Aiming to provide best education to the kids and shaping their personalities into smart individuals SMARTQ was founded. In an interview Rajnikant Rao, Founder and CEO, SMARTQ Education Solutions Pvt. Ltd shares the company’s growth and expansion plans.
Neha Gohil (NG): Share the vision of your company as well as your entrepreneurial journey.
Rajnikant Rao (RR): SMARTQ has been an effort from the heart. As parents I and my wife have often felt the desire of providing the best to our kids. The need to develop abilities in children beyond what the curriculum has to offer has been the main reason for designing and developing such a program.
The experience has been very fulfilling when testimonials are received from parents who see the change in their children.
These two years have been a wonderful experience. The business is very much like nurturing a child and we now look forward to its growth into a young adult.
NG: What makes your brand promising?
RR: We are catering to an area of education that has been kept out of school curriculum viz building curiosity, logical thinking, competitive spirit and good communication. The brand, so far, has been identified to be one that delivers the promise across its centres by its streamlined processes and transparent way of working.
NG: What made you take the franchise route and why do you think it is apt for your brand?
RR: Education is a word of mouth business. The role of the local franchisee – who has the right networking – cannot be denied in such a sector. The nature of the program augurs well especially with educated ladies who have to juggle their time with multiple activities and finds this business opportunity apt in providing a wonderful balance in their life.
NG: What is the area and investment requirement?
RR: The total investment required to acquire the franchise of the brand is Rs 40,000 along with an area requirement of 150 sq. ft.
NG: Tell us about your brand’s presence. How many of your training institutes are franchised or company-owned?
RR: We have presence in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Panvel, Pune, Goa, Bengaluru, Agra, Delhi, Gurgaon, Nagpur, Bhavnagar, Khamgaon, Harda. Currently, we are running more than 50 franchise units.
NG: Where do you see your brand five years down the line?
RR: We hope to be present in over 200 towns and in many schools as part of the curriculum.