April 2025

Building with Hustle, Heart, and Honest Partnerships During a recent visit to Pune, I reconnected with my former colleague, Amit Sindhikumte. Over the past three years, Amit has built a company that now boasts a turnover of ₹45 crore. His journey is a testament to focused execution and unwavering commitment.​ When I asked Amit about the key lessons he would share with fellow entrepreneurs aiming to build successful and sustainable ventures, he highlighted three core principles:​ Be an Active HustlerAmit emphasized the importance of relentless effort and adaptability. He believes that consistent hustle is the backbone of any startup’s growth. Focus on Customer SuccessPrioritizing the success of customers ensures long-term relationships and business sustainability. Amit’s approach involves deeply understanding customer needs and delivering value consistently. Be Proactive in Taking ActionBeyond hustling, Amit stressed the significance of proactivity. He pointed out that many founders are reactive, waiting for problems to arise before addressing them. In contrast, proactive founders anticipate challenges, monitor financial health diligently, and seize opportunities ahead of time. Amit also shared insights into a critical challenge many startups face: co-founder conflicts. He likened choosing a co-founder to selecting a life partner, emphasizing the need for alignment in vision and commitment. In his experience, bringing on friends as co-founders without clear expectations led to challenges. Some operated with an employee mindset, lacking the ownership mentality crucial for a co-founder. Amit’s approach involved setting clear terms from the outset, including performance-based equity vesting and transparent communication. When misalignments became evident, he advocated for respectful conversations to address issues and, if necessary, part ways amicably.​MicroStartups.org Reflecting on Amit’s experiences, it’s evident that building a successful startup requires more than just a great idea. It demands relentless effort, a customer-centric approach, proactive leadership, and, importantly, honest and aligned partnerships.

God’s Delays Are Not God’s Denials “God’s delays are not God’s denials.”I first came across this beautiful line in Tony Robbins’ Awaken the Giant Within.It stayed with me ever since — not just as a comforting thought, but as a living truth that unfolds in both life and entrepreneurship. In our fast-paced world, especially as founders or creators, we often expect instant results.We invest our time, our energy, and our hearts into our ideas, and then naturally, we look for immediate signs of success.When they don’t appear, doubt creeps in.We question ourselves, our capabilities, and sometimes, even the worth of our dreams. I’ve been there. For the last 5 years, I’ve been building a community organisation with the dream of creating meaningful impact.But honestly, I wasn’t giving it the full commitment it deserved.Deep inside, I expected things to fall into place just because the intention was good.But the universe — or as I call it, GOD — has its own wisdom. It didn’t deny me the success I was longing for.It simply delayed it until I was ready. This year, something shifted.I made a conscious decision to go all in.No half measures.No shortcuts.Just pure commitment. And when I did that, something magical started to happen.People who believe in my vision started showing up.Opportunities began to align.The fog of uncertainty slowly cleared.Momentum built. It was as if the universe had been waiting all along, just for me to truly commit — to not just dream, but to act. Here’s the truth:The universe never denies you your dreams.It only delays them until you grow into the person who is ready to receive them. So, to every founder, dreamer, or anyone feeling stuck in life:Don’t let the delay make you believe in denial.Focus on becoming the version of yourself who is ready for the success you seek.Do the work.Take the actions you’ve been postponing.And trust that when you are prepared, life will meet you halfway. Because it always does. Question to ponder:What is that one thing you know you need to fully commit to, but have been holding back? Maybe, just maybe, your breakthrough is waiting for you on the other side of that decision.

Even If You Don’t Speak the Truth, Don’t Lie A few days ago, I had an incredible journey, 600 kilometers of non-stop learning from Mr. Natarajan a 71-year-old wise man. His energy, clarity of thought, and wisdom were truly inspiring. He drove from Hyderabad to Bangalore with only two short meal breaks, demonstrating endurance, focus, and a zest for life that left me in awe. Beyond his impressive stamina, what truly made this journey remarkable was the conversation we had. At one point, I asked him a question: If you had to give one piece of advice to the younger generation to help them live a meaningful life, what would that be? His answer was profound: Even if you don’t speak the truth, don’t lie. Silence is more eloquent than speaking. A Lesson in Integrity At first, his words felt paradoxical. Isn’t truth supposed to be the foundation of integrity? But as we discussed further, I began to grasp the depth of his wisdom. In life, we are often put in situations where revealing the complete truth may not always be the best option—perhaps because it’s not our place to share, or it may cause unnecessary harm. But that doesn’t mean we should resort to falsehoods. Instead, choosing silence can be a powerful way to maintain integrity without deception. Application in Business and Leadership For startup founders, professionals, and leaders, this lesson is invaluable. Business ecosystems are filled with negotiations, strategic discussions, and sensitive decisions. While transparency is crucial, there are moments when speaking less—or simply refraining from giving misleading statements—can be the wisest choice. In leadership: A great leader knows when to speak and when to stay silent. Over-promising or giving misleading optimism can damage credibility. Silence, when necessary, speaks volumes about maturity and self-control. In business negotiations: Silence can be a powerful tool. Sometimes, the best way to handle a tough negotiation is to listen more and speak less, rather than blurting out something just to fill the void. In personal relationships: Whether it’s family, friendships, or partnerships, being mindful of what we say is crucial. Not every truth needs to be spoken, but honesty should never be compromised. The Impact of Thoughtful Silence We live in a world where people are constantly pressured to have an opinion on everything. Social media, workplace discussions, and personal interactions often compel us to speak—even when we don’t have something meaningful to say. But Mr. Natarajan’s wisdom serves as a reminder that choosing silence over unnecessary words is a mark of wisdom, not weakness. Actionable Takeaways Practice mindful communication – Before speaking, ask yourself: Is this necessary? Is this helpful? Is this truthful? If the answer is no, maybe silence is the better choice. Develop strategic patience – Whether in business or personal life, recognize when holding back your words can be more powerful than speaking impulsively. Avoid deception at all costs – If you cannot speak the full truth, do not resort to lies. Find a middle ground where you neither mislead nor betray your integrity. Final Reflection As I reflect on this lesson, I realize that wisdom doesn’t always come from textbooks or boardrooms. Sometimes, it arrives in the form of a 71-year-old man who has lived through decades of experiences and distills it all into a single, unforgettable insight. So, here’s a question to think about: How often do we speak just for the sake of it, when silence might be the better choice?