Tell us about yourself?
My name is Santosh Salve & I am the Founder of Talk It All and our first product is a Fintech IoT product. This product is referred to as a ‘Sound box’ or ‘Soundbox’, it’s a simple device that announces real-time payment transactions in regional or vernacular languages. I have been working for the last 17 years in Information Technology, prominently in various startups and with few companies as Vice President of Sales & Marketing. I have worked with many clients across the globe and consulted them to develop online websites and mobile app businesses.
If you could go back in time to any moment from your journey, and give yourself one tip, what would it be?
The one tip I would love to give my younger self would have been “Practice hard, learn and read as much as you can, because what you think is your best 100% may not be the same when you compete in the market tomorrow.”
What makes you stand out as an entrepreneur?
The best way of handling problems and finding simple solutions to keep life simple benefits the business in a great way. Problems are problems until you see them as difficult, I personally ensure that I first break down every problem and divide it into small (challenging) tasks.
The past 17 years of experience working in various industries, leading 2 startup businesses, and working with small, medium, and large enterprises help me to tackle situations so they benefit us all. My leadership is based on learning and working in startups, rather than large enterprises or big brands.
What are some of the best working habits you’ve gained over the past couple of years?
Break big tasks into small tasks, apply business techniques to solve issues, handle situations with a smile, manage finances more efficiently, never lose your cool!
Give us a bit of an insight into the influences behind the company?
When I was in self-quarantine due to COVID, I used to order food from a local hotel, & make UPI payment to the delivery guy after he dropped off the food at the gate. Post payment he used to signal the delivery guy that payment has been made & he used to call his owner and get a confirmation for the same.
But sometimes there were delays as the owner used to be busy with other things or attend other customers. So Santosh asked the restaurant next time to send his delivery guy with the Paytm Sound box so he could receive an instant alert when he made the UPI payment.
This worked well not only with him but with other customers as well. Santosh researched and realised that the Paytm soundboxes are made in China, he assembled a team of engineers to make the same product in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. That’s how Talk It All Soundbox, our first product, started taking inspiration from PayTm sound box.
Where do you see your business in five years?
As an enterprise which will be responsible to make a difference in everyone’s life and make our products available and accessible across every home in India, and a least 5 more countries in the next coming 5 years.
What do you think the biggest challenge will be for you in getting there?
The scarcity of electronic components are currently only made available by China. This could lead to a serious threat in manufacturing our products in bulk, and offering them at low cost in the market.
Talk to us about your biggest success story so far?
The wide acceptance from the masses, their excitement regarding the product and the benefits they can reap.
How do clients and customers find you? Are you much of a salesperson for yourself?
Our clients feel Talk It All sound box is a product which they need as there is currently only one company offering them the solution. They are looking forward to having the best options, and the freedom to use the product per their choice and not by compulsion. They feel we are like a friend helping them with the issue they are facing, and not a salesman pushing a product which they do not need.
What one tip would you give to fellow startup founders?
Make something which will add value to your customer life or business & not vice versa
And finally, what do you hope the future brings both you personally, and your business?
At business level we want to develop and research on few more innovative ideas and concepts so the success of the business will help us to explore and carry out our research. Personally, I look forward to get more numbers behind us as the aim behind the startup is to make life more simple and ensure technology is used to help masses across the globe.
