FounderGraphy (2024)

26/09/2023

This is what’s called being a TRUE social entrepreneur!

Neelam Jain once used to work at Goldman Sachs.

But instead of climbing the corporate ladder, she saw an issue close to her heart.

Many in India's transpeople community were struggling, resorting to begging and s*x work just to survive.

So, Neelam made a bold move. She left her job at Goldman Sachs and started her own venture.

Her brainchild, PeriFerry, is all about social inclusion.

It's a startup dedicated to helping the LGBTQIA community find stable employment.

They offer free training in vital skills like communication, grooming, and basic computer know-how.

PeriFerry reaches out to LGBTQIA individuals through various means: referrals, social media, field visits, personal contacts, and their website.

And here's the inspiring part: PeriFerry has changed the lives of more than 400 trans people.

They're now gainfully employed in both small and large companies, taking on roles in HR, graphic design, accounting, tech support, makeup, hospitality, and even food delivery.

Here's the advice Neelam gave for those looking to make a social impact:

1. Self-belief more than social belief

Fearlessness is key. Believe in your idea even when others doubt it.

2. Change routes, not destination:

Your path might twist and turn, but your destination should remain clear.

Keep your ultimate goal in mind, even when you face seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Adapt and innovate, as social change is not a straightforward journey.

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14/09/2023

He left his high-paying job and built a ₹200 CRORE startup!

I often come across people expressing discontent with their current jobs and entertaining the idea of launching their own businesses.

So, I decided to have a chat with Founder of , , and delve into his journey of leaving a lucrative job to establish a 200 crore-valued company.

During our conversation, I posed two questions:

1. What were some of the major hurdles you encountered in the initial phases of founding Invact after leaving your stable job?

His response challenged the common belief that finding a co-founder is the magic solution to startup challenges.

Many assume that an MBA needs an engineer, and an engineer needs an MBA to pull off a start-up.

However, he emphasized that a co-founder isn't a one-size-fits-all answer to startup issues.

You, yourself, hold the key to solving them.

2. What advice would you offer to individuals with stable jobs who aspire to start their own business, based on your own experiences?

Tanay's advice was clear:

Don't bid farewell to your job until you have genuine confidence that your startup can replace your current income.

In the early stages, work on it during weekends, assess how much you enjoy the journey, and decide if it aligns with your long-term aspirations.

Rushing this decision is ill-advised; take your time, weigh the options, and choose what suits your unique situation best.

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04/09/2023

How did this 22 year old started an agency and made 10 crores in the FIRST YEAR?

Meet .a, the brains behind Finnet Media.

Finnet Media is one of India's most promising talent management, video production, and influencer marketing agencies, and it's still in its infancy.

What's more astonishing is that within just one year, they raked in a staggering INR 10 crores in revenue, marking a phenomenal 200% growth in a mere 10 months.

Ayush and his team are working closely with emerging social media influencers like Akshat Srivastava, Jay Kapoor, Sharan Hegde, and more.

So, what there’s to learn from Ayush's journey?

A lot:

1. Eyes out for opportunities

Ayush founded Finnet Media in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He saw something that others might have missed – an opportunity deeply rooted in the creator economy.

When you’re on a constant lookout for problems to solve, you eventually one the find that’s made for you to solve.

2. Network like there's no tomorrow

Ayush didn't shy away from sending cold emails to some of the big shots like Tanmay Bhat.

And guess what? He actually got a response.

He suggests keeping your emails short, sweet, and relevant to the person.

3. Gratitude beats procrastination

Ayush lives by a simple philosophy:

When you're genuinely grateful for the opportunities that come your way, it becomes a powerful motivator to beat procrastination.

You won't squander valuable chances just because of a lazy mood.

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30/08/2023

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18/08/2023

3 lessons from the book ReWork that will change your perspective FOREVER!

Since I've focused on self-improvement, I've developed a love for re-reading books.

Last night, I started re-reading my favorite book, "ReWork."

Whenever I feel like I'm not getting results, this book serves as a reminder to keep my expectations in check and stay on track.

Written by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, the founders of 37signals, “ReWork" offers valuable insights on how to succeed with less and achieve greatness with smaller teams.

As I continue my entrepreneurial journey, here are a few key lessons I've learned from Jason's book that I always keep in mind:

1. Be smart about who you work with:

Having zero clients is any day better than having toxic clients.

