How does a middle-class mindset help build better founders?
As the CEO of HealthKart, Sameer Maheshwari has had a journey that is a true testament to the power of a middle-class mindset. Growing up without privilege or a safety net, he learned to earn everything he has, and in the process, turned hardship into strength. In this article, Sameer shares how his middle-class background shaped his entrepreneurial journey, teaching him valuable lessons in resilience, frugality, and grit.
The middle-class mindset is often overlooked as a valuable asset for entrepreneurs, but Sameer’s story highlights its importance. He believes that this mindset gives founders an edge by instilling values that no amount of money can buy, a true entrepreneurial advantage.
Growing up in a middle-class family, Sameer’s childhood was marked by scarcity and limitation. His parents, though loving and supportive, couldn’t provide him with the luxuries that many of his peers enjoyed. This forced him to be resourceful and inventive, learning to make do with what he had. As he grew older, Sameer realized that this scarcity mentality had a profound impact on his worldview.
“I grew up believing that everything I had was earned, not given,” Sameer says. “I didn’t have a trust fund or a safety net. I had to work hard to get what I wanted, and that taught me the value of hard work and perseverance.”
This mindset of earning everything he had served Sameer well as he began his entrepreneurial journey. When he started HealthKart, he was determined to build a business that would be successful on its own merit, not because of his family’s wealth or connections.
“I didn’t have the luxury of taking risks or making mistakes,” Sameer says. “I had to be careful with every decision, every penny, and every step. That taught me to be frugal and to prioritize my resources carefully.”
Frugality is a valuable trait for any entrepreneur, but it’s especially important for those who don’t have a safety net. Sameer’s middle-class upbringing taught him to be resourceful and to make do with what he had, which allowed him to build HealthKart on a shoestring budget.
“I remember when I first started HealthKart, I had to work with a very limited budget,” Sameer says. “I had to be creative and resourceful to get things done. That taught me to think outside the box and to find innovative solutions to problems.”
Grit is another valuable trait that Sameer developed as a result of his middle-class upbringing. Growing up without privilege or a safety net, he had to be resilient in the face of setbacks and failures.
“I had to overcome so many obstacles to get where I am today,” Sameer says. “I had to deal with rejection, failure, and criticism. But I never gave up. I kept pushing forward, and that taught me to be resilient and to never give up on my dreams.”
Resilience is a critical component of entrepreneurship, and Sameer’s middle-class background taught him to develop this trait. By facing challenges head-on and persevering through difficult times, he learned to build a strong mental and emotional foundation, which has served him well in his entrepreneurial journey.
The middle-class mindset also taught Sameer the value of hard work and diligence. Growing up, he had to work multiple jobs to support his family, which taught him the importance of putting in the effort required to achieve success.
“I learned that success doesn’t come easily,” Sameer says. “It takes hard work, dedication, and perseverance. That’s a lesson that has stayed with me throughout my life, and it’s something that I try to instill in my team at HealthKart.”
In conclusion, Sameer’s story highlights the importance of a middle-class mindset for entrepreneurs. Growing up without privilege or a safety net, he learned valuable lessons in resilience, frugality, and grit, which have served him well in his entrepreneurial journey. By instilling these values in his team at HealthKart, Sameer believes that he can build a stronger, more resilient organization that is better equipped to overcome the challenges of the business world.
News Source:
https://ascendants.in/founders-corner/middle-class-mindset-founder/
