In the bustling cityscape of New York, where competition is fierce and innovation is constant, Shaan Arora is carving out his own unique path in the tech world. As the co-founder and CEO of Alia, Shaan’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, creativity, and the willingness to embrace challenges head-on. At just 23 years old, he has already demonstrated an entrepreneurial acumen that many seasoned business leaders would envy.

A Vision Born from Necessity

Shaan’s entrepreneurial journey began not with a grandiose vision but with a simple, relatable problem: helping his mother sell Indian clothing online. “My mom used to sell Indian clothes in person,” Shaan recalls. “She did quite well in person, but when she moved her business online to Shopify, her conversion rate plummeted. I quickly realized that the issue was her inability to convey her story and educate customers online as effectively as she did in person.”

This challenge sparked an idea in Shaan’s mind: a platform that could bridge the gap between in-person sales and online conversions through gamified education. This idea led to the birth of Alia, a B2B SaaS company that helps e-commerce brands educate their customers and tell their stories more effectively online. “We offer gamified education that allows site visitors to learn about a brand’s mission, story, and the educational aspects of its products, and we reward them for learning,” he explains. “It’s a unique approach, and we’re the only company doing this.”

From a Personal Project to a Growing Business

What started as a personal project to help his mother’s business has now grown into a company with over 300 clients, and it’s only been a year since its inception. Shaan and his co-founders, who all graduated from college just a year ago, have built Alia from the ground up without any external funding. “We’re fully bootstrapped,” Shaan says proudly. “We’ve grown about 400% over the past three months in terms of revenue, and it’s been a good year for us.”

Shaan’s decision to bootstrap Alia rather than seek venture capital is a calculated one. “I’d rather build something myself and then maybe go to a VC and say, ‘Hey, we have 300 brands, we’ve been crushing it. Do you want to join our train?’” he explains. “I wanted to learn the ropes first, to understand the e-commerce landscape, and to make sure that we were building something sustainable.”

This approach has not only allowed Shaan and his team to retain full control over their company, but it has also taught them valuable lessons about resourcefulness and creativity. “If we had raised a million dollars six months ago, we might have just thrown money at situations,” he reflects. “But because we didn’t have that kind of money, we had to get creative, and I think that’s really important, especially at my age.”

Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship

Despite their success, Shaan is candid about the challenges of entrepreneurship, particularly when it comes to scaling the business while maintaining the same level of customer care. “The biggest challenge is going to be how we scale,” he admits. “With this many clients, it’s already getting hard to answer support queries and ensure each client feels as valued as the first ten did.”

Shaan believes that the key to overcoming this challenge lies in hiring the right people—individuals who share the team’s passion and commitment to customer satisfaction. “We need to find people who really care too,” he says. “That’s going to be critical as we grow.”

Another significant challenge has been the dynamic of working with co-founders, especially in a high-pressure environment. However, Shaan considers himself fortunate to have a strong, respectful relationship with his co-founders, whom he has known since his college days. “Respect and democracy are the biggest killers,” he says. “I respect my co-founders, and we make decisions together, democratically. I think that’s the only way you can be successful as a founding trio.”

The Power of Bootstrapping and Personal Selling

One of the most surprising lessons Shaan has learned on his entrepreneurial journey is the power of word-of-mouth marketing. “I didn’t expect that word of mouth would just happen,” he says. “But if your product is good and you’re good to your customers, you don’t need to do a crazy amount of marketing. A lot of stuff will just happen naturally.”

Shaan has also discovered the effectiveness of personal selling, particularly as a co-founder. “There’s a lot of power in being the co-founder on a sales call,” he explains. “Customers like talking to someone who’s deeply involved in the product, and it helps build trust. I didn’t realize that at first, but now I lean into it.”

For Shaan, selling is about connecting on a human level. “Sell with your heart,” he advises. “People respond to passion and authenticity. If you love what you’re doing and you communicate that, people will want to work with you.”

Looking Ahead: Growth and Ambition

As Shaan looks to the future, his goals for Alia are ambitious, yet he remains open to various possibilities. “I don’t want to confine ourselves to any definition right now,” he says. “We’re building something cool, and we have a vision for how we want to grow and scale. Whether that leads to acquisition or something else, we’ll see. But I’ll be a founder for life, whether with Alia or another company.”

Shaan’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and a deep commitment to learning and growth. His journey from helping his mother’s small business to running a rapidly growing tech company is a powerful reminder that entrepreneurship is not just about having a great idea; it’s about execution, adaptability, and the willingness to tackle challenges head-on.

For other young entrepreneurs, Shaan’s advice is clear: “Build first, raise later. Learn the ropes, get creative, and don’t be afraid to bootstrap your way to success. It’s tough, but the lessons you learn along the way are invaluable.”

As Shaan and his team continue to scale Alia, their story is sure to inspire others who are navigating the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing business landscape.