PEARL LEMON INTERVIEWS:
A Fireside Chat
I had the opportunity to have an amazing conversation with Sartaj Singh Ahuja at Narra8ive today. From talking about SEO for marketing sites, Sartaj Singh agreed to a quick interview.
He took the time to talk to me and answer some questions so I could get to know him better and hear more about the things that have helped shape his business success to date – let’s get stuck into it!
What Is The Book (Or Books) You’ve Given Most As A Gift, And Why?
The one book that I’ve gifted the most is “Never Split the Difference” by Chris Voss. It’s a book which teaches the art of negotiation. It’s the best there is. Period. The books that have greatly influenced my are by Esther and Jerry hicks, they have about 3 to 4 books, and I’d say read all of them! Then thank me after you pick your jaw off the floor!
What Purchase Of $100 Or Less Has Most Positively Impacted Your Life In The Last Six Months?
Apart from things I’d say its the books that I”ve really buoyed me in the last 6 months. Books on Sikh martial history and the Sikh Kingdom are the ones that really informed me about my own culture and have helped me shape my character after these exceedingly extraordinary individuals!
When You Feel Overwhelmed Or Unfocused, Or Have Lost Your Focus Temporarily, What Do You Do?
I find a quiet place and meditate! Think Nothing and resume a positive momentum ensue. Then I’d take a pen and a pad and write down everything I like about my life. The business I’m in, the people I’m around and how far I’ve come in life.
What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession or area of expertise?
Referrals are a dependable source of clientele. They totally aren’t dependable. One totally needs to be in control on their sales pipeline, and if that springs a stream of referrals, then that’s a plus. It can’t be your primary source.
be practical and focus on your career.
- Sartaj Singh Ahuja
In the last five years, what new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved your life?
In the last 5 years, I’ve grown exponentially as a person. The one thing that I’ve inculcated in my psyche is “positive expectation”. Expect good thing from life, expect things to go your way and they WILL. It’s the law.
What Is One Of The Best Or Most Worthwhile Investments You’ve Ever Made?
I invested a lot in my partners. Today I don’t have to worry about a “work/life” balance because my days are SO fun! Time just passes by. Work doesn’t feel like work at all, and my business exploded! Fun times!
If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it — what would it say and why?
“Thoughts become Things” – Abraham Hicks. I’d leave it at that. It’ll sort your whole life out and save all the money that one would’ve spent in therapy.
What careers advice would you give to your 21-year old self?
There are two schools of thoughts that they have to consider. The first one says be practical and focus on your career and then branch out into a passion project. The second one says, do what makes you feel good. My advice is go for the latter!
How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success? Do you have a “favourite failure” of yours?
I went bankrupt at the age of 23! The best age to lose it all, in my opinion, lol but that’s when I realised a whole lot of things that ultimately lead to a way better financial year.
What advice would you give to a smart, driven college student about to enter the “real world”? What advice should they ignore?
The best advice is don’t take advice, don’t take my word for it, Drake said this! If you “feel” that this IS what I want to do, no matter what it is. Just go for it. Leap and the net WILL appear.
Tell Us About Your Business. What Does It Do And What Value Do You Add?
I run a marketing and IT company. What we do is straighten out the entire backend of the clients business. The backend marketing yields a return on the front end marketing dollars and the communication infrastructure of the business streamlines the business operations, which in turn informs the entire marketing mix.
What is the most significant thing that someone much younger than yourself has taught you?
Happiness. The kids truly have happiness figured out.
Tell us about someone you admire and why you admire them?
Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The great of the Sikh Empire. The man rose to the occasion at 17 years old. Unified the people and created the strongest empire in all of Asia at the time and warded off the brits. BBC names him the finest king in the last 500 years I believe. Read about him!
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Producing music. Direct music videos. Design concerts. That would be FIRE!
Where do you see your industry in the next 5 years?
In an exceedingly competitive space. Today the market is so spaced out that everyone can eat. In the next 5 years, you have to offer something that can’t be automated with tech. Your USP will have to be creativity which can be readily monetised.
When did you first become a rebel?
I was working a lowly job in the finance company, the pay was peanuts, so I wanted to quit. Dad had a wholesale and manufacturing business on the up and up, but I quit the job and didn’t join dad’s company. I started my own thing with no capital, no help, no mentor and well no laptop. I started with nothing and made something!
About Us
Pearl Lemon are an SEO, PPC, PR, and B2B lead-generation agency. We are based in London but service clients around the world.
We have taken the time to interview entrepreneurs and experts (like Sartaj) in this new series.
