Rajesh Chauhan Interview (YouStable Founder- Creating a Web Hosting Company, Fighting Anxiety)

We recently had the pleasure of interviewing Rajesh Chauhan, the founder of YouStable, a web hosting company based in India. During the interview, Rajesh discussed how he built his company from scratch, how he managed his team, and the difficulties he faced along the way. He also spoke about the importance of mental health and how he overcame his anxiety.

The pleasure of interviewing this young professional who provided valuable insights on acceptance and coping mechanisms when faced with challenges. He shared all his personal experiences and discussed the strategies he employed to overcome struggles.

Through this article you can get a glimpse into his perspective on overcoming anxiety disorders, emphasizing the importance of hard work, patience, support, seeking professional help, and making lifestyle changes.

Additionally, it highlights the significance of accepting and sharing struggles, prioritizing mental health, and finding effective coping mechanisms. The role of a supportive family and the freedom to make personal decisions at one’s own pace is also emphasized as essential factors contributing to mental well-being.

About Guest

Audio Podcast with Rajesh Chouhan

Video interview with Rajesh Chouhan

Rajesh Chouhan Interview

Rajesh, can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Rajesh: Sure, I am Rajesh Chauhan and I am from Lucknow city in India. I started my web hosting business in 2014-2015, and since then, we have grown to have a large number of customers and are doing really well.

Can you tell us more about YouStable and how did you build it to what it is today?

Rajesh: YouStable is a web hosting company that provides hosting solutions to individuals, small businesses, and large enterprises. We started the company in 2015 and we legally incorporated in the same year with just a few customers, and today we have more than 10,000 customers and revenue of 3cr plus.

How did you manage to grow the company and what were the challenges you faced along the way?

Rajesh: Well, it was not an easy journey. We faced a lot of challenges in the beginning, especially in terms of building a customer base and establishing a brand name. We started with a very small team, and the initial few years were very difficult.

But we were determined to make it work. We focused on providing quality services and excellent customer support, and slowly but steadily we started gaining customers. The biggest challenge we faced was during the Covid period, but we tackled it well and managed to grow even during that time.

Can you tell us more about how you managed the team and what were the difficulties that you faced?

Rajesh: Managing a team is never easy, especially when you are a startup. But we were lucky to have a very dedicated and hardworking team. We focused on building a positive work culture and providing a supportive environment for our team members.

However, we did face some difficulties in terms of hiring the right people and managing them effectively. But we learned from our mistakes and improved our hiring process to make sure that we only hire the best talent.

We focused on building a positive work culture and providing a supportive environment for our team members.

Rajesh Chouhan

You mentioned earlier that you had some deep conversations related to anxiety and mental pressures. Can you tell us more about that?

Rajesh: Yes, we did talk about it during the podcast. As an entrepreneur, there are a lot of mental pressures that you face, especially when you are starting a new business. There are times when you doubt yourself and your abilities, and it can be very challenging to overcome those feelings.

I think it’s important to talk about these issues openly and seek help when needed. We need to create a supportive environment for entrepreneurs, where they can talk about their struggles and get the support they need.

What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out as an entrepreneur?

Rajesh: My advice would be to stay focused, work hard, and never give up. Starting a new business is never easy, but if you are determined and passionate about what you do, you can achieve anything. Don’t be afraid to take risks, but make sure that you have a solid plan and strategy in place.

And most importantly, surround yourself with positive and supportive people who believe in you and your vision. With the right mindset and the right team, you can overcome any challenge and achieve great success.

“With the right mindset and the right team, you can overcome any challenge and achieve great success.”

Rajesh Chouhan

 Can you tell us about the year when you achieved breakthrough success?

Rajesh: We were doing well before the breakthrough, but it was during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019 and mid-2020 that we saw a golden period for our company. We had a roadmap in place for spending, funding, and advertising, and we tackled it all really well.

We claimed the opportunity, ran successful ads, and achieved a growth of 200% during that time. Since the beginning of 2022, we have had a team of 25+ members, including talented people from Lucknow, Kolkata, and Bangalore.

 Have you taken any funding for your company?

Rajesh: I have received funding offers, but I went through an anxiety phase and did not want any burden, so I avoided them. I believe that funding usually means working on someone else’s roadmap and following something that is not yours. So, we are on bootstrap, and that too on profits.

 Can you tell us about the challenges of starting a web hosting company?

Rajesh: Hosting is a cash-burning industry initially, and we did a lot of cash burning in 2019. However, without doing so, we wouldn’t have been able to generate the results we did, as there was no demand initially. But after the pandemic hit, demand increased significantly, as people wanted to start websites and blogs. We did research and pushed our services as per demand.

 How many active accounts do you have now?

Rajesh: We currently have 1000 active accounts, and we hope to achieve lakhs by the end of the year.

 What is your turnover?

