
How does a middle-class mindset help build better founders?
As the CEO of HealthKart, Sameer Maheshwari has experienced the gamut of entrepreneurial journey, from humble beginnings to scaling success. His remarkable story is a testament to the transformative power of a middle-class mindset. In this exclusive interview, Sameer shares how the values he learned from his middle-class upbringing have shaped him into the resilient and frugal founder he is today.
Growing up in a middle-class family, Sameer was surrounded by a sense of scarcity and uncertainty. His parents, though not wealthy, instilled in him a strong work ethic and the importance of earning every penny. This early education in frugality and resourcefulness would later become a defining characteristic of his entrepreneurial journey.
“I grew up with the understanding that everything I had was earned,” Sameer recalls. “My parents never gave me anything without me working for it. This taught me the value of hard work, and I never took anything for granted.” This philosophy of earning everything, rather than relying on privilege or handouts, has been a driving force behind Sameer’s success.
The middle-class mindset has also instilled in Sameer a sense of resilience, a quality that has been crucial in the face of numerous challenges he has faced as a founder. “When you’re not born with a silver spoon, you learn to adapt and persevere,” he says. “You can’t afford to give up, and that’s a valuable lesson that has served me well.”
Frugality is another value that Sameer has carried with him from his middle-class upbringing. As a founder, he has always been mindful of every rupee spent, knowing that every decision has a direct impact on the company’s bottom line. This mindset has allowed him to make tough choices and prioritize resources effectively, a skill that has been essential in scaling HealthKart.
“I’ve always believed that you should only spend money on things that are essential to the business,” Sameer explains. “That’s not to say that you can’t splurge occasionally, but as a founder, you need to be responsible and make smart decisions. The middle-class mindset has taught me to be frugal and make every rupee count.”
Grit is another quality that Sameer has developed as a result of his middle-class upbringing. As a founder, he has faced numerous setbacks and failures, but his determination to succeed has always kept him going. “When you’re not born with privilege, you have to work twice as hard to achieve your goals,” he says. “That’s what drives me every day – the desire to prove myself and make a success of my venture.”
So, how does a middle-class mindset help build better founders? For Sameer, it’s about the values that are instilled in you from a young age. “The middle-class mindset teaches you to be resourceful, resilient, and frugal,” he says. “It gives you a sense of responsibility and a desire to earn everything you have. These are values that no amount of money can buy, and they give you a true entrepreneurial advantage.”
In the startup ecosystem, where privilege and connections can often be a deciding factor in success, Sameer’s story serves as a powerful reminder that it’s not what you have, but what you’re willing to work for, that truly matters. His middle-class mindset has given him an edge that he believes is unmatched by those who have had the benefit of privilege.
As a founder, Sameer’s approach to business is not just about making money, but about building a sustainable and responsible organization that creates value for all stakeholders. His middle-class mindset has taught him the importance of humility and the value of earning respect, rather than expecting it.
In conclusion, Sameer’s story is a testament to the transformative power of a middle-class mindset. It’s a reminder that success is not solely dependent on privilege or connections, but on the values and principles that guide us. For founders, a middle-class mindset can be a powerful asset, instilling resilience, frugality, and grit in the face of adversity.
Source: https://ascendants.in/founders-corner/middle-class-mindset-founder/