1. What’s your background and what business did you start?
Hi, my name is Ishan Sharma, and I am an entrepreneur and YouTuber. My journey has been anything but conventional, and I’m excited to share it with you. I grew up in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh, and like many students in India, I spent most of my high school years preparing for the IIT JEE exams. While I cleared JEE Mains, I couldn’t crack JEE Advanced, which was a tough moment for me. Eventually, I joined BITS Pilani’s Goa campus to pursue Electrical Engineering.
The college opened up a whole new world for me. I started exploring different fields like coding, machine learning, and web development there. I was also inspired by creators like Aman Dhattarwal and Gary Vee, which made me realize the potential of content creation and digital marketing.
In January 2020, I decided to start my YouTube channel. I began by sharing what I learned from coding tutorials and personal development tips. It was a slow start, but I stayed consistent, and over time, my channel grew beyond anything I had imagined.
In 2021, my roommate and I co-founded MarkitUp, a digital marketing agency focused on helping startups grow through YouTube and social media management. What started as a small idea quickly turned into a company with a team of 15 and an annual recurring revenue of $250,000.
My journey has been filled with ups and downs, but every step has taught me something valuable. From creating content on YouTube to building a business, it’s been a rewarding experience, and I’m excited to see what’s next.
2. How did you develop this idea and what market research did you do?
The idea to start my YouTube channel and MarkitUp came from my personal experiences, curiosity, and desire to explore opportunities beyond traditional academic paths.
Starting with YouTube, I was always interested in technology and entrepreneurship, but I didn’t know how to channel that interest into something practical until I entered college. In my first year at BITS Pilani, I realized that although I was learning a lot in my courses, I was also drawn to content creators who shared valuable insights on the digital space, business, and personal growth. Creators like Aman Dhattarwal, Gary Vee, and BeerBiceps inspired me to explore creating content of my own. I thought, “Why not document my learning journey, share the things I’m discovering, and build a community of like-minded individuals?”
So, in January 2020, I took the plunge and started my YouTube channel. The decision wasn’t based on market research or a deep dive into the competition. It was more about a gut feeling that this would be a great way to share my journey, help others who were going through similar struggles, and build something over time. My initial videos focused on coding, which I was learning on my own, and soon I started experimenting with topics related to entrepreneurship and tech. Over time, the channel grew organically as I focused on sharing valuable content without obsessing over the number of views.
The YouTube channel quickly became a space where I could share my personal experiences and thoughts on how to build a career from scratch. As I gained more subscribers and started interacting with my audience, I realized there was a growing demand for practical advice on how to succeed in the digital world, especially in the realm of social media marketing and personal branding.
Around the same time, I was also thinking about how I could combine my growing knowledge of digital marketing with a business venture. That’s when the idea for MarkitUp was born. In late 2020, I saw that many startups were struggling with their online presence, they had great products but were missing the right strategies to grow and engage an audience on platforms like YouTube and Instagram. My own experiences with growing my channel and experimenting with digital marketing strategies made me realize that there was a huge opportunity to help businesses with their social media and content strategies.
With my roommate, I co-founded MarkitUp in February 2021. We wanted to offer startups a service that would help them manage their YouTube channels, grow their social media presence, and create impactful content. We knew from experience how much effort it takes to grow a digital presence, and we saw that many small businesses needed guidance on how to market themselves effectively in the digital space. From there, we built the agency and started working with clients like Coding Ninjas and Leap Scholar, helping them grow their social media presence and YouTube channels.
To develop the idea further, we kept learning and iterating based on feedback from our clients. By continuously monitoring digital trends and fine-tuning our strategies, we were able to offer valuable solutions that helped brands grow and succeed online.
In both cases the YouTube channel and MarkitUp the idea stemmed from my personal experiences, a passion for helping others, and the desire to build something meaningful in the digital space. There wasn’t a detailed market research process at the beginning, but through experimentation, learning, and observing the challenges others faced, I was able to identify gaps in the market and build businesses around those opportunities.
3. How did you learn about YouTube and marketing? Explain.
Learning about YouTube and marketing was a process of curiosity, experimentation, and persistence. Initially, I explored coding and machine learning, but my interests shifted as I discovered the power of storytelling and digital platforms. Watching content from creators who shared insights about entrepreneurship and personal growth sparked my interest in using YouTube to document and share my journey.
I started with basic tutorials and interview-style videos, gradually building confidence in creating engaging content. Through consistency, I learned what resonated with audiences whether it was simplifying complex topics, sharing personal experiences, or offering practical advice.
Marketing came into play when I started collaborating with brands and working on projects like Facebook Ads and email marketing during internships. I realized that helping businesses grow online was both impactful and rewarding. These hands-on experiences laid the groundwork for the marketing strategies I later used to scale both my channel and the agency.
The combination of creating content and experimenting with social media growth gave me a practical understanding of both platforms. Over time, these skills evolved into what is now a sustainable business model, blending creativity with strategic marketing.
4. What is the process you followed to launch your business?
The process of launching my businesses, including my YouTube channel and MarkitUp agency, was a combination of learning, experimenting, and taking calculated risks.