Rajesh: Our turnover was around 3cr last year, and we have achieved significant growth this year. We reinvest all our revenues into improving our services, including support, hardware, infrastructure, and data centers.

 Can you tell us about the process of building your team?

Rajesh: Initially, we hired people through friends and family. I trained them and taught them everything they needed to know. As we grew, we felt the need to hire more people with specific skills. We first hired an HR person to tackle disputes and performance issues, then a separate department for billing, and gradually expanded into support and marketing.

 How do you manage mental health and anxiety while running a business?

Rajesh: Mental health and anxiety are serious issues, and I believe in taking care of myself and my team. It’s important to take a break when needed, and not to be afraid of seeking help. In the past, I went through an anxiety phase, but I overcame it by talking to my family and friends, and seeking professional help when needed. I believe that mental health is just as important

What is your advice on how to hire people for your business?

Rajesh: If you are not from a business background and lack expertise in hiring, the initial step should be to hire an HR, if you have the budget for it. The office environment and how rules are followed are crucial, and an HR plays a key role in ensuring that everything runs smoothly.

When it comes to hiring an HR, age is not a factor. What is important is that the HR knows how to handle situations effectively and can manage the team well without being overly dominant. A good HR should be able to maintain a balance between being authoritative and supportive, helping team members focus on their work.

“An HR plays a key role in ensuring that everything runs smoothly.”

Rajesh Chauhan

In your experience, how important is HR in team management?

Rajesh: HR is critical to team management. If an HR is not skilled or experienced enough, it can lead to complications in team management, which can ultimately impact the operations and scalability of the business. HR is not just about making jokes and having fun; it is a huge responsibility that requires specific skills and knowledge.

Can you share something about your family background?

Rajesh: My family comes from humble beginnings. My father used to work for only Rs.200 per month in 1992. It was a struggle, but we were a happy family of two brothers, two sisters, and our parents. My father eventually got a government job in the forest department in 2002, which significantly improved our standard of living.

Although we had limited resources, we were content and grateful for what we had. We always had a dream of accomplishing something in life, which ultimately led me to become an entrepreneur.

Can you tell us about your journey and what you have achieved so far?

Rajesh: Looking back, I have achieved a lot in my life. Whenever I feel down, I usually go shopping and get busy with it. It helps me to focus on my work again. I feel happy now, but sometimes you just say words, but you do not actually feel it. Life doesn’t happen as per your mind or what you say.

Can you tell us about a time when you faced a difficult situation and how you overcame it?

Rajesh: In 2016, I started a business and left my job. I invested a lot of money, but the business was not scaling as per my expectations. I started feeling anxious and thought of joining back the job. I went into treatment, and no one was able to understand anything. It was a difficult situation, and I was admitted to the hospital several times. The psychologist said I had an anxiety disorder, but I didn’t know the reason.

Can you describe what it feels like to have an anxiety disorder?

Rajesh: It was one of the worst experiences of my life. Anxiety is a condition that is hard to describe to someone who has never experienced it. It’s a debilitating feeling that takes over your entire body, and you’re unable to control it.

How do you manage to overcome your anxiety now?

Rajesh: I wish I had sought help earlier when I first started feeling anxious. I would advise anyone who is experiencing anxiety to seek help as soon as possible. It’s a serious issue that requires attention.

It was a combination of therapy and lifestyle changes that helped me overcome my anxiety disorder. I went through multiple therapy sessions with a psychologist, who acted as a friend to me and helped me understand the root cause of my anxiety.

 It was one of the worst experiences of my life. Anxiety is a condition that is hard to describe to someone who has never experienced it. It’s like suddenly waking up in the middle of the night, unable to breathe, and feeling like you’re having a heart attack. It’s a debilitating feeling that takes over your entire body, and you’re unable to control it.

Can you tell us more about the lifestyle changes that you made?

Rajesh: I made significant changes to my lifestyle, such as waking up early, going for walks, and eating a healthy diet.

These changes helped me to stay calm and focused, and I felt a lot better overall. I also made sure to take my medication as prescribed by my doctor and consulted with multiple professionals to ensure that I was getting the right treatment.

 What advice would you give to someone who is struggling with anxiety?

Rajesh: My advice would be to seek professional help immediately. Do not try to deal with it on your own. There is no shame in seeking help, and it is essential to have a support system to overcome anxiety.

Also, try to make lifestyle changes such as exercise and healthy eating habits, as these can significantly help in managing anxiety.

What advice would you give to others who are facing a difficult situation in their lives?

Rajesh: My advice is to keep pushing forward, even when it seems difficult. Seek help when you need it and don’t be afraid to ask for support from friends and family. Remember that there is always light at the end of the tunnel, and things will get better.

You mentioned that companies should talk more about mental health. Can you elaborate on that

Rajesh: Layoffs and other job-related stressors can take a toll on mental health. It’s important for companies to acknowledge this and create a supportive environment.

