This Entrepreneur Couple Shows How To Build A Million Dollar Company GridSquare

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 Mrs. Tript Pahuja & Mr. Ashish Pahuja, co-founders of GRIDSQUARE. GridSquare has been the key manufacturer, supplier and installation service provider of ceiling systems and custom ceiling solutions to the construction companies, contractors and government agencies.

GridSquare is the manufacturer of superior quality MADE IN INDIA False ceiling systems, comprising of Anti-microbial & Acoustical Mineral Fibre and Metal False Ceiling with options of  Aluminum, GI steel & Stainless Steel.

GridSquare clientele ranges from Construction Companies, Contractors to
Government Agencies. Some of the clients GridSquare cater to are Jharkhand Vidhan Sabha, National Housing Bank (HQ), IOCL (Corporate & Marketing Offices), IIT(Jodhpur), ESIC (Okhla), ESIC (Kota), ESIC (Bihar), Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, Phase II, GTB Hospital, Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital (Delhi), Burdwan Heal City of Bengal-Faith Health Care and many more.

GridSquare’s effort is directed towards sourcing & manufacturing in order to bring the most reliable and breakthrough products to their customers.

1. What gets you out of bed in the morning i.e what’s your source of motivation?
The same question was asked by one of the kids when I volunteered for the Delhi Govt’s EMC program. Well according to me, my motivation is the reason why I started GridSquare because you choose the journey of entrepreneurship only if you have a motive and with everything at stake, you don’t have a reason to not get up.

2. Why should people choose your product/services?
Gridsquare Sticks to its commitment. We are a planet-friendly, made in India product certified by CE, GRIHA & IGBC. Our solutions are customer-oriented and meet the aspirations of sustainability & responsibility. Our endeavor is to provide complete and hassle-free false ceiling solutions to our customers. Our highly trained, prolific, industrious installation team provides exemplary services that bring value to the consumer.

3. What’s your competitive advantage and why can’t it be copied?
We at GridSquare® offer both supply & installation services which no other international brand offers. We provide the truly global, long-lasting and planet friendly product comparable to any leading international brand.

4. What risks are you facing?
Budget, funding, economic is some of the risks that most of the startups face.

5. Have you considered any alliance/partnership?
No, we have not considered any alliance or partnership yet.

6. What are your cash flow projections? When will you break even? How much will you need in investments?
We have already crossed the break-even point. As for investment, Its a capital intensive business as the raw material is metal which is expensive and prices keep fluctuating.

7. What comes first for you money or emotions?
Business runs on money. One has to find a balance. One learns to be objective.

8. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Our Strengths I would say are that we provide high-Quality Green sustainable Product at a reasonable price along with that as I said earlier we are One stop solution Providers. Also, as we always say “Proudly Made in India” which further results in reduced carbon footprint and creating job opportunities.

As for a weakness, though I will not call it a weakness it’s a challenge where we face “foreign-made is better” mindset, no matter what exorbitant prices a foreign brand charges the client. Even though we have proven ourselves again and again with our product and its price. I hope with the dedicated effort of my team, we will be able to move the stereotypical mindset towards Indian made.

9. Tell me about an accomplishment you are most proud of.
Though all our projects big or small are always special, if I have to choose then Our recent projects New Jharkhand Vidhan Sabha and IIT JODHPUR are the ones we are most proud of.

10. How do you handle the pressure?
The pressure is inevitable with any new business. One does not handle the pressure, you learn to understand, cope or absorb it, at the end of the day it’s our journey. Also, being both life and business partners, We at least have each other to lean on.

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?
Why would we sell our company? No plans as of now. Never thought about it. Well, we would like to take it up in the long run till global establishment.

12. What advice would you give to someone starting out?
Nowadays entrepreneurs are getting huge exposure but the biggest problem that I can observe is people are trying to make a key whose lock doesn’t even exist. Basically, your idea or startup should solve the problem of society. So identify the need or sector, provide the solution, manage your finances as there will be no help from banks for at least 3 years & brace yourself. It’s a long, hard but fulfilling journey.

13. Why Ceiling?
It was during CWG Delhi, due to my experience with MNCs, I got exposure to Govt projects. There I realized the potential of the government sector and need for an Indian brand as the sector was governed by international companies. The Indian market was unorganized and neither MNC nor big Indian players were ready to provide installation services and warranties because everyone only wanted to sell their product. Now I got an in house team trained and became one point ceiling solution provider. We came up with a green, fire certified product that was unheard of in the Indian market. Then the demand grew and then GRIDSQUARE happened.