Rajeeb Dey is the Founder and CEO of Learnerbly a platform that curates the highest quality learning recommendations from world-leading experts.
12 Questions for Founder & CEO of Learnerbly Rajeeb Dey
Rajeeb has taken time out of his schedule to talk to AGENT about his Business, his goals and work life balance
1. Briefly tell us how you first got into business, and describe your business goals.
2. What age were you when you realised you wanted to run your own business?
I’ve started running things since the age of 17 when I founded the English Secondary Students’ Association (ESSA) now known as Student Voice to give school students a voice in their education. I subsequently went on to start Enternships a platform to connect startups and SMEs to interns and graduates whilst studying at University and Co-founded StartUp Britain a national campaign for enterprise launched by Prime Minister David Cameron in 2011 prior to launching my current venture Learnerbly.
3. Who are your business icons and inspirations?
Entrepreneurs who used business to also create positive social change for example the late Dame Anita Roddick who used Body Shop as a platform to campaign for a range of issues. In general I find Gandhi’s quote “Be the change you wish to see in the world” the most inspiring and something I live by – if you are frustrated by something or wish something were different then do something about it. We all have the ability to make a difference and are only ever limited by our own imaginations and willpower to take action.
4. What has been your biggest challenge in business, and how did you surmount it?
When I started out as an entrepreneur after University I didn’t go out and raise external capital and so had to ‘bootstrap’ for quite some time with Enternships and therefore it was tempting to take large contracts which would bring in significant revenue however didn’t allow for the product innovation and investment I’d necessary have wanted if we had the freedom through external funding to focus on building just the product. Therefore when it came to Learnerbly I raised a significant seed round of funding to give the runway needed to innovate and invest on building a fully scalable global product driven business which was announced earlier this week.
5. What gives you the most satisfaction in business?
Making a positive difference and hearing directly from people whose lives have in some way been affected by something I’ve done. This maybe someone who found an internship or job via Enternships; an employee who we’ve introduced to some amazing learning opportunities via Learnerbly or someone who has been inspired to become an entrepreneur as a result of StartUp Britain.
6. Work-Life balance: is it possible? How do you achieve it?
I don’t see a demarcation between work and life per se. I don’t see what I do as work and believe in the words of Confucius who said “find a job you love and never work a day in your life.” That said I believe in the importance of balance and well-being so ensure I make time for friends, family and looking after myself and health but my work gives me energy and excites me so Monday mornings are never a chore!
7. What is the first thing you do every day?
Check my phone.
8. What screen saver picture is currently on your phone?
9. What is the most important app on your mobile phone, and why?
10. What is the last thing you googled?
11. What item do you never leave the house without, and why?
My phone – i’d be lost without it – quite literally need to know where i’m going and also conduct 80% of my business on it!
12. What advice would you give to your younger self starting out in business?
Whilst I don’t have any regrets or wouldn’t do anything different per se I perhaps would ensure I reminded myself that it’s a long journey, to not be so hard on myself and enjoy the ride come what may.
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