Welcome to this interview series with Jesse Samberg, where we dive into the journeys of successful business owners. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Surya Sanchez, the founder of DeepIdea Lab. Surya’s business journey began as a young backpacker turned digital nomad, eventually leading him to start his own business specializing in automating e-commerce operations. Join us as Surya shares his insights on overcoming challenges, embracing automation, and preparing his business for the future. Let’s get started.
Interviewee Name: Surya Sanchez
Company: DeepIdea Lab
Interview Host: Jesse Samberg
The Interview
Let’s get started. First, we’d like to know more about how you started your business journey
Surya Sanchez : Hi Jesse, my journey started as a young backpacker turned digital nomad. To sustain my travels, I began freelancing online, doing websites and marketing. The desire to not just work but also create and manage led me to start my own business, inspired by insights from books and conferences. This marked the transition from freelancer to business owner, aiming for a lifestyle business that allows me to explore without being tied down to the work myself.
Reflecting on your business history, what stands out as the single greatest challenge you’ve successfully navigated, and how did you overcome it?
Surya Sanchez : Our main challenge was covering all time zones with a small team spread globally, from Asia to the US. As we specialize in automating e-commerce businesses, ensuring quality delivery across time zones was crucial. We overcame this through internal automation, enabling efficient project management and seamless communication among developers worldwide.
Businesses often face ongoing challenges. What does your business consistently grapple with, and how do you tackle these challenges head-on?
Surya Sanchez : We adopt the Kaizen principle, continuously addressing and tracking issues while implementing changes to prevent recurrence. This approach, coupled with automation, helps us reduce human error, ensuring quick fixes aren’t just temporary but lead to lasting improvements in our operations.
Can you share with us the most unforgettable story involving a customer or client? What made it memorable, and what lessons did you draw from the experience?
Surya Sanchez : One memorable success was automating over half of an e-commerce business’s operations, significantly streamlining their processes from online sales to returns. This not only facilitated their growth without hiring more staff but also exemplified the power of automation in modern business.
Looking ahead, what are your current plans for your business when you retire?
Surya Sanchez : I’m focused on making myself replaceable to ensure the business thrives even without me. Leveraging automation and AI, the goal is to have the business run independently, continuing to grow and innovate.
Navigating the small business landscape can be both challenging and rewarding. Can you share a bit about the specific hurdles you’ve encountered in areas like sales, marketing, and adapting to changing customer trends?
Surya Sanchez : The key to navigating the small business landscape is embracing the latest technology, particularly AI. Regularly reviewing and updating the tools we use, from CRMs to project management software, ensures we’re always at the cutting edge, streamlining operations and staying competitive.
Leaders Perception magazine would like to thank Surya Sanchez and “DeepIdea Lab” for the time dedicated to completing this interview and sharing their valuable insights with our readers!
Interested in connecting with the host of this interview series? Feel free to reach out to Jesse Samberg on LinkedIn: Jesse Samberg’s LinkedIn Profile