For my YouTube channel, the idea was simple: start documenting my journey and share what I was learning. I began by setting up a basic recording setup and creating content around coding and personal growth. My focus wasn’t on perfection; it was on consistency. I uploaded regularly, tested different types of videos, and engaged with viewers to understand what they found valuable.
When it came to launching MarkitUp, the process was more structured but equally hands-on. My roommate and I identified a gap in the market where brands needed help growing their presence on platforms like YouTube and social media. We started by offering our services to a few clients, leveraging the skills we had developed through internships and personal projects.
Our initial goal was to provide high-quality services and build trust with clients. This involved managing everything from video editing to growth marketing strategies. Word-of-mouth referrals and consistent results helped us gain traction quickly.
In both ventures, I relied on a “learn and execute” approach. Whether it was creating content for YouTube or managing clients for MarkitUp, the key was to start small, adapt based on feedback, and scale as we gained confidence and expertise.
5. What strategies have you found effective in attracting and retaining customers?
One of the most effective strategies I’ve used for attracting and retaining customers has been providing genuine value upfront. Whether it’s through my YouTube channel or my agency, the focus has always been on building trust and delivering results.
For YouTube, creating consistent and high-quality content that resonates with viewers has been crucial. Sharing practical tips on technology, entrepreneurship, and personal development helped me establish credibility. Engaging with my audience through comments and live sessions has also built a loyal community that keeps returning for more.
With MarkitUp, personalized solutions for each client have been the cornerstone of our strategy. We prioritize understanding their unique needs and delivering measurable outcomes. Strong communication and regular updates ensure that clients feel involved and confident in the process. Happy clients often turn into long-term partners and recommend our services to others.
One unique approach I implemented early on was writing and publishing an ebook about LinkedIn strategies, which I gave away for free. This not only helped me showcase my expertise but also attracted a larger audience who later engaged with my YouTube content and agency services. Offering value without expecting immediate returns has been a game-changer in building trust and retaining customers.
6. How are you doing today and what does the future look like?
I’m doing great today, balancing the responsibilities of running MarkitUp, creating content for YouTube, and engaging with my growing audience across social media platforms. Financially, things have been incredibly rewarding. MarkitUp, my marketing agency, generates an annual revenue of around ₹2 crore, while brand promotions bring in ₹20-25 lakh per collaboration. My YouTube channel, with over 1.6 million subscribers, contributes significantly as well, with earnings ranging between ₹4-6 crore annually.
Additionally, affiliate marketing adds another revenue stream of approximately ₹1 crore annually, making this journey not just fulfilling but also highly sustainable. On the social media front, I’ve built a strong presence with 195k followers on Twitter and 910k on Instagram, which helps amplify my impact and connect with a diverse audience.
Looking ahead, I’m focused on scaling MarkitUp globally, diversifying its services, and expanding my personal brand. The future involves not just financial growth but also empowering others through knowledge sharing, mentorship, and creating opportunities for those venturing into the digital and entrepreneurial space. It’s an exciting time, and I’m optimistic about what’s next!
7. What platforms/tools do you use for your business?
For MarkitUp (Marketing Agency):
- Project Management: Notion helps organize tasks, manage client projects, and keep the team aligned.
- Communication: Slack and Zoom is our go-to tools for team discussions and client meetings.
- Analytics & Marketing: Google Analytics for tracking performance, SEMrush for SEO insights, and Meta Ads Manager for running campaigns.
- Design: Tools like Canva and Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator) are indispensable for creating marketing materials.
For YouTube Channel:
- Editing Software: Final Cut Pro X for video editing and Adobe Premiere Pro for more complex projects.
- Thumbnail Design: Canva and Photoshop to create eye-catching thumbnails.
- Content Planning: Google Sheets and Notion to outline scripts and video schedules.
- SEO Optimization: TubeBuddy and VidIQ to optimize videos for better reach and performance.
For Social Media:
- Scheduling & Analytics: Hootsuite and Buffer for scheduling posts and analyzing engagement.
- Content Creation: Canva for quick designs and InShot for mobile video editing.
For Affiliate Marketing:
- Affiliate Platforms: Amazon Associates, Impact Radius, and other brand-specific affiliate programs for tracking earnings and managing partnerships.
For Personal Productivity:
- Time Management: Google Calendar to stay on top of deadlines and meetings.
- Notes & Brainstorming: Notion and Apple Notes for jotting down ideas.
E-commerce Tools:
For handling merchandise and collaborations, platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce are incredibly useful.
8. Which books, podcasts, or other resources have been the most influential for you?
Psychology of Money: Buy here
Subtle Art of Not Giving a F: Buy here
Rework: Buy here
9. What advice would you give to entrepreneurs who are just starting or looking to get started?
For entrepreneurs who are just starting out, here is some advice from my personal experience:
- Start small and stay consistent.
- Leverage free platforms and communities.
- Focus on execution and be ready to fail.
- Invest in Personal Branding and learn about Financial management.
- Network with like minded people to play the long game.
10. Where can we learn more about your product and services?
Also Read stories of other Founders:
How Sahil Bloom grew his 8 figure business on Twitter
How this man went from drug dealer to $100 million company founder
This girl earned $350,000 through blogging
The Rise of Justin Welsh: From Zero to $7M as a Solopreneur