Focus on working with people who empower your energy and challenge you to do better in life.

2. Start small first:

Before starting something, we think we need a hundred things before reaching the starting point.

Start with what you have.

And if you really need what you think in the future, you’ll find a way to get it.

But for now, start with what you have.

3. Have low mass:

The bigger the cost of change is, the less likely you are to make it.

There’s a benefit side to everything when you look hard enough.

You can afford to make mistakes and get back up quickly.

Embrace the idea of having less.

Which point made you think the most?

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08/08/2023

How this DU student built a MULTI-CRORE business with no MONEY!

As a student at Ramjas College, Sunny faced the struggle of finding a good PG in Delhi University.

Instead of complaining, he took matters into his own hands and founded Yoursell, a service that provided PGs to DU students.

But he didn't stop there.

Sunny saw what other PGs and hostels lacked and made sure his services addressed those needs.

In just over 3 years, Yoursell grew to accommodate over 1000 people, serving a staggering 90,000 meals in a month.

Then at 22, he sold Yoursell at a multi-million dollar valuation.

But Sunny's entrepreneurial journey didn't end there.

He decided to start Crib, a company that helps businesses like Yoursell perform even better.

Executing Yoursell was incredibly tough, and when he made his exit—it gave him a new mission.

Now through Crib, he tackled the ex*****on problems that often plague hostel and PG businesses.

One of the biggest lessons Sunny learned along the way was the importance of having a co-founder.

He stressed that having someone to share the journey with is essential, especially during the tough times.

Of course, having a co-founder doesn't mean smooth sailing all the time.

But when you have a co-founder, conflicts are natural to cross path with.

To get them out of the way, accept your own mistakes first.

Anyone can be wrong, and there’s nothing wrong in it.

But if you’ll never admit it, you’ll always be solving the wrong problem.

Acknowledge your mistakes, so that you can move on to the most important step:

Solving the problem.

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07/08/2023

How Think School is shaping the education system of India!

Their philosophy is clear: the current education system is stuck in the Industrial Revolution era.

It needs a solid upgrade to meet the ever-changing demands of the job market.

Founded by Parsh and Ganeshprasad, Think School is all about adaptability and staying ahead of the game.

With their YouTube channel boasting over 33 lakh subscribers and 1.5 crore monthly views, they're already making waves.

Ganesh’s major success comes down to his ability to explain things in a simpler manner.

In an interview, Ganeshprasad was asked about how he’s able to do it.

He said that he used to observe his professors do it in class, and then he started imitating them.

Before he knew it, he already started getting good at it.

I was lucky enough to attend one of their masterclass QnA sessions.

I asked them how I could improve my skills in explaining things, as I was struggling to put my thoughts into words.

The advice was gold.

They suggested starting by writing down whatever I wanted to explain.

And prepping in advance for any specific questions I might face.

Simple yet effective.

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01/08/2023

3 finance tips from Sharan Hegde for building WEALTH in your 20s!

Before venturing into content creation, Sharan excelled as a management consultant at KPMG.

However, his passion for finance and the desire to share knowledge led him to the world of content creation.

Thus, he established The 1% Club – a remarkable community of finance enthusiasts to learn and grow their money together.

Now, let's delve into Sharan's three golden nuggets of finance wisdom:

1. Start learning about finance from content:

You need not be an expert right away. A wealth of financial knowledge is available for you in blogs, videos, podcasts, and more.

2. You need way less money than you think for retirement:

Yes, it may sound surprising, but it's true.

It's not solely about accumulating vast wealth.

Understanding your expenses and managing them wisely is non-negotiable.

3. Invest in yourself:

Education and personal growth hold the key.

Participate in workshops, enroll in courses, or seek guidance from experienced mentors.

Never underestimate investing in yourself.

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29/07/2023

Two simple business principles Raj Shamani follows, which made him CRORES!

Raj Shamani is an entrepreneur-turned-content-creator.

He’s been building businesses ever since he was 16.

Currently, all his mind is focused on building House of X.

House of X collaborates with huge creators to build a consumer brand and monetize their audience.

Having been on the entrepreneurial journey for so long, he’s got plenty of business wisdom in his pocket.

These two business lessons are inspired just by that:

1. Share your dreams with everyone

Talk about your dreams with everyone.

No matter where you are on your journey, share them with the world.

