Stepper in Spotlight: Haritha Sivakumar( Founder, BeTales)

“I wanted to create a magazine that would not only entertain, inform, and develop teenagers, but something that they would look back on with fondness and remember as a cherished part of their youth,” says Haritha Sivakumar, Stepper in Spotlight and Founder of BeTales, a magazine for teenagers and youth.

The Inspiration behind the project

Haritha hails from a small town and always craved a circle of friends to discuss, borrow, and lend books.  Over the years, she also realized the mainstream entertainment field had limited content for teens.

“By offering a variety of entertaining and educational content, I wanted to create a magazine to help readers to broaden their horizons and explore new ideas. Additionally, by including features that spoke directly to teenagers’ interests and concerns, the magazine would help them to feel seen and heard,” she said.

The idea behind naming the project

“The name BeTales reflects the idea that by reading and practicing positive habits, we can create the best possible story for our lives,” she explained.

The Journey as an Entrepreneur

Haritha has found the journey of creating BeTales to be nerve-racking, but she does not regret her decision to pursue her passion.

“I have learned the importance of taking one step at a time, learning from my challenges, and enjoying the journey,” she added.

Work done by your organization

BeTales has provided a platform for debutant writers and has supported many individuals who have made exceptional contributions in their respective fields. The magazine’s “Let’s Share a STORY” segment has helped create awareness and exposure for youth and teenagers. BeTales has become a valuable resource for individuals seeking inspiration and guidance.

“We have published more than 22 issues, trying to get better and better each time,” she said

The Impact of your organization

Haritha shares that the content they offer is reaching the intended audience and creating a positive impact. Her greatest pride is in providing readers with valuable resources to empower them to pursue their dreams. 

“With the support of our loyal readers, we are confident that BeTales will continue to grow and make a difference in the lives of individuals all over the world,” she added.

The Team

The BeTales Team consists of 6-7 constant members and 3-4 seasonal interns. All her teammates share similar goals and are around the same age. Working with them has been a heartwarming experience for Haritha, as theydraw upon each other’s unique perspectives and experiences to create content. 

“We believe that our shared vision and passion for BeTales will continue to drive us forward,” she added.

Future plans

BeTales is committed to expanding its collaboration with more entrepreneurs and widening its reach.  They have several programs lined up in public libraries and also plan to start a new channel.

“Looking ahead, we are focused on making this summer a BeTales summer and are exploring new opportunities to connect with readers and collaborators,” she said.

Advice to new entrepreneurs

• Amidst the intense competition and pressure to generate revenue in the world of entrepreneurship, do not lose your vision.
• Do not get caught up in providing free services or collaborations in the early stages of business.
• Not everyone will become a customer or client.

Journey as a Stepper

Haritha believes an incubation program is useful for new entrepreneurs, as the experience can provide in-depth knowledge and exposure to them.

She came to know about STEP on the Start-up India page. She participated in the STEP Pitchfest 2022. Even though she did not win the competition, she got selected for the incubation program.

“STEP gave me confidence and clarity. The guidance and feedback of mentors provided me with insights to pursue my vision,” she added. 

Haritha’s mentor at STEP helped her figure out the concepts of running an organization.

“STEP helped me discover and understand my strengths and weaknesses. This has helped me take meaningful decisions that align with my values and the purpose of my organization,” she said

Haritha, the person

Haritha’s favorite book is Thinking Straight: Change your thoughts, Change your life by Darius Forox. She relishes the simple dal chawal with chicken. She loves visiting Darjeeling. She draws inspiration from Jack Ma, J.K. Rowling, and her father. A quote by Mahatma Gandhi that is the Mantra of her life is  “If you want to see the change, be the change.”