A founder’s life is unpredictable and chaotic.Self-belief, positivity, and going against the odds make a founder delusional. For others around their circle, it can be a Utopia.Loved ones and friends will complain about it. As a founder, it is better to have a sense of purpose and self-confidence to excel in any difficulties in the …
Category Archives: startups
age
“We mature with age” is a myth. In the last six years of taghash, we have worked with a bunch of kids in their 20s, and they have been super energetic, hardworking, curious, and focused. I believe maturity comes with experience, failures, and grind. It can start early for some. I know many folks in …
pick
It took me some time to realize the difference between a hot lead and a qualified lead or a waste of time. I have a software developer background and have picked sales and customer support roles in my hand. It helps me map customer pain and build a product. In limited marker size, being focused …
core
We are in funding winter.Companies are firing left and right.Every founder is trying to survive somehow.The treadmill of growth is at a standstill. EdTech or HealthTech are suffering because they expanded, built solutions, or burnt millions giving freebies. They went ahead to increase the market size for valuation. Only when the tide goes out do …
build
One of the learning in the early days of building taghash is about what to add or extend. Listening to customers and learning from them and their workflow, the pain has been helpful. We are a small team and don’t have a product or growth team for guiding with surveys and analyzing customers. Time and …
Dhandho framework
I am halfway through the book: Dhandho investor. I liked it as the author shares stories about many businesses built on frugality, long bets, and arbitrage. The author talks about the Dhandho framework, and I felt like sharing. Invest in an existing business. Invest in a simple business. Invest in distressed businesses in distressed industries. …
give up
We build relationships and end up as trustworthy companions. It all boils down to commitment with honesty and love. The same applies to businesses; you have to be committed to them and give your best with service and support. Giving up on you should not be an option, be it in business or companionship in …
Layoffs
Layoffs are part and parcel of employment. It hurts and self-questions your capabilities, but in reality, it is more about organizational restructuring. In short, the organization mismanaged, and you had to pay the price of losing your job. You are still the same person working and earning for living. Don’t self-doubt your capabilities.
business
People, fundamentals, long-term thinking, and culture are recipes for a successful business. Modern-day companies’ DNA is on growth where all the fundamentals are flawed, and everything boils down to the next fundraising round. To achieve this, unnecessary hiring, product development, and lots of money get wasted. Founders, investors, and stakeholders are talking about revenue from …
podcast notes : X-Unicorn(7)
Last evening was listening to Karthik’s X-Unicorns podcast, where he interviewed Prashant, founder of EaseMyTrip. There are a few takeaways for me from the interview as a founder. EaseMyTrip is a bootstrapped ticket reservation platform run by Prashant and his two brothers. The company has been listed in India and is now a public limited. …