Interviews
Ashkay Ruparelia’s Tips and Next Moves In The Industry
Jemima Hunter
November 30, 2021
Ashkay Ruparelia is the entrepreneur that started his ventures at only seventeen and became a self-made millionaire, whilst juggling homework and a business. Ruparelia founded ‘Doorsteps’, an online estate agency where you can get valuations for your property and sell your house as a lower-priced service.
When the savvy entrepreneur was in his teens, he noticed there was a gap in the market by allowing customers to sell their property at a set fee from one of the packages available, all from your fingertips. With a family loan of around seven thousand pounds, Ruparelia launched his business and understood the importance to efficient customer service and decided working with property consultants that are local will create the path to success.
As a young man at sixteen, the entrepreneur began coding his own app with his fellow classmates.
‘Once I had evolved this, invested myself in greater market research, I realised the app was better placed as a hybrid agency rather than a self-service model.’
Ruparelia believed having a company that undercuts the harsh estate agency market, will save house sellers fees dramatically.
‘My mission was to positively disrupt an antiquated sector with a new type of estate agency – one that utilized technology to save customers time and money.’
Within a couple of months, Ruparelia had investors asking to buy shares in Doorsteps which led to an increased income in his business. Within a year, the company was already valued at over ten million and expanded his network rapidly.
This year, the online estate agency founder stepped down as CEO after five years of building his company as him and his fellow director had different strategic visions for the business. As a motivated individual, Ruparelia doesn’t plan to stop his career here and wishes to help young founders and start-ups reach their full potential with AKR Growth Ventures.
With years of knowledge in the market and first-hand experience, here’s some tips for entrepreneurs starting out that Ruparelia has constructed.
Test the market
Before diving straight into the deep end, Ruparelia recommends testing your concepts in a small target market before you’ve invested thousands.
Your passion is important
‘Follow your passion. Don’t replace this work for your passion but if you have it enough to follow it, you will make the time through better time management.’
Be sure of yourself
‘You define yourself as an entrepreneur. You think strategically, you find new ways and opportunities. You create more self-belief than ever before and keep going.’
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