There should be resources available for employees who need it, such as counseling or support groups. It’s time for companies to prioritize their employees’ mental health.

What are some coping mechanisms that you have found helpful?

Rajesh: Deep breathing exercises have been very helpful for me. Also, waking up early and listening to morning affirmations sets a positive tone for the day. These things don’t guarantee that everything will go smoothly, but they help me stay positive and focused. It’s important to find what works for you and incorporate it into your daily routine.

Can you talk about your family’s support during difficult times?

Rajesh: My family has been incredibly supportive throughout my life. Financially, we weren’t well-off, but my mother worked hard to ensure that we could afford basic necessities and education.

Whenever I’m stressed or going through a tough time, my mother feels it too. It’s important to have a support system during difficult times, and I’m grateful for my family’s unwavering support.

Who is the hero of your life? The one who has inspired you?

Rajesh:  I cannot name a particular person as the hero of my life. I feel every person has a role in your life. There are my friends who are in different situations and they are my heroes.

In my family, my brothers, father, and my sisters are my heroes. So it depends on the situation, and for a particular time, everyone is a hero for you. This is how the multiverse is created.

What are your views on AI and ChatGPT?

Rajesh: AI has a lot of scope in the future. Medical field or the hosting is going to use AI in many forms. In your field, which is blogging and video editing, there is a lot of use for AI. Thumbnail or the content generation is totally AI-Based. I think no one has achieved this much growth so fast.

What are your opinions on crypto?

Rajesh: I know crypto when it was around $50-$100. When talking about investment, I haven’t done it, I have used it only for transactions. I never used it for investment purposes.

How much have you invested in the stock market?

Rajesh: In the stock market investment, I invest in companies which I personally know. In some cases, situations get worse. I used to do shopping from Big Bazaar, I invested in it and the money was totally lost. It was approx. 12 lakh rupees, some of it was my money and some of it was from my friends.

Some companies have given me unexpected results. Some companies are good, some are showing on and off profit and loss. If you have expectations, then you need to increase the capacity of the risks too.

Can you tell us about a difficult moment in your business and how you overcame it?

Rajesh: There have been difficult moments in my business, particularly when my friends were not focused on growth and were involved with third parties. It’s tough when you know something is wrong, but you’re close to them and can’t say anything.

As an emotional person, it’s been the most difficult thing for me. Removing someone from the team is a hard decision, and I struggle with it. But sometimes, it’s necessary for the betterment of the company.

What advice would you give to someone looking to start a web hosting company?

Rajesh: My advice is that you should have prior experience in web hosting or have worked for a web hosting company. If you want to start on your own, then you need to have someone on your team who is technical, along with expertise in finance, management, and marketing.

It’s also essential to conduct thorough market research and analysis since the competition in the market has increased significantly.

Can you share any final thoughts on the current business landscape?

Rajesh: With the advancement of technology and the availability of resources, it’s easier to start a business now than ever before. But, with that comes increased competition, making it challenging to stand out in the market. The key is to have a unique selling proposition and focus on quality customer service. By doing this, you can differentiate yourself from the competition and build a loyal customer base.

What was the factor that you think helped you grow your business?

Rajesh: One factor of growth that we believe in is listening to our customers. We improved ourselves based on feedback from friends and customers.

Can you share with us how much you spend on advertising?

Rajesh: We have downsized our advertising budget because we were not able to get conversions out of it. Previously, we were spending lakhs.

What’s your philosophy of life in three words?

Rajesh: “Always give your best”. No matter what you do, always give your best.

Rajesh Chouhan Audio Interview

If you want to listen here’s the audio podcast.

Conclusion

Rajesh Chauhan shared insights into how he built YouStable from the ground up. Starting with limited resources and a small team, he navigated the challenges associated with establishing a customer base and creating brand recognition. These initial years proved to be particularly demanding for the company.

During the interview, Rajesh also shed light on his approach to team management. He likely discussed strategies he employed to motivate and lead his team effectively. This aspect is crucial in any organization, as a strong and cohesive team can significantly contribute to the success of a company.

Additionally, Rajesh opened up about the difficulties he faced along his entrepreneurial journey. The paragraph doesn’t go into specific details, but these challenges could encompass a range of obstacles, such as financial constraints, market competition, technological hurdles, or regulatory issues. Overcoming these hurdles is a common aspect of building a business, and Rajesh’s experiences likely provided valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Furthermore, Rajesh emphasized the significance of mental health in his interview. He discussed how he personally dealt with anxiety and conquered it. This aspect highlights the importance of addressing mental well-being in the entrepreneurial world. Rajesh’s openness about his own struggles may inspire others to prioritize their mental health and seek appropriate support while pursuing their goals.

You can share your views related with this interview in the comment box below.