to building and infrastructure.
4. What risks are you facing?
Not facing any risk right now. But very much concerned about the risk and impacts environment is and will be facing if we as a people fail to implement such innovative and advanced methods for saving the land, air and water and ecosystem as a whole.
5. Have you considered any alliance/partnership?
No, not yet. But open to any such alliances or partnerships or collaborations by which the technology reaches to remotest area of our country with private or government partnerships. And more and more individual joins the cause by generating work and employment.
6. What are your cash flow projections? When will you break even? How much will you need in investments?
As such following bootstrapped methodology. But would like a bigger Government or Corporate intervention for huge plants across the country. For a wider reach and benefits
7. What comes first for you money or emotions?
Emotions.
8. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
My dedication to my work and will power to succeed in whatever circumstances and vast industrial experience that helped me to visualize the concept of Eco Pole Innovation.
9. Tell me about an accomplishment you are most proud of.
My biggest accomplishment is to develop Eco Pole Innovation and think out of the box concept of converting the different grades of plastic by mixing it with granules to make sustainable products and helping the ecosystem.
10. How do you handle the pressure?
By being calm, composed, finding and correcting faults and starting afresh is my mantra.
11. If you sold your company today, what would be the tone of the conversation? What would you want to gain? What would you want to avoid losing?
I don’t need to sell it. In fact, I will be more interested to educate the people and make them ready to set up their own plant and make them understand the environmental consequences and what impact we all can make together to save the same. And also make them know the business opportunity is there, by generating work and employment.
12. What advice would you give to someone starting out?
Keep believing in yourself. Nothing is impossible. It may be difficult to initially explain the concept or ideas but things will start getting into a place with constant hard work and efforts.
Contact Parag Solanki at paragsolanki917@gmail.com
