How does a middle-class mindset help build better founders?
As the CEO of HealthKart, Sameer Maheshwari has had his fair share of struggles and triumphs. His journey, though unconventional, has taught him valuable lessons that have helped shape him into the entrepreneur he is today. In a recent interview, Maheshwari shared how his middle-class upbringing played a significant role in shaping his entrepreneurial mindset, instilling values that he believes give founders an edge in the competitive startup landscape.
Growing up in a middle-class family, Maheshwari faced his fair share of challenges. He didn’t have the luxury of a safety net or privilege, which forced him to be resourceful and frugal from a young age. “I never had the opportunity to take things for granted,” he says. “I had to work hard to get what I wanted, and that taught me the value of earning everything I had.”
This mindset of earning everything has been a driving force behind Maheshwari’s success. He believes that it’s this ability to earn and build that has given him the resilience and grit to overcome obstacles and push through difficult times. “When you’re from a middle-class background, you don’t have the luxury of making mistakes. You have to be careful with your resources, and that teaches you to be frugal and efficient,” he explains.
Maheshwari’s experience is not unique. Many successful entrepreneurs, including Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, have spoken about the importance of their humble beginnings in shaping their entrepreneurial journey. However, what sets Maheshwari apart is his emphasis on the middle-class mindset as a key factor in building resilience and grit.
So, what exactly is this middle-class mindset, and how can it help build better founders? According to Maheshwari, it’s a combination of three key values: resilience, frugality, and grit.
Resilience
Growing up in a middle-class family means that you’re often forced to adapt to changing circumstances. You may have to move to a new city, switch schools, or adjust to a new household income. This constant flux teaches you to be flexible and adaptable, which is essential for entrepreneurs. “When you’re an entrepreneur, you’re constantly facing uncertainty and unpredictability. You have to be able to pivot quickly and adapt to changing circumstances,” Maheshwari explains.
Resilience is not just about bouncing back from setbacks; it’s also about being able to learn from them. Maheshwari believes that his middle-class upbringing taught him to be more resilient and able to learn from his mistakes. “When you’re from a middle-class background, you don’t have the luxury of making mistakes. You have to be careful with your resources, and that teaches you to be frugal and efficient,” he says.
Frugality
Frugality is another key value that Maheshwari believes is instilled in individuals from middle-class backgrounds. Growing up with limited resources means that you have to be mindful of your spending and make the most of what you have. This teaches you to be resourceful and creative, which is essential for entrepreneurs. “When you’re an entrepreneur, you’re constantly faced with limited resources. You have to be able to make the most of what you have and find creative solutions to problems,” Maheshwari explains.
Frugality is not just about saving money; it’s also about being able to prioritize and focus on what’s truly important. Maheshwari believes that his middle-class upbringing taught him to be more focused and able to prioritize his goals. “When you’re from a middle-class background, you have to be more focused and able to prioritize your goals. You can’t afford to waste time or resources,” he says.
Grit
Grit is the final value that Maheshwari believes is instilled in individuals from middle-class backgrounds. Growing up with limited resources means that you have to work hard to get what you want. This teaches you to be persistent and determined, which is essential for entrepreneurs. “When you’re an entrepreneur, you’re constantly facing obstacles and setbacks. You have to be able to push through and keep going, even when things get tough,” Maheshwari explains.
Grit is not just about being determined; it’s also about being able to persevere in the face of adversity. Maheshwari believes that his middle-class upbringing taught him to be more resilient and able to persevere through difficult times. “When you’re from a middle-class background, you have to be able to persevere and keep going, even when things get tough. You can’t afford to give up,” he says.
Conclusion
Sameer Maheshwari’s journey is a testament to the power of the middle-class mindset. Growing up with limited resources and no safety net taught him valuable lessons that have helped shape him into the entrepreneur he is today. His emphasis on resilience, frugality, and grit as key values that are instilled in individuals from middle-class backgrounds is a timely reminder that success is not just about privilege or talent, but also about the values and mindset that one develops along the way.
For entrepreneurs, the middle-class mindset can be a powerful tool for building resilience, frugality, and grit. It’s a reminder that success is not just about the end goal, but also about the journey and the values that one develops along the way. As Maheshwari says, “The middle-class mindset is not just about where you come from; it’s about the values and mindset that you develop along the way. It’s about being resourceful, frugal, and determined, and these values can help you build a successful entrepreneurial journey.”
Source:
https://ascendants.in/founders-corner/middle-class-mindset-founder/
