How Does a Middle-Class Mindset Help Build Better Founders?
As a founder, it’s easy to get caught up in the glamour and hype surrounding entrepreneurship. The media often portrays startup founders as young, privileged, and supported by wealthy families or networks. However, this narrative is far from the reality faced by many entrepreneurs, including Sameer Maheshwari, CEO of HealthKart.
In an exclusive interview with Ascendants, Sameer shared his personal story of growing up with a middle-class mindset, which he credits with shaping his journey as a founder. He believes that this mindset, characterized by resilience, frugality, and grit, gives founders a unique edge that no amount of money can buy.
Growing up in a middle-class family, Sameer knew that everything he had was earned. His parents, though not wealthy, instilled in him a strong work ethic and the importance of being self-sufficient. This mindset served as a constant reminder that success was not a given, but something that required effort and perseverance.
As a young professional, Sameer faced many challenges, including limited resources and a lack of connections. However, he refused to let these obstacles hold him back. Instead, he used them as opportunities to learn and grow, often taking on multiple jobs to make ends meet.
This experience of living with limited means taught Sameer the value of frugality. He learned to prioritize spending, to negotiate, and to find creative solutions to problems. These skills, he believes, are essential for any entrepreneur, as they allow you to adapt to changing circumstances and make the most of limited resources.
The middle-class mindset also instilled in Sameer a sense of resilience. When faced with setbacks or failures, he knew that he couldn’t afford to give up. He had to keep pushing forward, no matter how difficult the situation seemed. This resilience, he believes, is a key characteristic of successful founders, as it allows them to bounce back from adversity and keep moving forward.
Another key aspect of the middle-class mindset is grit. Sameer’s parents taught him that success is not a destination, but a journey. They encouraged him to work hard, to persevere, and to never give up. This mindset helped him develop a growth mindset, where he saw challenges as opportunities for growth and learning.
So, how does this middle-class mindset help build better founders? For Sameer, it’s about the values that this mindset instills. It’s about being resourceful, adaptable, and resilient. It’s about having a strong work ethic and a willingness to learn from failure. These values, he believes, are essential for any entrepreneur, as they provide a foundation for success and help you navigate the ups and downs of the entrepreneurial journey.
Moreover, the middle-class mindset helps founders stay grounded and humble. When you’re not surrounded by wealth and privilege, you’re forced to focus on the things that truly matter – your skills, your ideas, and your impact. This humility, Sameer believes, is essential for building strong relationships and fostering a sense of community within your organization.
In conclusion, Sameer’s story serves as a powerful reminder that entrepreneurship is not just about having a great idea or a strong network. It’s about having the right mindset, one that is shaped by values such as resilience, frugality, and grit. These values, he believes, are essential for building a successful startup, and they can be developed through experience, hard work, and a willingness to learn.
As entrepreneurs, we often focus on the wrong things – the latest trends, the hottest startups, and the most successful founders. However, Sameer’s story reminds us that true success is not about external validation or recognition. It’s about the values we hold dear, the lessons we learn along the way, and the impact we make on the world.
News Source: https://ascendants.in/founders-corner/middle-class-mindset-founder/
