From Corporate Lawyer to Social Impact Entrepreneur: Sanjay Lobo's Journey with OnHand

Send us a text In this episode, Desi sits down with Sanjay Lobo, the CEO of OnHand, the leading volunteering platform revolutionising employee engagement. From his humble beginnings in South London, to his impressive career trajectory through senior roles at Lastminute.com and Vistaprint, Sanjay shares his unique journey from lawyer to tech founder.  Discover how his background as a lawyer shaped his innovative approach to business and learn about the pivotal moments that led to the success of OnHand.  Key Takeaways:Early Life & Inspiration: Sanjay reflects on his childhood in Tooting, the challenges he faced, and the aspirations that guided him towards a career in law and eventually tech entrepreneurship.Career Path: Insight into Sanjay’s transition from law to senior roles at lastminute.com and Vistaprint, highlighting the skills and experiences that prepared him for founding OnHand. Unlike most lawyers, Sanjay was obsessed with using the law to find loopholes that could drive growth.Founding OnHand: The motivation behind OnHand"s inception, the initial business model, and the strategic shift to a B2B model that focuses on employee engagement and corporate social responsibility.Challenges & Growth: The critical decisions and challenges faced by OnHand, including the impact of COVID-19 and the transition from a consumer-focused to a corporate-focused platform.Dragon’s Den Experience: Sanjay shares his experience on Dragon’s Den, securing offers from four dragons, and the subsequent impact on OnHand’s growth and visibility. But are the dragons part of the business today?Personal Insights: Sanjay discusses the personal and professional transformation he has undergone as a founder, the importance of confidence, and his dedication to making a social impact. Connect with Sanjay on LinkedIn. Check out OnHand.