Reena Pandya
Hello, I am Reena Pandya, Owner & Creative Director of 78inc. I have been working ever since I was 13 years old and have years of experience in a variety of fields, all of which have enabled me to have a holistic understanding of business as a whole.
I was born and raised in Tanzania and have completed a Degree in IT and a Diploma in Psychology. In 2016, I was selected as a Mandela Washington Fellow and attended the University of Notre Dame (specializing in Business and Entrepreneurship). I am also an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK) and hold several certifications in African leadership, social media, and digital media. I previously single-handedly won a continent-wide award in social media and I also won several sporting awards during high school. I’m a fan of sushi, horror movies, puppies, and conspiracy theories.
Tell us all about your company. What services do you offer?
We call ourselves a transformative agency. 78inc initially started off as a marketing agency but we soon realized that we could add value to our customers by introducing additional business and sales strategies.
We now offer holistic packages to all our clients for any and all business requirements. To list a few: brand identity, business consultancy, sales strategy, campaign management, event management, branding, promotional items, photography/videography, website and app development, 3D design, digital services, social media management.
Company Name: 78inc
Location: Dar es-Salaam, Tanzania
Operating since: 2019
Website: www.78inc.co
Socials: 78inc (FB), @78tanzania (IG), @78tanzania (TW)
Tell us a bit about your co-founder.
My co-founder was previously my boss for 7 years. His name is Aashiq Shariff and he prefers to go by “Chief Happiness Officer”. When I decided to launch my business, we had a discussion and he decided to come on board as my partner. We play very similar roles but he has strength in business development which greatly compliments my skill set.
How did you get the idea or concept for your company? What was your mission at the outset?
Being in the marketing industry for so long, I was always facing challenges working with agencies. Deadlines were never met, quality was always subpar, creativity was always lacking. My idea was to eliminate the struggle by creating an agency where these issues would not exist, in turn, providing efficient and affordable service.
Growing up, did you always intend to start your own company/organization?
My first “business” was selling glitter water on my street when I was 5 years old! That lasted a day - until my dad came and told me to get back inside the house, but I would say yes, I always intended on having my own business someday.
How have your past personal & professional experiences helped you to run your company?
Twenty-plus years in a variety of industries has equipped me with a deeper understanding of business and marketing. I currently apply all my knowledge to all aspects of my business.
What is the biggest personal / professional obstacle you've had to overcome?
Learning patience. When you provide a service and you own the company, you will come across a lot of negative clients who aren’t always polite. I’ve been yelled at, sworn at, and been threatened all while having to manage the situation in a polite and professional manner.
What's your definition of success? Do you consider yourself a success? If not, when will you?
I know where I’ve come from so yeah, whatever I have today, to me is a success. In simple words, I would say success is never giving up.
Have the women around you helped you to rise?
Yes and no. I’ve not always had strong women around me but I am determined and I think differently. Personally, I love supporting my fellow females purely because we already have a lot stacked against us.
What are some of your future plans? Are you working on anything else right now?
Expansion. I want more branches globally. We already have a number of international clients but someday I want to see branches of my business across continents.
What advice would you give to a woman starting out in your industry or starting her own company/organization?
Do your research. My business plan was 7 years in the making. I didn’t just wake up one day and launch. That strategy may work for some people but I feel it is important to understand all aspects of an industry before you jump right in.
Describe yourself in ONE word. Ninja.
Complete this sentence: "To be a girl or woman today is..." The future.