
How does a middle-class mindset help build better founders?
As I sat down to talk to Sameer Maheshwari, the CEO of HealthKart, I was eager to learn more about the journey that has made him the successful entrepreneur he is today. As we began our conversation, I was struck by the sense of humility and gratitude that radiated from him. It was clear that his journey had been marked by hard work, resilience, and a strong sense of determination. And as he shared his story with me, I realized that it was his middle-class mindset that had played a significant role in shaping him into the founder he is today.
For Sameer, growing up in a middle-class family meant that he had to work hard to achieve his goals. There was no safety net, no handouts, and no guarantees of success. His parents, while supportive, expected him to earn his own keep and make a name for himself. This was a valuable lesson that he learned early on – that success was not something that was handed to him, but something that he had to earn.
This middle-class mindset taught Sameer the importance of frugality. He learned to live with limited resources, to prioritize his spending, and to make do with what he had. This mindset is one that has served him well throughout his entrepreneurial journey, as he has had to make tough decisions and sacrifice short-term gains for long-term sustainability.
But it wasn’t just about being frugal. Sameer’s middle-class upbringing also instilled in him a sense of resilience. He learned to face challenges head-on, to roll with the punches, and to never give up. This mindset is essential for any entrepreneur, as they are constantly facing new challenges and overcoming obstacles.
And then there was grit. Sameer’s middle-class mindset taught him to be resourceful, to find creative solutions to problems, and to persevere even when things seemed impossible. This grit is what has driven him to succeed, even in the face of adversity.
So, how does this middle-class mindset help build better founders? For Sameer, it’s about the values that it instills. When you grow up with limited resources, you learn to value hard work, frugality, and resilience. You learn to be resourceful, to adapt, and to make do with what you have. And these are the very same values that are essential for an entrepreneur.
In an interview with Ascendants, Sameer emphasized that these values are priceless. “No amount of money can buy these values,” he said. “They are the foundation upon which successful entrepreneurs are built. And it’s only by instilling these values in ourselves that we can build a strong foundation for our businesses.”
But it’s not just about the individual. Sameer believes that the middle-class mindset can also benefit the business itself. “When you run a business with a middle-class mindset, you’re more likely to be resourceful, to innovate, and to find creative solutions to problems,” he said. “You’re more likely to be resilient, to adapt, and to persevere. And these are the very same qualities that are essential for business success.”
So, what can founders learn from Sameer’s middle-class mindset? Here are a few key takeaways:
- Value hard work: Success is not something that is handed to you. It’s something that you have to earn. And the only way to earn it is through hard work and dedication.
- Be frugal: Don’t waste your resources. Prioritize your spending, and make do with what you have.
- Develop resilience: Challenges are inevitable. But it’s how you respond to them that matters. Develop a sense of resilience, and never give up.
- Find creative solutions: Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Find creative solutions to problems, and be resourceful.
- Persevere: Success is not a destination. It’s a journey. And it’s only by persevering that you can achieve your goals.
In conclusion, Sameer’s middle-class mindset has played a significant role in shaping him into the successful founder he is today. It has instilled in him values that are essential for entrepreneurship – hard work, frugality, resilience, and grit. And it’s these values that have given him a true entrepreneurial advantage. As founders, we would do well to learn from his example, and to adopt a middle-class mindset of our own.
Source: https://ascendants.in/founders-corner/middle-class-mindset-founder/