How does a middle-class mindset help build better founders?
As a founder, it’s easy to get caught up in the glamour of entrepreneurship. The headlines often focus on the successes of tech moguls and venture capitalists, making it seem like success is reserved for those with privilege and resources. But Sameer Maheshwari, CEO of HealthKart, knows that this isn’t the only path to success. In fact, he believes that a middle-class mindset can provide a significant advantage to founders.
Maheshwari’s own journey is a testament to the power of a middle-class mindset. Growing up in a middle-class family, he didn’t have the luxury of relying on family connections or a safety net. Every achievement, every success, and every failure was earned through hard work and determination. This mindset, he believes, gave him an edge that few others can match.
So, what exactly is a middle-class mindset, and how can it help build better founders? In this post, we’ll explore the values and traits that Maheshwari credits with shaping his journey and how they can be applied to any entrepreneurial endeavor.
Resilience
One of the most significant benefits of a middle-class mindset is the ability to develop resilience. When you’re not born with a silver spoon in your mouth, you quickly learn to adapt to adversity. Maheshwari recalls struggling to make ends meet during his early days as an entrepreneur, working multiple jobs to make a living while also building his business. These experiences taught him to be resourceful, to think on his feet, and to never give up in the face of failure.
Resilience is a critical trait for any founder, as setbacks and failures are inevitable. With a middle-class mindset, you’re more likely to view these challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, rather than as insurmountable obstacles. This mindset allows you to bounce back from adversity, to pivot when necessary, and to keep moving forward, even in the face of uncertainty.
Frugality
Another key characteristic of a middle-class mindset is frugality. When you’re used to living on a tight budget, you quickly learn to prioritize and make the most of every rupee. Maheshwari credits his frugal upbringing with teaching him the importance of cost-effective decision-making and the value of hard work.
As a founder, this mindset can be invaluable. You’re less likely to waste resources on unnecessary expenses or lavish lifestyles, and more likely to focus on what really matters – building a sustainable business that can thrive over the long term.
Grit
Grit is another essential component of a middle-class mindset. When you’re not given a free pass, you learn to push through challenges and persevere, even when the going gets tough. Maheshwari remembers feeling like he was constantly fighting an uphill battle as a young entrepreneur, but he refused to give up. Instead, he channeled his energy into building his business, and his determination paid off.
Grit is a critical trait for any founder, as it allows you to push through the inevitable setbacks and failures that come with building a business. With a middle-class mindset, you’re more likely to view challenges as opportunities to prove yourself, rather than as reasons to throw in the towel.
The entrepreneurial advantage
So, what does all of this mean for entrepreneurs? In a world where privilege and resources can often give founders a head start, a middle-class mindset can provide a significant advantage. By instilling values like resilience, frugality, and grit, you’re better equipped to handle the challenges that come with building a business.
Maheshwari believes that this mindset is what sets apart successful entrepreneurs from those who are merely lucky. While privilege can provide a temporary advantage, it’s the middle-class mindset that ultimately leads to long-term success.
Conclusion
Sameer Maheshwari’s journey is a testament to the power of a middle-class mindset. By embracing the values and traits that come with living on a tight budget, he was able to build a successful business and create a lasting impact.
As entrepreneurs, we can learn from Maheshwari’s example. By adopting a middle-class mindset, we can develop the resilience, frugality, and grit needed to succeed in the face of adversity. This mindset may not provide the same level of resources or privilege as other founders, but it can give us a true entrepreneurial advantage – the ability to build a business that is truly our own.
Source: https://ascendants.in/founders-corner/middle-class-mindset-founder/
