How does a middle-class mindset help build better founders?
As I sit down to write this blog post, I am reminded of a conversation I had with Sameer Maheshwari, the CEO of HealthKart, a leading online health and wellness platform. During our conversation, he shared with me how his middle-class upbringing shaped his entrepreneurial journey and instilled values that have been instrumental in his success. In fact, he believes that the middle-class mindset gives founders an edge that no amount of money or privilege can buy.
Growing up in a middle-class family, Sameer was no stranger to hardship and scarcity. His parents worked hard to provide for the family, but there was always a sense of uncertainty and effort required to make ends meet. This environment taught Sameer the value of resilience, frugality, and grit – essential traits for any entrepreneur.
One of the key lessons Sameer learned from his middle-class upbringing was the importance of earning everything. Unlike those who come from privileged backgrounds, he never had a safety net or a trust fund to fall back on. Every penny he earned was hard-won, and he learned to appreciate the value of money. This mindset helped him develop a strong work ethic and a willingness to put in the effort required to achieve his goals.
Another valuable lesson Sameer learned from his middle-class upbringing was the importance of resourcefulness. With limited resources, he had to be creative and find ways to make do with what he had. This taught him to think outside the box, to be innovative, and to find solutions to problems that others might consider insurmountable.
The middle-class mindset also instilled in Sameer a sense of responsibility and accountability. He knew that he was not just responsible for himself but also for his family and his community. This sense of responsibility drove him to work hard and make a positive impact on the world around him.
So, how does this middle-class mindset help build better founders? Here are a few ways:
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Resilience: Founders who come from middle-class backgrounds have a natural ability to bounce back from setbacks and failures. They are not afraid to take risks and are willing to put in the effort required to achieve their goals.
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Frugality: Middle-class founders are accustomed to living on a budget and are mindful of the resources they have. This frugality helps them make smart financial decisions and allocate their resources effectively.
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Grit: Founders who have overcome hardship and scarcity have a natural abundance of grit. They are not deterred by obstacles and are willing to put in the effort required to achieve their goals.
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Resourcefulness: Middle-class founders are accustomed to thinking creatively and finding solutions to problems. This resourcefulness helps them navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship and find innovative solutions to the problems they face.
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Sense of responsibility: Founders who come from middle-class backgrounds have a natural sense of responsibility and accountability. They are driven to make a positive impact on the world around them and are willing to put in the effort required to achieve their goals.
In conclusion, the middle-class mindset plays a significant role in shaping the journey of entrepreneurs. It instills values that are essential for success, such as resilience, frugality, grit, resourcefulness, and a sense of responsibility. These values are not limited to those who come from middle-class backgrounds, but they are certainly more pronounced in individuals who have had to overcome hardship and scarcity.
As Sameer Maheshwari so aptly put it, “The middle-class mindset gives founders an edge that no amount of money or privilege can buy. It teaches us the value of earning everything, the importance of resourcefulness, and the sense of responsibility that comes with knowing that we are not just responsible for ourselves but also for our family and community.”
Source:
https://ascendants.in/founders-corner/middle-class-mindset-founder/
