Is it possible to start and manage a thriving internet-based company in India with unique product assortment? What steps are necessary to achieve success? Today we have Ankit, a 21-year-old online entrepreneur, who graciously agreed to share his firsthand insights. So, let’s warmly welcome our guest!

Hey there, could you please tell us a bit about yourself?

Sure, I’m Ankit Patra, graduated with a degree in Computer Science, and currently managing an online business based in India. I oversee three dropshipping stores primarily catering to customers in the United States. During my college years, I sought avenues for financial independence. It’s a common scenario for Indian students to rely entirely on their parents for tuition and living expenses. I didn’t want to be in that situation, so I aimed to at least cover my own meals and expenses.

What inspired you to opt for the dropshipping model for your business?

It was the allure of freedom. Isn’t that what draws most people to the online realm? The dropshipping model seemed especially inviting, with abundant resources and guides available online. I found numerous helpful materials to navigate through the initial stages. This gave me the confidence that I could manage it, knowing there were plenty of resources to support me along the way.

How did you kickstart your online business in India?

For my initial venture, I chose a straightforward approach instead of Shopify due to cost considerations. With the assistance of Sellvia, I got my first store up and running. I lacked substantial experience, and Sellvia served as my testing ground. Perhaps this contributed to some early setbacks, but those failures became valuable learning experiences that ultimately propelled me forward. Despite facing months of challenges and testing numerous products without success, I remained dedicated and persistent in my efforts.

What sparked the change? Can you recall the first sale from your store?

Absolutely, I remember it vividly: it happened on December 9th. I had just begun running my ads, and then, “cha-ching!” – there it was, my first sale, totaling $29.95 (inclusive of shipping). Remarkably, I had only spent $5 on ads. That moment served as a tremendous source of motivation for me. To be honest, I was overjoyed, as anyone would be. Though I’m not one to openly express emotions, I must admit, a tear of joy did escape when I witnessed that first sale.

It was just in August when I delved into the world of dropshipping. Day in and day out, I dedicated myself to researching and testing products, having already invested $1,000 without much return, or so I believed at the time. I spent 4-6 hours daily watching YouTube tutorials, implementing every bit of knowledge into my Facebook ads and store. So, it took me roughly four months of relentless testing and a $1,000 investment to achieve my first taste of success. While for some, success might come sooner or later, I believe those four months provided me with the right amount of time to refine my skills and establish a solid foundation for my business. Looking back, I’m grateful for the journey it took to get there.

How does your online business perform now?

Here’s a performance screenshot I want to share:

So, you see nothing goes to waste, you just have to stay till the end, which I did and at the age of 21 I currently have a net worth of $50,000 and no liabilities.

How did you come up with the idea for your online business?

To pinpoint a lucrative niche, I turned to Google Trends for research. Additionally, I found great insight by browsing popular Facebook videos to gauge user preferences and expectations.

When selecting products to feature in my stores, I relied on Sellvia’s best-selling products. So, I continually add new products to my stores, testing them with Facebook ads after an initial evaluation. When setting prices, I typically double the original price, or even multiply it by five for lower-priced items.

How do you market your online store?

Exclusively through Facebook and Instagram ads; I haven’t explored other channels. Finding the right audience for my products poses a significant challenge, so I experiment with various creatives, copy, and conduct A/B testing to identify the most effective ads. I simultaneously test multiple interests to pinpoint the optimal audience for my ads. On average, I allocate about $5,000 per month to promote all three of my stores.

Can you tell us about managing your business?

Managing my stores consumes roughly 2-3 hours of my day. Aside from testing ads, product research, and editing product pages are the most time-intensive tasks.

Customer service can also present challenges. Typically, about 1% of customers prove difficult to handle, prompting me to maintain sufficient margins to accommodate refunds. I price my unique products in a way that allows for a 2x margin after refunding 5 out of every 100 orders. However, buyers vary: my largest order was $518 without any discount whatsoever. Perhaps that customer thought the price was too low… who knows!

What about the legal aspects of operating an online business in India?

I officially registered my business, which wasn’t too complex. You need to be at least 18 years old, possess a government-issued ID, and have a rented space with a proper lease agreement. It’s straightforward and hassle-free!

How has your life been impacted?

In terms of my daily routine, not much has changed. However, I’ve been able to fulfill some personal dreams by purchasing a 16″ MacBook Pro and my desired Sony headphones, which I find to be the perfect tools for my work. I’m aiming to avoid any unnecessary expenses and instead invest my earnings into future business ventures. Looking ahead, I aspire to establish my own advertising and marketing agency. I understand it’s a long journey, but I’m determined to achieve greater success.

What’s the opinion of your friends and family regarding your business?

They couldn’t be happier. As is typical of an Indian family, mine was astonished by the wealth I accumulated within just 6-7 months. To put it into perspective, an entry-level software engineer at companies like Facebook in India earns around $17,000 annually. So, achieving nearly four times that amount in just a few months was quite significant.

What advice do you have for our readers — both those already running stores and those considering starting a business?

I’d like to urge everyone out there to persevere and keep pushing forward. I know it’s a common sentiment, but trust me, success often comes when you least expect it, and waiting idly for something magical won’t cut it. You have to put in the hard work and invest in avenues like Facebook ads and relevant tools.

In dropshipping, timing is crucial. Trying to market a product that’s already out of trend is bound to yield poor results. So, my advice is to allocate funds wisely and don’t hesitate to seek assistance where needed. Not skilled in building stores? Consider outsourcing it and save your time for more important tasks. Don’t stress over minor details; you can’t be proficient at everything, so let specialists, apps, and subscriptions handle their respective roles for the money you invest.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ankit for his generous and insightful input! His journey underscores the immense potential of launching an online business in India, and we hope it inspires you, our dear readers, to take your first steps in dropshipping as well.

Start dropshipping your own exclusive custom product with Sellvia!

Do you know what sinks great dropshipping stores? Boring products! So if you want to stand out from the crowd and skyrocket your sales, then look no further! Because Sellvia’s Custom product package is your secret weapon for success.

What’s in it for you?

• Handpicked top-Sellers: Say goodbye to generic products. We’ll curate a collection of high-demand items based on your preferences. No more limits — just let us know what you’re after!
• Unique descriptions: Our team crafts compelling product pages with SEO-optimized content for each item. Your customers will be hooked from the first glance.
• Stunning visuals: 5-star images that make visitors fall in love instantly. Your store will look amazing on any device — desktop, tablet, or mobile.
• Zero effort: We handle everything — from importing products to creating product pages. You focus on growing your business!
• Bonus boost: Not sure how to promote these gems? No worries! We’ll market them for you!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to transform your dropshipping game. Get your custom dropshipping products now.  Let’s build your unique store together!