Small bumper dings are one of the most common damages to cars, and a quick Google search brings up numerous DIY fixes with varying levels of difficulty. Entrepreneur Robin Gupta recongnied an opportunity to prevent bumper dings and dents from happening, and developed a product called Bumper Shield. We recently had the chance to interview Robin and talk about his experience working on Bumper Shield!
Questions with Bumper Shield founder Robin Gupta
1. Describe Bumper Shield in 10 words or less.
A small mistake shouldn’t cost you big.
2. What inspired you to create Bumper Shield?
It’s been about 10 months since I started working on Bumper Shield, and this started when I saw a lot of bumper dents on different cars as I was driving. I thought, we’ve technologically advanced so far and yet we still have this problem! The dents were largely caused by license plate bolts, and damage from these bolts can easily reach $1000, which is how I came up with the idea for Bumper Shield.
At the time, I didn’t realise there were other models (bumper protectors) in the market and thought nobody was doing this idea yet. However, when you actually look at the other models available, they are nowhere close to what Bumper Shield can do. Bumper Shield’s construction makes it able to absorb impacts.
3. What was one aspect of this business that challenged you the most? How did you overcome this?
To get the support and help I needed was difficult–the marketing, the accounting, etc were new areas for me. My advice for other entrepreneurs is to find help (networking, mentoring, coaching), as you can only do so much.
4. What has been the highlight of your entrepreneurial journey so far? What has been your biggest lesson learned?
A highlight has been the self development and learning opportunities. I’ve learned to become a more well-rounded person, as entrepreneurship encourages you to work on areas you’re unfamiliar or less strong in.
As for the biggest lesson learned, I had to learn where I derived my energy from. For example, some entrepreneurs derive their energy or motivation from being angry, but what happens when that anger goes away? It is important to learn where you derive your energy from, and ensure that it is a sustainable source.
5. How did ACCEL help you with this business?
My ACCEL coach, David Cowdery, is someone to bounce ideas off of and talk to as he has a lot of experience and advice. Entrepreneurship can be lonely as you mostly work alone, so it is important to get help and new perspectives on your plans.
6. What’s next for Bumper Shield? Where is this product available?
The next step is to launch the product on Amazon, and get the marketing going.
(Stay tuned for the Amazon link!)
7. Do you have any advice for other entrepreneurs?
You have to deal with your own mental walls and conventions–for example, if you’re not good at accounting, you’re going to have to tackle any preconceived notions that you’re not good at it in order to get better at learning the skill. It is important for entrepreneurs to get to a satisfactory level of knowledge for the skills required to run their business, and to be able to treat it as life learning experience.
Hollywood’s rendition of the entrepreneur experience is very different from the real life experience, but you have to be humble enough to take in the experiences, both good and bad.
If you’re interested in joining ACCEL as an entrepreneur to incubate and accelerate your business, you can find out more about the program’s benefits and how to apply.
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