In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks to the Co-Founder & CEO of Beaconstac, Sharat Potharaju.  Sharat Potharaju shared Beaconstac's vision of connecting the physical and digital worlds. Their primary tool? QR codes. These simple yet powerful codes are the core technology behind many large brands and businesses that use Beaconstac's platform to deploy innovative marketing techniques. These codes have been around since the 90s, initially used for supply chain purposes. However, they experienced a renaissance about ten years ago when iOS and Android made it easier to scan QR codes using a phone's camera. The recent pandemic further propelled the use of QR codes, providing a safe, contactless interaction method. Sharat explained that creating a simple QR code is free and can be done using various free QR code generators available online. However, Beaconstac offers more than just simple QR code generation. Their robust marketing automation platform allows for more sophisticated features like retargeting, analytics, and persona building. Sharat drew a parallel between the evolution of email marketing and what Beaconstac aims to achieve with QR code-based marketing. Just as email started as a communication tool and transformed into a robust customer engagement platform, Beaconstac aims to democratize the use of technologies like QR codes. They provide building blocks for marketers and developers to create unique use cases.   Key Points from the Episode: Explanation of Beaconstac's vision and use of QR codes for digital customer engagement History of QR codes and their resurgence in popularity Process of generating a QR code and the additional features offered by Beaconstac's platform Comparison of Beaconstac's technology to the evolution of email marketing Beaconstac's approach to working with larger companies and customization Examples of notable companies Beaconstac has worked with Emphasis on the suitability of Beaconstac's platform for businesses of all sizes   About Sharat Potharaju: Sharat Potharaju is the Co-founder and CEO of Beaconstac, responsible for crafting the overall strategy and execution. Sharat is dedicated to achieving Beaconstac’s vision to enable digital connection with every physical object and place on the planet.  Before his entrepreneurial career, Sharat spent a few years working in investment banking at Merrill Lynch in New York. Sharat holds a master’s degree in engineering management from Duke University and a bachelor’s in engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras.   About Beaconstac: Beaconstac is a pioneering company that enhances offline commerce and customer interaction through mobile device technology. It provides a platform that aids businesses in attracting customers, generating leads, fostering customer loyalty, and facilitating feedback collection. Beaconstac harnesses a suite of technologies, including Beacons, Wi-Fi, NFC, and QR codes, paired with consumer mobile devices to deliver value. These innovative solutions have seen widespread adoption in over 40 countries across multiple industries.  Beaconstac's platform acts as a crucial link, capitalizing on the omnipresence of mobile devices and the rising necessity to develop digital-like intelligence for the physical world. It helps bridge the gap between the physical and digital retail experiences, making it a key player in omnichannel commerce.   Tweetable Moments: 09:20 - "This is not only saving tremendous amount of cost for large brands and businesses but it's also very planet friendly. You know, you're saving trees, you're saving paper. Yeah, that's what excites me." 15:53 - "I need to act on it right now instead of let me check it out once I finish listening to this podcast. There's a very big difference the timing makes a big difference and that ability to contextually help brands and businesses."   Apply to be a Guest on The Thoughtful Entrepreneur: https://go.upmyinfluence.com/podcast-guest Links Mentioned in this Episode: Want to learn more? Check out Beaconstac website at  https://www.beaconstac.com/ Check out Beaconstac on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/beaconstac-hq/ Check out Beaconstac on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Beaconstac Check out Beaconstac on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/beaconstac/?hl=en Check out Beaconstac on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/beaconstac Check out Sharat Potharaju on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharatpotharaju/ Check out Sharat Potharaju on LinkedIn at https://twitter.com/pothash Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!   More from UpMyInfluence: We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE. Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here. What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here. Want to learn more about all the podcasts managed by UpMyInfluence? Opt in here.