Sherry Khan stands as the visionary force behind Anideos, serving as its founder and CEO. He brings over a decade of invaluable experience in the US market and works relentlessly to take his business to immeasurable heights. Sherry aims to create a safe space where an artist’s craft is respected and everyone is allowed their artistic freedom.
Initially, he started his professional journey as a business analyst and entrepreneur – but he soon realized his true calling and started his own company, Anideos, from scratch to showcase his love for animations and illustrations. He is enthusiastic about his company and enjoys sharing his knowledge with aspiring entrepreneurs!
Sherry also works with many B2B and B2C firms to help them strategize their business objectives and thrive. He is passionate about what he does, keeps ties strong with shifting digital advancements, and aims to make Anideos a prominent name in the digital space.
Please tell us a little bit about your business – what is Anideos all about?
Anideos is a US-based full-service video production company with years of professional experience under its belt. We aim to revolutionize the animation and tech industry with fresh and groundbreaking ideas. We specialize in video animation of all sorts, including 2D, 3D, frame-by-frame, motion graphics, explainers, and more. Apart from animation, we offer IT services and create future-proof mobile apps and websites.
As a creative visionary myself, I wanted to come up with a unique business name that clicks peoples’ minds whenever they hear it. Our startup’s primary focus was on ‘Animation’ and ‘Video,’ so we created the name ‘Anideos’ by fusing both. Today, Anideos serves a global clientele and helps them stand out in the ever-changing digital world.
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you started your company.
At a young age, I began to travel; learning about different customs and traditions broadened my horizons and gave me a variety of viewpoints. I have never hesitated to take on any employment role since coming abroad. To be honest, there were some blowouts along the way, but I don’t regret them because they all contributed to the person I am today.
The learning phase of my life began pretty early. I pursued a bachelor’s degree in International Business Management from Anglia Ruskin University and began my professional career as an entrepreneur and business analyst. Since then, I’ve been on an ongoing quest to grow professionally and personally.
However, I’m an artist at heart – with a love for animations and illustrations. So, out of curiosity and passion for growth, I founded Anideos with a handful of dedicated and like-minded individuals. Since then, we’ve made massive efforts to make Anideos a world-renowned name and attract clients worldwide.
What would you say are the top 3 skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur, and why?
In my opinion, success is determined by a lot of hard work and a tiny bit of luck. But if you possess these skills, I suppose you have what it takes to be a thriving entrepreneur.
- Adaptability: Markets, technologies, and customer preferences are constantly changing, and as an entrepreneur, you need to quickly adjust your strategies to stay relevant and seize new opportunities. Being adaptable ensures you’re not stuck in one way of doing things and can navigate the ever-evolving business landscape.
- Communication: Imagine having a fantastic idea, but it might not get the traction it deserves if you can’t effectively convey it to your team, investors, or customers. Clear and compelling communication is what helps you share your vision, build a strong team, and even negotiate partnerships essential for your business’s growth.
- Resilience: Entrepreneurship is a journey with its fair share of ups and downs. There will be setbacks and failures along the way, but having the resilience to bounce back, learn from your mistakes, and keep pushing forward separates successful entrepreneurs from the rest.
How do you separate yourself from your competitors?
I suppose what separates us from our competitors is our inventive accomplishments. We have a cutting-edge production system and schedule, utilizing which we shorten the production period without sacrificing quality. We also provide high-quality services at an unmatched rate and scale in the market.
We’ve spent much time refining our strategy, giving us an advantage over other companies providing the same services to the same clientele. Keeping the quality intact is a massive challenge; nonetheless, Anideos nails it every time.
In addition, our company is distinctive due to our keen eye for contemporary trends and commitment to excellence. Our team converts even the craziest concepts into products that our customers adore. Over the years, we have produced many interactive digital platforms and award-winning animated videos for businesses worldwide.
What were the top three mistakes you made starting your business, and what did you learn from them?
Like everyone else, I’ve faced many troubles and made many mistakes in the initial days when I founded Anideos. But it is safe to say that none stopped me from achieving my goals. I have always taken my mistakes as an opportunity to learn and work harder toward a brighter future.
