Success stories often emerge from humble beginnings, and Saumitra Dixit’s journey from a school student earning $200 a month to the founder of a 16-crore ($2 million) agency is nothing short of inspiring. It’s a tale of ambition, resilience, and a clear vision for what’s possible when determination meets strategy.
The Early Days: Freelancing as a School Student
Growing up, Saumitra discovered the world of freelancing at an early age. As a school student, he began earning somewhere around $200 to $300 a month by providing digital services. At that stage, this income was more than enough for a young student.
However, this comfort zone came with its own limitations. Saumitra recalls:
“I put myself into a cage, a boundary where I was content with what I was earning. I was happy and never thought about expanding.”
That mindset worked well during his school years, but it wasn’t until he went to college that Saumitra started to see the bigger picture.
The Turning Point: Realizing $300 Wasn’t Enough
College was a transformative time. With a growing sense of confidence and a habit of speaking highly about his capabilities, Saumitra naturally attracted attention.
“When I reached college, I would speak like I was the best person out there,” he says.
His boldness earned him recognition, but it also brought scrutiny. Suddenly, people started noticing him—what he was doing, what he was buying, and how he carried himself. It was during this time that Saumitra had a pivotal realization: $300 a month wasn’t going to cut it anymore.
This awakening planted the seed for what would soon become a joint freelancing venture with his college roommate, Utkarsh.
The Beginning of a Partnership
Saumitra’s college roommate, Utkarsh, played a crucial role in the next phase of the journey. At the time, Saumitra wasn’t confident about being the face of his brand.
As he puts it:
“I had personal insecurities, so I asked Utkarsh to be the face of the brand, while I would be the voice behind it.”
This partnership combined Saumitra’s technical expertise and strategic thinking with Utkarsh’s ability to represent their brand to clients. Together, they launched their freelancing business, pooling their skills and ambitions to create something larger than either of them could achieve alone.
Scaling the Freelancing Business
Starting small, Saumitra and Utkarsh began taking on projects together. They worked tirelessly, delivering quality services and building a reputation in the freelancing world. Gradually, their efforts began to pay off.
From the initial $300 a month, they scaled their freelancing business to $6,000 a month. This growth was the result of relentless hard work, learning from failures, and a deep commitment to their clients.
Saumitra reflects:
“We worked long hours, faced setbacks, but we kept pushing. We knew that freelancing was just the beginning—it was the foundation for something much bigger.”
Transitioning to an Agency
Once they reached the $6,000-a-month milestone, Saumitra and Utkarsh started thinking beyond freelancing. They realized that to truly grow, they needed to formalize their business and build a team. That’s when the idea of launching an agency was born.
The transition from freelancing to running an agency wasn’t easy. It required:
- Investing in Resources: From hiring talent to purchasing tools and software.
- Building a Brand: Creating a professional website, showcasing their work, and positioning themselves as experts.
- Expanding Services: Offering comprehensive SEO solutions rather than just individual tasks.
They took the plunge, and the agency quickly gained traction. Their freelancing expertise gave them a strong foundation, and their ability to deliver results helped them secure high-value clients.
The 16-Crore Success Story
Today, the agency that began as a freelancing partnership between two college students is being planned to be valued at over 16 crores ($2 million) by Somy. Saumitra attributes this success to the lessons learned during their freelancing days and the teamwork that fueled their growth.
“From working on small projects to managing large-scale campaigns, we’ve come a long way. What started as a way to make pocket money in school turned into a thriving agency,” Saumitra shares.
The agency now serves clients across industries, helping businesses grow their online presence through strategic SEO and digital marketing solutions.