on being an entrepreneur

On Being an EntrepreneurAn Interview with Sanjay Shelat

of Edit Optimisation Ltd

Personal interview from Kasey Navita Phiferfor the Internship Support and Evaluation Courseof the College of Applied Sciences (HTW) Berlin

conducted on 25 May 2012, presented on 14 June 2012

www.editoptimisation.co.ukhttp://bib.htw-berlin.de

www.knavita.comwww.thechroniclesofnavi.com

Quick facts:

1. Edit Optimisation was founded in 2002

2. Sanjay Shelat is head of sales & also my

internship supervisor

3. 45 full-time employees, dozens of freelancers,

1 intern - me

4. Winner of Merton Business Awards 2011

“Best Employer Award”

Interview Questions

Original interview length: 15 minutes (7 questions)Edited down to: 3 minutes (4 questions)

1. How did you come across the idea to found Edit Optimisation?

2. What were the greatest challenges and successes you've seen since deciding to start Edit?

3. Who or what has motivated you to make difficult life and business decisions?

4. Do you consider your academic studies to have played an important role in your career, and if so, how?

What I‘ve Learned About Entrepreneurship

• Personality is everything(confidence, risk-taking & passion needed)

• Business plans are (mostly) overrated

• Studies help build character and knowledge; so do practical experiences, friends and travel

Recommended Information• You‘ll either have a great job or a really crappy one:

Larry Smith, TED Talks: „Why you will fail to have a great career”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKHTawgyKWQ&feature=youtu.be

• Helped inspire the company:Richard Koch. The 80-20 Rule.

(Basics of how Google AdSense works)http://www.adsensehowto.net/google_adsense/how_google_adsense_works.php

• Edit Optimisation website: www.editoptimisation.co.uk2011 Best Employer Award: http://vimeo.com/29472032

Thanks for your attention!

And enjoy your internships!