Digital Social Hour: The Uber for Creatives – Why Beige is a Game Changer | Kawser Khan DSH #788

Release Date: October 7, 2024
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Kawser Khan

Introduction

In the latest episode of Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly welcomes entrepreneur Kawser Khan to discuss his groundbreaking venture, Beige. Kawser delves into how Beige is revolutionizing the videography and photography industry by creating a marketplace akin to Uber, facilitating seamless connections between clients and creative professionals across the United States.

Beige: The "Uber for Creatives"

Beige is poised to become the world's largest marketplace for videography and photography services. Kawser likens the platform to Uber, emphasizing its role in simplifying the booking process for creative shoots nationwide.

[01:16] Kawser Khan: "Beige is gearing up to be the world's biggest videography and photography marketplace. You can kind of think of us as like Uber, but for videographers and photographers."

The platform currently boasts 2,000 vetted and certified videographers and photographers operating as independent contractors. This extensive network ensures that users can find reliable professionals tailored to their specific content needs.

[01:55] Kawser Khan: "Yeah, exactly. So we got about 2000 videographers and photographers that are vetted and certified through us, all independent contractors. And then we just connect them with anybody that needs content."

Business Model and Operational Insights

Beige operates through a user-friendly mobile app slated for launch, which will facilitate the booking of creative services across all 50 states. Before the app's release, Kawser highlighted that Beige has successfully generated over 2,000 shoots, with projections to surpass 3 million in sales this year—all achieved through minimal advertising and a strategic online presence.

[04:00] Kawser Khan: "This year we're about to break 3 million in sales and shoots. And this is, mind you, with just being on a landing page. Right. No app. App is not out yet."

The platform addresses the traditional challenges of hiring videographers by offering a centralized system where users can view reviews, assess styles, and book professionals within a few clicks, eliminating the inefficiency of decentralized hiring methods.

[02:00] Host Sean Kelly: "It's a smart idea because right now, hiring a videographer seems old school. Yeah, like, you gotta find their site, call them—it's not really centralized."

Scaling and Success Metrics

Beige's aggressive scaling strategy includes a 20-week, 20-cities campaign, focusing on major markets like Chicago and New York. Chicago emerged as a significant success, while New York posed challenges due to its competitive and direct market dynamics, prompting Kawser to relocate to Brooklyn to better penetrate the market.

[08:21] Kawser Khan: "It was Chicago for us. Yeah, Chicago. And then New York, too. But New York was harder to break into."

Kawser shared that Beige has managed to scale without heavy reliance on advertisements, relying instead on organic growth through a highly efficient matchmaking and pricing algorithm powered by generative AI tools.

[05:10] Kawser Khan: "So we're starting to invest in some generative AI tools. So the way the app works is it's a simple layout, just like Uber or Doordash."

Challenges Faced in Entrepreneurship

Kawser was candid about funding challenges, particularly highlighting the difficulties faced as a founder of color in securing investment. Previous ventures, including a social fitness app and an ethically sourced clothing brand, encountered setbacks due to systemic biases and market acceptance issues.

[17:16] Kawser Khan: "And, you know, you're either Ivy League educated or, you know, your founders or other unicorns. Or, you know, you're quite frankly, you're white, so."

These experiences, although challenging, provided Kawser with invaluable lessons that shaped Beige's resilient and adaptive business model.

Future Vision: AI Integration and International Expansion

Looking ahead, Kawser is enthusiastic about integrating AI technologies to enhance Beige's user experience further. The planned app will feature an intuitive matchmaking algorithm that connects users with local creatives and provides instant pricing based on extensive past shoot data.

[05:29] Kawser Khan: "Give you an instant price based on our pricing algorithm from the several thousand shoots we've done, and then you'll just pretty much be able to book your videographer then and there."

International expansion is also on the horizon, with aspirations to extend Beige's services to regions like Dubai, London, Australia, and various European countries, tapping into vibrant creative markets and diverse client bases.

[11:53] Host Sean Kelly: "We get to travel, experience cultures. And I can't wait to take this internationally one day too. That's sort of the next step."

Personal Stories and Connections

Kawser shared personal anecdotes, including his marriage at 23, which coincided with Beige's expansion phase. Networking events played a pivotal role in both his personal and professional life, underscoring the mantra:

[15:28] Kawser Khan: "Your network is your net worth."

These events not only facilitated business growth but also fostered meaningful personal relationships, demonstrating the intertwined nature of personal and entrepreneurial success.

Additional Businesses and Lessons Learned

Prior to Beige, Kawser ventured into the restaurant industry, successfully scaling and selling a small Indian restaurant for six figures during the pandemic. He also launched Noia G Bon, an ethically manufactured clothing brand, which faced resistance from local producers but successfully raised funds through a Kickstarter campaign.

[19:25] Kawser Khan: "I opened a small Indian restaurant in LA. Scaled it up. Ended up selling it for six figures during the pandemic."

These entrepreneurial endeavors provided Kawser with a diverse skill set and a deep understanding of market dynamics, which he leveraged to build Beige into a robust and scalable platform.

Key Takeaways and Conclusion

The conversation between Sean Kelly and Kawser Khan encapsulates the essence of modern entrepreneurship—leveraging technology to disrupt traditional industries, overcoming systemic challenges, and maintaining a vision for global expansion. Beige stands as a testament to innovation in the creative marketplace, offering a streamlined, AI-powered solution that meets the evolving demands of content creation.

Notable Quotes:

• Kawser Khan

  "[05:10] We're starting to invest in some generative AI tools."
  "[15:28] Your network is your net worth."

• Sean Kelly

  "[02:00] Hiring a videographer seems old school... not really centralized."
  "[11:53] We get to travel, experience cultures."

Beige's journey underscores the importance of resilience, adaptability, and the relentless pursuit of innovation in building a successful business. As Beige prepares to launch its mobile app and expand internationally, it sets a promising example for aspiring entrepreneurs in the creative industries.

For more insights and updates, follow Kawser Khan and Beige on their social platforms. Stay tuned for future episodes of Digital Social Hour, where Sean Kelly continues to engage with leading minds shaping the business landscape.