(This interview first appeared in beststartup.co.uk).

Amar Rajani: Helping Companies Scale and Execute Their Business Goals Whilst Accelerating Customer Sales Revenue

Tell us about yourself

I enjoyed the entrepreneurial nature when I first worked at a well known fintech firm, and found that as companies grow, it is hard to maintain this sense of entrepreneurial spirit. I started Argella as a way to help both founders and companies that were in need of help to scale, or navigate digital transformation. I started focusing on what I knew, using my knowledge of research and capital markets to advise financial sector firms. This broadened to other industries and companies, including other technology companies that connect businesses with their customers, manage online digital reputation and risk, and digital financial planning.

If you could go back in time a year or two, what piece of advice would you give yourself?

Start thinking about the value of my business from a valuation perspective, as it is not just about growth or revenue.

What problem does your business solve?

We bring experience and expertise to start-up or established firms that need to pivot or scale rapidly, where they do not have the necessary skills to do this themselves. Typically, we help solve for issues for companies around product, business development, strategy and / or operational matters.

What is the inspiration behind your business?

I enjoyed the entrepreneurial nature when I first worked at a well known fintech firm, and found that as companies grow, it is hard to maintain this sense of entrepreneurial spirit. I started Argella as a way to help both founders and companies that were in need of help to scale, or navigate digital transformation.

What is your magic sauce?

Once making the decision to onboard a new client, I stand firm on investing and believing in a company’s growth when I work with them for the long term. That’s why Argella is a stakeholder in over half of the companies we work with. Entrepreneurs often come to me with a wealth of innovative ideas, and the potential to build a great product, and I take pride in doing all I can to take their company to the next level.

What is the plan for the next 5 years? What do you want to achieve?

The honest answer is I don’t have a five year plan. It is a way for businesses and employees to feel good and secure about their future. When businesses have a plan, they think that means they know what will happen. I am typically working with companies that are doing something new or going through a transformation or change. Being agile with the companies that I work with is far more important and impactful. I do know that I want to achieve value in my business and ensure that I enjoy what I do and work with people that are passionate about their business.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?

When I work with clients, they want me and they get me. Other consultancies will typically have a senior partner lead a pitch and then have associates carry out most of the work for their client, whilst they act in a supervisory capacity. This is probably the biggest challenge I have faced so far in order to have a sustainable and scaleable business. As a result, taking on additional resources to support non-client related work is the first step in solving for this.

How do people get involved/buy into your vision?

It is a mutual decision. I have to believe in the people and companies that I work with. That they have a product or service that has value, where I can help take them to the next level. Likewise, they have to believe that I can help them build or improve their product, process, operational or commercial success. It is important we both buy in to each others vision and are aligned in our approach in order to ensure a successful outcome and have some fun along the way. If you are a fintech, SasS, data or online platform provider requiring strategic, tactical or commercial support for your business, then please reach out.