How does a middle-class mindset help build better founders?
As CEO of HealthKart, Sameer Maheshwari has had a remarkable journey, transforming a small startup into a successful e-commerce platform for health and nutrition products. At the heart of his success lies a middle-class mindset that has instilled values of resilience, frugality, and grit. In an exclusive conversation with Ascendants, Sameer shared how his upbringing and experiences have shaped his entrepreneurial journey, and how the middle-class mindset has given him an edge in building a successful business.
Growing up in a middle-class family, Sameer learned early on that nothing comes easily. His parents, both working professionals, instilled in him a strong work ethic and a sense of responsibility. “My parents always emphasized the importance of earning a living and not relying on others for support,” he recalls. This early exposure to the value of hard work and self-reliance had a profound impact on Sameer’s worldview.
When he co-founded HealthKart, Sameer’s middle-class mindset kicked in. He remembers the early days of the startup, when they had to struggle to make ends meet. “We had to be frugal, we had to be resourceful,” he says. “We couldn’t afford to waste money or resources. We had to be smart and efficient in everything we did.”
This frugality, Sameer believes, is a key trait that has helped him build a successful business. “When you’re middle-class, you learn to appreciate the value of money. You learn to make do with what you have. And that’s a valuable skill in entrepreneurship.” By being mindful of expenses and resource allocation, Sameer was able to keep HealthKart afloat during its early, challenging years.
Another key aspect of the middle-class mindset is resilience. When faced with setbacks or failures, people with a middle-class background tend to be more resilient, Sameer believes. “When you’re from a middle-class family, you’re more likely to have experienced hardship and adversity. You learn to bounce back from failure and keep moving forward.”
This resilience has served Sameer well in his entrepreneurial journey. When HealthKart faced challenges, Sameer didn’t give up. He rolled up his sleeves, worked harder, and found innovative solutions to overcome the obstacles. “I’ve always believed that failure is not the end of the world. It’s an opportunity to learn and grow. And that’s a mindset that has served me well.”
Grit is another trait that Sameer credits to his middle-class upbringing. Growing up, he had to work multiple jobs to support his family, and that taught him the value of perseverance. “When you’re from a middle-class family, you learn to put in the effort and grind to achieve your goals. You don’t have the luxury of giving up easily.”
This grit has helped Sameer navigate the challenges of building a successful business. He has faced numerous setbacks and failures, but he has always gotten back up, dusted himself off, and kept moving forward. “I’ve always believed that success is not a destination, it’s a journey. And that journey requires grit, determination, and hard work.”
So, what does Sameer believe is the most valuable aspect of the middle-class mindset for entrepreneurs? “I think it’s the values that you learn growing up – values like resilience, frugality, and grit. These values are essential for building a successful business, and they’re not something that money can buy.”
Sameer’s story is a testament to the power of the middle-class mindset in building successful entrepreneurs. By instilling values of resilience, frugality, and grit, Sameer has been able to overcome the challenges of entrepreneurship and build a successful business. As he looks back on his journey, he is grateful for the upbringing he had, which has given him the tools to succeed.
“I’m proud of my middle-class roots,” he says. “They’ve given me the values and the mindset that have allowed me to build a successful business. And I believe that’s a valuable lesson for any entrepreneur – that it’s not about where you come from, but about the values you learn along the way.”
In conclusion, Sameer’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of the middle-class mindset in building successful entrepreneurs. By instilling values of resilience, frugality, and grit, entrepreneurs can overcome the challenges of building a business and achieve success. As Sameer’s journey shows, it’s not about where you come from, but about the values you learn along the way.
Source: https://ascendants.in/founders-corner/middle-class-mindset-founder/
