Vijay Taneja is the director of VC Investments Inc. located in Fairfax, Virginia. Started in 2015, this national commercial and business financial consulting firm helps businesses identify their needs and provides the right solutions throughout the country and internationally.
Vijay majored in Business Administration and Business Law, going to University of the District of Columbia (UDC), before deciding that he had an opportunity to grow professionally. At one point he was working three jobs while trying to schedule school into the mix. He has been in financial business since 1979, starting as a bank teller. By 1985, Vijay was an entrepreneur and launched two different companies.
Because Vijay Taneja is a self-starter and decision maker who follows those decisions, this has left him with very little free time. With promoting concerts, movies, and events with another company, Bollywood Elite, he treats this as his hobby. Vijay Taneja enjoys providing a platform for Bollywood Stars through which they can be proud of their heritage. He used to play tennis and cricket, but now watches sports more than he plays. He watches a couple of hours of television a day and reads about financial things going on both domestic and internationally.
How did you start getting into this business and what inspired you to do so?
From childhood, I always wanted to be self-employed. I didn’t want to be working for someone else. I worked for a bank and a mortgage company for five years and then I opened a previous company of my own in 1990.
What inspired you to start in investments?
I’ve always had a passion to deal with the finance part of it. That’s something that I do understand very well, whether it’s the stock market, real estate, or developing homes. I like creating, so I found building as a hobby, a passion, and my profession in dealing with buildings and in real estate.
How does your company make money?
We basically apply for loans and have a commission rate.
How long did it take for your company to become profitable?
I would say we were profitable in month one.
When you were first starting in investments and starting your own company, was there at time that you doubted it was going to work out? If so, how did handle it?
I put myself in the category of high-risk. The market dictates so much and this is not in my control. When things are in my control, I get positive results.
Was there a time that you questioned whether it was going to work, or did you just know it was going to be great from the start?
I wouldn’t say I doubted that it was going to work, no. Basically, I had the confidence that I could handle it. Just believing to stay true to myself the rest would follow. And I was right.
How did you acquire your first customer?
I acquired my first customer through word of mouth because I’m pretty well-known in my community. People know that I deliver what I say. I never promise anyone anything if I can’t deliver.
What is one marketing strategy, besides referrals, that’s working really well to generate new business?
Social media and emails and websites, which I have. I use Facebook, Twitter, all of the social media platforms, all different kinds to get the information to help me deliver products to my clients. It’s a good strategy for marketing and getting new business.
What do you think makes you successful?
Basically delivering what I say is what I think makes me successful. The commitment that I have and just execute it, whatever it takes. I have a good team that helps me out. I trust their ideas and we can collaborate to create ideas together. My team is vital to make sure the business runs smoothly. I don’t stop and I believe in staying consistent.
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
My most satisfying moment in business is when I close a deal. As with any business, there’s always those moments you are satisfied, as well as moments you are not. The moment you are not is when a deal you think is going to go to closing gets held up for one reason or another.
What does the future hold for VCInvestments? What are you most excited about?
Basically, I get to do a lot of creative financing for different types of business owners, developers, builders. Being a building developer myself, I really enjoy seeing all those different pictures of what people are building.
What business books have inspired you?
I really haven’t read any business books, I read current events. I listen to CNBC.com. For business, Fox business news is where I go for information. I think it’s important to keep up to date on what is happening in the world.
What is a recent purchase that you’ve made to help with your business?
There is nothing that I can think of.
Where do you see your business going?
I’d like to grow the volume of my business. This business is only going to go up because of the programs that I have, from leasing to real estate loans, to business loans. I only see an upward trend. Determination, making the goal, and then knowing the path to achieve that goal. Staying positive is the focus. Where there is faith, there is no fear.