Biography of Mehak Sagar: Co-founders of WedMeGood- Indian Entrepreneur
Biography of Mehak Sagar:
Mehak Sagar, one of the co-founders of WedMeGood, has built
an impressive career in both finance and entrepreneurship. Before she helped
establish WedMeGood, Mehak worked with renowned companies like American Express
and GlaxoSmithKline. Her educational background is equally noteworthy, with a
Master’s degree in Economics from the Delhi School of Economics, which she
completed between 2007 and 2009.
Educational Background
Her academic journey began earlier at Lady Sri Ram College
under Delhi University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Economics
from 2004 to 2007. This solid foundation in economics paved the way for her
diverse professional experiences and eventual success in the startup world.
Starting Out in Finance and Marketing
Mehak’s career began with ICICI Bank, where she was a
Management Trainee in the Business Intelligence Unit from 2009 to March 2010.
There, she focused on econometric modeling and marketing analytics using SAS.
Her very first professional experience was a summer internship in marketing at
GlaxoSmithKline in 2008, which gave her initial exposure to the corporate
world.
Building Expertise in Risk Analytics
Before launching her own startup, Mehak built a solid
foundation in risk analytics. She worked at American Express for nearly four
years, starting as a Business Analyst in March 2010. Her role evolved from
analyzing data and risk modeling to becoming an Assistant Manager in Risk
Analytics by August 2011, and eventually a Manager in the same department by April
2013.
Innovating Wedding Planning
Mehak Sagar's career journey is a fascinating one. She
co-founded WedMeGood in February 2014, which has become a leading platform for
wedding planning in India. WedMeGood is revolutionizing how weddings are
organized in the country, making the process more accessible and streamlined
for couples.
The Birth of Wed Me Good
In 2014, Mehak Sagar, alongside her husband Anand Shahani,
embarked on a journey to create Wed Me Good. What started as a personal passion
project has blossomed into a leading platform for Indian weddings. Wed Me Good
stands out as a carefully curated resource for everything related to weddings,
offering personalized recommendations for services and products. Mehak, who
holds a master’s degree in economics, transitioned from running a successful
blog, Peaches and Blushes, to building this comprehensive wedding portal. She
believes that the dedication they put into their work is what truly distinguishes
them in the industry.
The Essence of Wed Me Good
Wed Me Good has grown into India’s largest wedding portal,
offering a wide range of services to help couples discover, book, and review
wedding vendors. The platform features everything from Mehndi artists to candid
photographers, complete with reviews and ratings to assist families in finding
the perfect match for their special day. Currently, Wed Me Good earns revenue
through its featured vendors, but Mehak and Anand plan to explore additional
revenue streams, including advertising and wedding planning services, in the
future.
Securing Early Success
The platform's success was further bolstered by securing Rs
2.7 crore in seed funding, led by notable investors Hemant Kanakia and Alok
Mittal from the Indian Angel Network (IAN). This financial backing has provided
Wed Me Good with the resources needed to expand and enhance their offerings,
solidifying their position as a top choice for wedding planning in India.
Biography of Mehak Sagar: Co-founders of WedMeGood- Indian Entrepreneur/ Startup/Investor/Journey of Mehak Sagar/Success Story of WedMeGood/Story
Navigating the Wedding Market
Mehak Sagar Shahani, co-founder of WedMeGood, points out
that the wedding market in India is enormous, estimated at $40 billion, but
online involvement is still limited. She highlights that the industry has
traditionally lagged in tech adoption. However, over the past four years, there
has been a noticeable shift towards greater online trust and app usage. This
sector is ripe for technological innovation due to its current disorganization.
Embracing Unique Selling Propositions
Mehak emphasizes the importance of having a unique selling
proposition (USP) in the wedding industry. WedMeGood’s USP lies in its
user-generated content—every photo on the platform is contributed by real
brides or wedding professionals. This reliance on genuine user reviews helps
future brides make well-informed decisions, setting WedMeGood apart from its
competitors.
Keeping Up with Trends
The wedding industry is constantly evolving, and Mehak notes
several emerging trends. Smaller, more intimate weddings are gaining
popularity, with couples opting for personalized experiences over large
gatherings. Residential weddings, where families relocate to a resort in their
own city for the celebrations, are also on the rise. Staying updated with these
trends allows WedMeGood to cater effectively to the changing preferences of
couples.
Building Strong Partnerships
According to Mehak, the wedding business thrives on strong
partnerships. WedMeGood’s revenue model is deeply intertwined with the success
of their vendor partners. The platform’s revenue is linked to the earnings of
these vendors, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship. This collaborative
approach provides valuable insights and growth opportunities for both parties
involved.
Managing Revenue and Growth
Initially, Mehak and Anand used Google Adsense and media
networks to generate revenue from their website. As their traffic grew, they
diversified their revenue streams, finding success without overwhelming their
users with intrusive ads. They remain open to exploring new strategies to
enhance their revenue and continue to seek innovative opportunities for growth.
A timeline summarizing Mehak Sagar's career journey and the
development of WedMeGood:
1984–2003: Early Life and Education
2004-2007: Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Lady Sri Ram
College, Delhi University.
2007-2009: Master’s degree in Economics from Delhi School of Economics.
Summer 2008: Marketing internship at GlaxoSmithKline.
2009–March 2010: Management Trainee in the Business
Intelligence Unit at ICICI Bank, focusing on econometric modeling and marketing
analytics.
March 2010–April 2013: Various roles at American Express, starting
as a Business Analyst, progressing to Assistant Manager, and then Manager in
Risk Analytics.
February 2014: Co-founded WedMeGood with Anand Shahani,
launching it as a platform for wedding planning in India.
2014: Transitioned from running a blog, Peaches and Blushes,
to building WedMeGood.
2014–Present: WedMeGood grows to become India's largest
wedding portal, offering a range of services for discovering, booking, and
reviewing wedding vendors.
Early 2014: Secured Rs 2.7 crore in seed funding from Indian
Angel Network (IAN) investors Hemant Kanakia and Alok Mittal.
2016: Observed a shift in the wedding industry towards
increased online engagement and technological innovation.
2020s: Emphasized emerging trends like smaller, intimate
weddings and residential celebrations, and built strong partnerships with
wedding vendors.
Initial Phase: Generated revenue through Google Adsense and
media networks.
Ongoing: Diversified revenue streams, avoided intrusive ads,
and continued to explore new strategies for growth.
This timeline captures the key milestones in Mehak Sagar's
career and the evolution of WedMeGood.
