"Overall, I believe that the continued expansion of online business represents a massive opportunity for entrepreneurs and innovators."
Sathish Bala is the Founder of Schoolio Learning Inc., a cutting-edge SaaS platform that integrates LMS, Web 2.0, and the metaverse for a seamless digital learning experience. Launched in 2021, Schoolio provides parents with various customizable in-home learning solutions, generating over $500k in annual recurring income.
Schoolio has also been selected into the American Express and Google incubator as an education start-up, cementing its position as a leader in the ed-tech space.
Sathish’s expertise in Digital Marketing, Design/Marketing Strategy, Leadership/Communication, Concept Development, and Customer Acquisition has enabled him to advise national brands with multicultural strategies, digital traffic, and lead generation programs, achieving 30 million impressions and generating $500K in economic value.
He has also received the Alumni Achievement Award from Ryerson University for his contribution as an entrepreneur in launching an incubator for a science discovery zone involving 150 start-ups from concept to market, raising over $2MM in public and private funding.
Sathish’s functional knowledge in WordPress, WooCommerce, Shopify, Trello, Slack, Jira, HubSpot, Salesforce CRM, AWS, Facebook Ad Manager, Google Campaign Manager, Google Suites, Microsoft Office Suite, and his experience investing in early-stage start-ups make him an invaluable asset to any team.
In addition to his impressive entrepreneurial ventures, Sathish Bala is also a passionate advocate for the arts community. He is the Founder of DESIFEST, a non-profit organization celebrating South Asian arts and culture in Toronto and beyond.
DESIFEST has been active for over 17 years, and during this time, Sathish and his team have raised over $2M to support artists and their communities.
Through DESIFEST, Sathish has provided a platform for emerging and established artists to showcase their talents and connect with audiences, fostering a vibrant and inclusive arts community in Toronto.
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Table of Contents
In the past year, what is the greatest business achievement you’d like to celebrate with your team? Please share the details of that success.
Sathish Bala: I am delighted to share the successful launch of our Schoolio Digital Platform! It has been an exciting journey, and we are thrilled to see the positive impact it has already made on our customers.
We have received heartwarming testimonials from customers who have experienced immense benefits from using our platform. Their encouraging words and stories of success are a true testament to the potential of our product in revolutionizing the way we approach education.
As we continue to grow and improve our platform, we are incredibly grateful for the support and encouragement of our customers. Their feedback is invaluable in helping us fine-tune our services to better cater to educators, students, and parents’ needs.
What advice do you wish you received when you started your business journey and what do you intend on improving in the next quarter?
Sathish Bala: My entrepreneurial journey has been blessed with mentors who are amazing and thoughtful. In retrospect, one thing I wish I had learned sooner was to prioritize my mental and physical health rather than financial success or burnout.
After repeatedly burning out with each new endeavour, I finally learned my lesson with a mini health crisis in 2017. Even though I work hard at Schoolio, I spend more time coaching and developing my team.
It’s still important to me to work 10-12 hours a day, but I also exercise, eat well, and have time for my family and hobbies. The growth we are experiencing is due to this focus, clarity, and direction.
Online business keeps on surging higher than ever, B2B, B2C, online shopping, virtual meetings, remote work, Zoom medical consultations, what are your expectations for the year to come and how are you capitalizing on the tidal wave?
Sathish Bala: As a digital entrepreneur and consultant, I am excited to see the continued growth and expansion of the online business world. The events of the past two years have dramatically accelerated the shift towards digital-first business models, and I believe this trend is here to stay.
In the year to come, I expect to see even more innovative approaches to online business, particularly in the B2B and B2C spaces. We will likely see an increased focus on personalized, omnichannel experiences for consumers, as well as continued advancements in virtual communication technologies.
At Schoolio, we are capitalizing on this tidal wave by doubling down on our investment in the metaverse and LMS platforms, leveraging cutting-edge technology to deliver seamless, immersive learning experiences to our users.
We are also focusing on building strategic partnerships with other online businesses and industry leaders, creating synergies that will help us to better serve our customers and grow our business.
Overall, I believe that the continued expansion of online business represents a massive opportunity for entrepreneurs and innovators. By staying ahead of the curve and embracing emerging technologies and trends, we can create value for our customers and drive growth for our businesses in the years to come.
