How does a middle-class mindset help build better founders?
As entrepreneurs, we often talk about the traits and skills that make a successful founder. Resilience, adaptability, and grit are some of the most commonly cited characteristics. But what shapes these traits? Is it something that can be learned or is it innate? For Sameer Maheshwari, CEO of HealthKart, his middle-class upbringing played a crucial role in shaping his entrepreneurial journey.
In a recent interview with Ascendants, Sameer shared how his middle-class mindset helped him build the strength, resilience, and determination that have been essential to his success. He believes that this mindset, which is often overlooked in favor of more glamorous entrepreneurial tales, is a significant advantage for founders.
Growing up in a middle-class family, Sameer never took anything for granted. His parents, both working professionals, instilled in him the value of hard work and frugality from a young age. Sameer’s early childhood was marked by financial struggles, and he had to work part-time jobs to support his education. This experience taught him the importance of being resourceful and earning everything he got.
“I never had the luxury of taking things for granted,” Sameer says. “I had to work for everything, from my education to my clothes and food. This taught me to be frugal, to prioritize, and to be grateful for what I had.”
This middle-class mindset, which emphasizes the importance of hard work and self-reliance, had a profound impact on Sameer’s worldview. It taught him to be resilient in the face of adversity, to adapt to changing circumstances, and to never give up on his goals.
When Sameer started his entrepreneurial journey, he drew on these values to navigate the challenges he faced. As the founder of HealthKart, he had to overcome numerous obstacles, from finding investors to building a team and scaling the business. But he never felt entitled to success, and he never expected things to come easily.
“I believe that the middle-class mindset helps you build a strong foundation for entrepreneurship,” Sameer says. “When you don’t have a safety net, you’re forced to be resourceful, to think on your feet, and to take calculated risks. This mindset is essential for building a successful business.”
The middle-class mindset also instills a sense of humility in entrepreneurs. When you’re not born with a silver spoon in your mouth, you’re more likely to be grateful for the opportunities you have and to recognize the value of hard work. This humility can be a significant advantage in the entrepreneurial world, where ego and arrogance can often be major obstacles to success.
“Most entrepreneurs who have had the luxury of having everything handed to them on a platter often struggle with humility,” Sameer says. “They don’t know the value of hard work, and they often underestimate the challenges they’ll face. In contrast, entrepreneurs who have had to work hard to achieve their goals are more grounded, more focused, and more resilient.”
The middle-class mindset is also closely tied to the concept of grit. Grit, popularized by Angela Duckworth, refers to the combination of passion and perseverance that allows individuals to achieve their goals despite obstacles and setbacks. The middle-class mindset, with its emphasis on hard work and self-reliance, is the perfect breeding ground for grit.
“Growing up in a middle-class family taught me to be gritty,” Sameer says. “I never had the luxury of giving up, of saying ‘oh, things are too tough.’ I had to keep pushing, keep striving, and keep believing in myself. And that’s exactly what I did when I started HealthKart.”
So, what can we learn from Sameer’s experience? How can we apply the middle-class mindset to our own entrepreneurial journeys?
For starters, we can learn to be more grateful for what we have. When we’re not born with privilege, we’re more likely to appreciate the opportunities we have and to recognize the value of hard work. This gratitude can be a powerful motivator, driving us to work harder and to achieve more.
We can also learn to be more resourceful and adaptable. When we’re faced with challenges, we can’t always rely on others to help us out. We have to be able to think on our feet, to find creative solutions, and to pivot when necessary. This resourcefulness is essential for building a successful business.
Finally, we can learn to be more humble and grounded. When we’re not entitled to success, we’re more likely to recognize the value of hard work and to stay focused on our goals. We’re less likely to get distracted by ego and arrogance, and we’re more likely to stay true to our vision.
In conclusion, the middle-class mindset is a significant advantage for founders. It teaches us the value of hard work, self-reliance, and gratitude, and it instills in us the resilience, adaptability, and grit that are essential for entrepreneurial success. Whether we’re born into a middle-class family or not, we can learn from Sameer’s experience and apply these values to our own journeys.
Source:
https://ascendants.in/founders-corner/middle-class-mindset-founder/
