Sayandeb Banerjee, founder of AI custom application and solution start-up MathCo, believes the biggest entrepreneurial lesson is humility. “The most important lesson is to continuously listen to your customers and adapt your offerings to meet their needs, all while staying true to your core vision. Often, the barriers to success are an entrepreneur’s ego and the inability to change with time.
With over 25 years in the industry, I’ve witnessed countless changes, both large and small. Each of these changes has required us, as problem solvers, to adapt.”
Anand Chandra, who built Arya.ag to become a leading player in agritech, learned the importance of self-reliance and belief in oneself. He says an entrepreneur must be prepared to navigate challenges independently, without external support.
“Another learning is how important it is to stay grounded. You must prepare to fail, to fall, to adapt and to keep your ego out of the way. Even with time and success, it is extremely important not to become overly attached to your products or processes.
The market ultimately dictates the value of our efforts and offerings and you must respect the market and its needs to be successful.”
Varun Madan, founder of healthy food company Salad Days, learned the importance of staying true to one’s purpose while being adaptable in the approach. “In the beginning, we were sourcing lettuce from local markets, but the quality was inconsistent.
Lessons on adaptation from entrepreneurs
One day, frustrated with a particularly bad batch, I decided to visit some farms myself. I ended up spending days talking to farmers, learning about growing conditions, and even getting my hands dirty. This led to the idea of having our own farm.
It was a turning point for our business, giving us control over our most crucial ingredients.”
Vikas Bagaria, CEO and co-founder of Pee Safe, believes each stage presents its own set of challenges to be overcome. “I believe the greatest challenge any entrepreneur faces is managing and leading people, particularly when working with younger, smarter individuals. It’s about continuously evolving, balancing your experience with fresh perspectives, and effectively guiding a team that’s often more knowledgeable in certain areas.”
Vedant Hamirwasia, director of ODA Class, shares, “I’ve learned that success doesn’t come from grand ideas alone but from the consistent effort to execute those ideas effectively.
Challenges are inevitable, but they are also opportunities to grow and innovate. To all the entrepreneurs out there, focus on understanding your customers, delivering real value, and staying grounded in your mission. The rest will follow.”
Parth Chadha, CEO and co-founder of gaming company STAN, notes the importance of innovation and community building in the gaming industry.
“In the gaming industry, entrepreneurship is not only limited to creating games but also includes fostering vibrant communities of creators and gamers. Such gaming communities inculcate a sense of belongingness, and thus encourage social interactions, collaboration, and competition among members.”
These anecdotes from various entrepreneurs showcase the myriad challenges and lessons faced by start-up founders. As we celebrate World Entrepreneur Day, these stories remind us of the dedication, adaptability, and perseverance required to turn visionary ideas into successful ventures.
- Entrepreneur.”World Entrepreneur Day 2024: Lessons Learnt By Start-up Founders”.
- SMEWeb.”Entrepreneurs win with a people, tech, and value focus”.
- IndiaToday.”Entrepreneurs Day: Insights from visionary leaders shaping the startup landscape”.