“The learning here was the only way to build the best product is to talk to the customers and keep doing the best for them,” says Gupta. The privacy offered by that audio-only medium led to further growth, inspiring Gupta to then offer a text-only option that further helped AstroTalk’s reach and retention. However, talking to customers revealed that they preferred an audio-only option, which AstroTalk then started offering.
For example, AstroTalk initially offered only offered consultation services over video. Secondly, an almost obsessive need to “serve the customer in the best possible way” is crucial, adds Gupta. There are a lot of self-proclaimed astrologers in the market, so it takes about 5-7 interviews to identify the right astrologer,” says Gupta. We get thousands of CVs from across India but less than 5% of the entrants can clear our interview process. “The biggest challenge for us right from the beginning till date is to find genuine astrologers. These astrologers needed not just a deep understanding of astrology, but also empathy and understanding that could translate well in audio conversations or text-based chats.
To bring astrology services to a modern, smartphone-led world, Gupta’s first challenge was to hire capable astrologers whom people could trust. In a span of four years, the app has served over two crore customers, says Guptaīuilding a 24/7 astrology helpline isn’t easy Stunned by the turn of events, and the accuracy of his colleague’s predictions, Gupta turned believer and was inspired to bring these services to everyone via an app. Inspired by her words, Gupta quit, created a startup, and it subsequently went downhill from March 2017 when his partner left. However, she went on to add that Gupta would then create another, more successful startup soon after, which would grow exponentially till 2026. Gupta’s colleague predicted that he’d quit his job and go on to found a successful startup, but by April 2017, that startup would falter owing to the departure of his partner. Initially resistant to the idea, but swayed by his colleague's firm belief in her abilities, Gupta relented. An entrepreneur at heart, Gupta was unhappy with the job and wanted to move on, but felt that he couldn’t risk a steady income for yet another risky proposition.Ī senior colleague of his, seeing his dilemma, offered him an astrology reading. In 2015, Gupta was employed as an engineer, a job he’d taken up following the bankruptcy of his previous startup. An uncannily accurate prediction in 2015, he says, turned his life around and convinced him of the effectiveness of astrology. Puneet Gupta, the founder of AstroTalk, began life as a non-believer. For a fee, these astrologers provide all the astrological services one needs, and in whatever medium you’re comfortable receiving the service in, be it text, audio, or video. This is where a startup like AstroTalk comes in, offering customers real-time access to over 1,500 vetted astrologers any time of the day or night. Millions continue to seek the services of astrologers even today, in a bustling, 24x7 world, relying on astrology to shed light on an uncertain future.Īs with most things in 2021, access to such services isn’t easy for many who seek guidance but between juggling work and home, lack the time to accommodate such services. How a true astrologer's prediction made this engineer a millionaire: AstrotalkĪstrology has been an integral part of Indian culture for hundreds, if not thousands of years.