At Brilliant Read Media, it is our constant endeavour to identify and share some of the unique and compelling stories from the startup ecosystem. As part of this, we invited Jay Shah for an interview with Brilliant Read Media. To say further, Jay is an Entrepreneur and Founder at TapOnce. Let’s learn more about his background, inspiring journey so far and his advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Jay:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
My entrepreneurial journey began when I was just 18, back in 2010, with a small venture selling VIP mobile numbers and telecom products. It was my first taste of business — learning how to manage customers, margins, and momentum.
But the real lessons came later. In 2013, I lost everything I had built. That was a turning point — it forced me to rebuild from scratch and truly understand what entrepreneurship means.
In 2014, I created a vegetable delivery platform that offered free home delivery, long before India had even heard of “quick commerce.” It was a bold idea ahead of its time, but I lacked the experience then to structure partnerships and scale sustainably.
In 2016, I turned my focus to our family business, Balet, and spent the next few years expanding it. By 2019, we had 11 self-owned stores and 2 franchise outlets, but then the pandemic hit — and like many entrepreneurs, I had to start all over again.
In 2020, I co-founded a solutions company that aimed to be a one-stop partner for clients — handling everything from trademark registration to logo design, web development, and digital marketing.
That holistic approach eventually laid the foundation for TapOnce in 2021 — a brand born from innovation and sustainability.
‘TapOnce’ is such a unique name; talk us through more about it, please. Our audience would also love to know what kind of problem you are solving.
The name TapOnce represents simplicity and innovation — the idea that one tap can connect people, brands, and opportunities instantly.
The concept behind TapOnce is powerful yet simple: to make meaningful connections effortless. In a world still exchanging paper business cards, we saw a chance to revolutionise networking through NFC-based smart cards that share your complete digital identity with just a tap.
Our goal isn’t just to make networking seamless — it’s to make it sustainable. Each TapOnce card replaces hundreds of paper cards, reducing waste and helping businesses align with their ESG and carbon-neutral goals.
It’s technology with a conscience — combining innovation, sustainability, and brand experience in one tap.
Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
What keeps me going is the reminder that I’ve been through worse and come out stronger. Every challenge is a test, but also a teacher.
Entrepreneurship isn’t about avoiding failure — it’s about evolving through it. I’ve learned to see obstacles as opportunities to reinvent myself and my ideas. And, of course, the support of my team, family, and business partners keeps me grounded and motivated to push forward every single day.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned in your life?
1) Nothing lasts forever — neither failure nor success. Both are temporary, but what you learn from them lasts a lifetime.
2) People are your greatest asset. Build genuine relationships; they outlast profits.
3) Stay curious, stay adaptable. The world changes fast — your willingness to evolve determines your growth.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
I believe success comes from a mix of clarity, consistency, and character.
a) Clarity helps you define your purpose — know what problem you’re solving.
b) Consistency keeps you moving — progress compounds when you show up every day.
c) Character sustains success — integrity builds trust, and trust builds legacy.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
Start early, stay humble, and don’t fear failure. Every mistake you make early in life becomes the foundation for smarter decisions later.
Focus on learning before earning — the skills and experiences you collect will always outlast temporary setbacks. And most importantly, don’t chase trends; chase problems worth solving. That’s where real success lies.
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying or exciting?
What makes it satisfying is the transformation. From selling mobile numbers at 18, to creating a vegetable delivery platform before quick commerce existed, to scaling retail stores, to now building a global tech and sustainability brand — it’s been a constant evolution.
Every phase has taught me something new — about resilience, reinvention, and responsibility. The most exciting part? The journey isn’t over. We’ve only just begun to scratch the surface of what TapOnce can do — and I’m thrilled for what lies ahead.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