- Staying Clam. Hopping onto decisions without careful consideration is something I used to do quite often. However, I soon realized this mistake and tried staying calm, no matter how big of a trouble it might be. After all, everything can be made to work in your favor with a well-thought-out strategy and careful planning.
- Always Have a Plan B. Another thing that I have learned is to manage finances effectively and always have a plan B to implement during tough times. You never know when you’ll be in a troublesome situation, so you must have enough to survive and thrive during unforeseen circumstances.
- Lack of Communication. Back in the early days, we were way too eager to jump on new projects that, somehow, we were unsuccessful in delivering up to the client’s expectations – all due to a minor communication gap. This mistake taught me how vital transparent communication is. So, to prevent such situations from happening in the future, I set a destined timeframe to understand the client’s needs and expectations first.
Tell us a little bit about your marketing process, what has been the most successful form of marketing for you?
Since the marketing landscape is evolving daily, I believe using innovative digital marketing strategies is necessary now more than ever to seize growth opportunities and be relevant in today’s world. So, to stay updated with the latest trends, we reevaluate and refine our marketing efforts to avoid becoming stale or lost in the clutter.
Although Anideos is a US-based firm, we have clients worldwide. Considering this, we target digital mediums and focus on social media marketing to reach potential customers.
Also, when it comes to marketing, I think there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for all businesses. For instance, what works for one business may or may not work for others. So, for effective business marketing, one must keep experimenting with new tactics and strategies.
Some things that have worked for us are:
Using the penetration pricing strategy to attract a wide fraction of the market and then gradually switching to value-based pricing
Organic marketing over paid marketing. Strategies such as SEO, community building, social media, and content marketing helped us cater to a larger audience and gain traffic over time
What have been your biggest challenges, and how did you overcome them?
The COVID-19 pandemic’s occurrences had an impact on enterprises all across the world and presented them with additional obstacles to tackle. Nearly every firm at the time was progressively stepping into the digital world. Since those were also our firm’s early years, we had many challenges getting started in the digital realm.
The most difficult challenge was cutting through the digital noise and establishing our company as the best. Delivering high-quality services or products was no longer sufficient for retaining customers; we also needed to be able to respond quickly to changing market conditions. So, with careful planning and well-timed preparation, we overcame that challenge.
Besides, time management was yet another difficulty our business initially encountered. Our team had to spend much time performing A/B testing and attempting different techniques to develop our process. Ultimately, it helped us to hone our approach and gave us a competitive edge over rivals catering to the same market.
What helps you stay driven and motivated to keep going in your business?
My profound belief in the potential of our vision propels my drive for ongoing progress. Every day, I see our team’s dedication and hard work as we attempt to make a significant difference. This mutual enthusiasm and dedication to our objective generates a powerful energy that pulls us forward.
The ever-changing environment of obstacles and opportunities is also a constant incentive. Each obstacle we conquer, and innovation we implement promotes the notion that there is always opportunity for progress and growth. It’s this dynamic environment that motivates me to explore new boundaries and lead the charge toward our objectives.
What is your favorite quote?
Well, my favorite life lesson quote has to be this one:
‘’It’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen.’’
I was quickly intrigued when I heard this saying somewhere years back, considering how well I can relate it to my life. This quote takes me back to when I was enthusiastic about starting my own company and summarizes my efforts to get to where I am today. I use it as a prompt to never lose faith in my potential to achieve the extraordinary!
What valuable advice would you give new entrepreneurs starting out?
One advice I offer to my fellow budding entrepreneurs is to avoid setting unrealistic goals for themselves and others in the early stages, as growth takes time. Don’t compare your achievement to others; what your opponent accomplished quickly may take you longer to attain. As a result, you must be quick-witted, informed of your industry and competitors, and alert to take actionable moves that outrun your competitors.
Surround yourself with positive company – those who motivate and propel you to achieve your dreams. Another piece of long-term advice is creating many revenue streams for increased financial security during difficult times and ensuring that at least your two-year cash flow forecast is reasonable.
What is your definition of success?
For me, success is a journey rather than a destination. Plus, as a leader, I define success not only by my performance but also by my employees and the company’s achievements.
How can readers get in touch with you?
You can reach out to me directly on my LinkedIn for tips, words of advice, and basically anything business-related! Or, to follow our work, visit Anideos.