Business is all about overcoming obstacles and creating opportunities for growth. What do you see as THE real challenge right now?
Sathish Bala: As a business consultant and entrepreneur, I believe that the biggest challenge facing us right now is the need to embrace change. The past two years have brought unprecedented disruption to the business world, and many organizations have struggled to adapt to the new normal.
However, I firmly believe that change also represents an opportunity for growth and innovation. Those businesses that are willing to adapt and embrace new technologies and business models will be the ones that thrive in the years to come.
One of the biggest challenges that we face in this regard is overcoming resistance to change. People are often comfortable with the status quo, and change can be difficult and disruptive. However, it is only by embracing change that we can remain competitive and relevant in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape.
At Schoolio, we have embraced this challenge by continuously evaluating and adapting our business model and technology platform to ensure that we are meeting the evolving needs of our customers. We have invested heavily in the metaverse and LMS platforms, even before they became the “next big thing,” and we are always looking for ways to stay ahead of the curve.
Overall, I believe that the key to overcoming the challenge of change is to remain adaptable and open-minded. We must be willing to try new things, take risks, and pivot quickly when necessary. By doing so, we can create opportunities for growth and drive long-term success for ourselves and our organizations.
2020, 2021, 2022 threw a lot of curve balls into businesses on a global scale. Based on the experience gleaned in the past years, how can businesses thrive in 2023? What lessons have you learned and what advice would you share?
Sathish Bala: The past few years have been a challenging time for businesses around the world, with unprecedented disruptions to our ways of life and work. However, I believe that these challenges have also presented us with an opportunity to learn and grow, and to emerge stronger and more resilient than ever before.
Based on my experience and observations, I believe that there are several key lessons that businesses can apply to thrive in 2023 and beyond.
First and foremost, it is essential to remain agile and adaptable in the face of change. The past few years have demonstrated the importance of being able to pivot quickly and adjust to new circumstances, whether that means shifting to remote work or rapidly implementing new digital tools and processes. Businesses that are able to respond quickly and flexibly to change will be better positioned to thrive in the years ahead.
Secondly, I believe that the importance of strong leadership has been highlighted during these challenging times. Leaders who are able to inspire and motivate their teams, provide a clear sense of direction and purpose, and lead with empathy and compassion will be better able to navigate the uncertainties of the future.
Lastly, I believe that there is a need for businesses to focus on creating value for their customers and stakeholders. This means prioritizing customer experience, delivering high-quality products and services, and building trust and loyalty with your customers.
At Schoolio, we have taken these lessons to heart and are focused on building a strong, resilient business that can thrive in the years ahead. We have invested in cutting-edge technology and innovation, while also prioritizing our team’s well-being and development.
In summary, my advice to businesses looking to thrive in 2023 is to remain agile and adaptable, focus on strong leadership, and prioritize creating value for your customers and stakeholders. By doing so, we can emerge from the challenges of the past few years stronger and better equipped to navigate the uncertainties of the future.
On a lighter note, if you had the ability to pick any business superpower, what would it be and how would you put it into practice?
Sathish Bala: Ha! Well, I have to say, I feel like I already have a few business superpowers up my sleeve! But if I had to pick just one, I think I’d have to go with the power of super-speed.
Now, I know what you’re thinking – “Super-speed? That’s not a business superpower!” But hear me out. Imagine being able to complete projects and deliver results at lightning speed, leaving the competition in the dust.
With super-speed, I could power through my to-do list in record time, freeing up more time for strategy, innovation, and team-building.
Plus, think of the time I could save on my commute! No more sitting in traffic, no more waiting for public transit – I could be there in a flash. And if a client needed a last-minute meeting, I could be there in the blink of an eye.
Of course, I’d have to be careful not to burn out – super-speed can be a double-edged sword, after all. But with the right balance of speed and strategy, I think I could put this superpower into practice to take my business to the next level.
Who knows – maybe I could even give The Flash a run for his money!
Jerome Knyszewski, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Sathish Bala for taking the time to do this interview and share his knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Sathish Bala or his company, you can do it through his – Instagram
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