Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Harsh Thakkar, CEO of Qualtivate, located in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Qualtivate is a data-driven quality and regulatory compliance management consulting firm for growth-focused life science companies.
We use a phase-appropriate quality management system (QMS) building framework that:
• Provides full product data, processes, systems, and people transparency.
• Automates performance monitoring and quality management reviews.
• Embeds compliance within flexible, user-friendly, organically built processes.
• Reduces the organization's quality costs by automating data collection, analysis, trending, and reporting.
We achieve this for our clients by leveraging our expertise in using no-code/low-code tools, automation software, AI tools, data science, and predictive analytics to achieve organizational excellence through quality.

Tell us about yourself

During my career doing quality assurance and regulatory compliance work, I got to work at some amazing companies such as Johnson and Johnson, Merck, Takeda, Biogen, and more in bringing life-changing therapies to patients. I noticed most functional areas within a life science company were leveraging best-in-class technology. But I feel many companies miss a massive opportunity to leverage technology to manage the quality assurance and regulatory compliance function. With the rise of Quality 4.0 tools such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Enabling technologies, and Data Science practices, I became intrigued with leveraging these tools to increase the speed and quality of decision-making in a competitive industry like life sciences. An opportunity to work with clients on projects that are at the intersection of emerging trends in life sciences and technology is what motivates me every day.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Given that my business is yet to complete its first year of operations, my biggest accomplishment is serving our first five clients in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology space. I've built valuable relationships with clients and industry partners and learned a great deal to apply toward the next few years of our journey.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

The hardest thing so far has been trying to juggle between running my business and family life. I have a toddler at home, so there are unexpected circumstances where I have to drop what I am doing to be with family. I'm learning to create time to recharge and reflect daily, so I can wake up and operate at peak levels.
Another hard part of being a business owner is saying no to people. I get too many emails with partnerships, joint business ideas, and other interesting and useful opportunities. I have to say no because my primary focus is on executing my vision and plans for Qualtivate.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

1. Start today. Even if you're going to do it on the side of your daytime job, don't wait and be obsessed with planning. Get your first customer and make your first dollar.

2. Don't stop learning. Many entrepreneurs give up on their idea because they think “someone else is already working on it” or they are afraid of failure. There is a high probability you will fail on the first or second attempt, but if you're learning and paying close attention to the signals, you will eventually find a way to succeed.

3. Always give more value than you take. Deliver a "wow" feeling to your customers by going slightly above and beyond your business competitors. Your happy customers will bring you your next set of customers and help your business build trust and gain visibility.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://qualtivate.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/harshvthakkar
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harshvthakkar/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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