You never know who you might run into, and they might help you achieve your goals faster.

2. Study the customers as much as you study the business:

Consumers are evolving now more than ever, and so are their choices.

In such cases, you need to grasp what things are causing their behavior to change.

When you do this, you’ll start to notice patterns.

These patterns are your winning keys to creating and selling a product that your customers would love.

Do the market research.

See what’s making people change their minds.

Then, create and build accordingly.

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17/07/2023

3 mistakes to avoid if you want to be a leader like Ankur Warikoo.

1. Your words matter, but your actions matter more.

People won't go deep thinking behind your actions and try to find the rationale behind them.

What your actions say is what they will believe.

2. You speak more, you know less:

The more you speak doesn't equal how clear you are.

When you talk, you're not listening—you're only repeating what you already know.

Hence, if you want to know more, then speak less.

3. Great employees don't make great managers:

If someone's good at their job, it doesn't necessarily mean that they will be good managers as well.

Managing yourself is easy, but managing others is a different ball game.

A person needs to be trained to be able to coach and mentor what they know to others.

I admire Ankur and what he does. Everything aside, his leadership qualities are something to learn from.

Which point did you like the most?

14/07/2023

5 things that make Chai Sutta Bar SO successful today!

For those who don't know, Chai Sutta Bar is a bootstrapped business.

A bootstrapped business is one that only uses the business's revenue to grow and has no investors.

Bootstrapped startups are extremely hard to grow, especially in their initial phases.

So how did Anubhav Dubey, founder of Chai Sutta Bar did it?

Here are 5 key takeaways from his journey that will help you to build bootstrap startup:

1. Smart Spending, Sustainable Growth

To build a bootstrapped startup, cut unnecessary expenses. Avoid splurging on luxury offices and fancy products. Keep costs low and focus on sustainable growth.

2. Revenue is King

From day one, prioritize generating revenue for your business. Don't get caught up in automation, talent, or office setup. Your main goal should be bringing money in.

3. Spend Wisely

Be mindful of your spending. Invest in resources that truly add value to your business. Always question if something deserves your money. Spend where it makes a significant impact.

4. Reinvest for the Future

Reinvest your net profit to fuel long-term growth. Don't settle for small gains. By reinvesting, you'll see your profits grow even bigger over time.

5. Customers are Your Champions

Your customers are your greatest asset for exponential growth. Understand their preferences and habits, and regularly seek their feedback.

Focus on keeping your customers happy, and they will become passionate advocates for your brand. Stay connected with your customers.

Which point do you think is the most important for running a bootstrapped startup?

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08/07/2023

Meet Ashish Kashyap, a remarkable entrepreneur who knows how to turn challenges into triumphs.

He started his career at the Times of India and later became the first Country Head of Google India.

But his true success story began with founding the Goibibo app and later redBus under Ibibo Group.

Driven by a passion for transparent finance management, Ashish sold Ibibo for a whopping $1.8 billion and started INDmoney, a tech platform valued at $650 million.

With , people can effortlessly manage their investments, liabilities, and taxes all in one place.

Over these years, Ashish has grown exponentially, and so has his ability to understand people.

When it comes to assessing individuals, he has a keen eye for three key qualities:

1. Curiosity: Ashish values those who possess a genuine thirst for knowledge and an eagerness to explore new horizons.

2. Energy:

He seeks individuals who radiate energy and enthusiasm, as they bring a dynamic and vibrant spirit to any team or project.

Their positive energy can inspire and motivate others, creating an uplifting work environment.

3. Problem-solving:

Ashish recognizes the importance of individuals who possess strong problem-solving skills.

Those who can analyze challenges, think creatively, and develop effective solutions are invaluable assets in any endeavor.

Ashish's key advice for successful management is to define a clear purpose and objective that unites the entire team.

This approach has earned him awards like 'Promising Entrepreneurs of India' and the Naspers Founder Award.

He's an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs everywhere.

This was today's story for Learn From Founders about another marvelous mind.

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05/07/2023

3 personal finance truths that made Pranjal Kamra a millionaire!

1. Insurance

Before you buy a stock or invest your money anywhere, buy insurance first.

Consider insurance as the 101 of personal finance.

Cover yourself and your family today if you haven't already.

2. Why does Pranjal invest in sovereign gold?

Sovereign gold is when you buy and own gold, but the physical possession stays in the hands of the government.

It's a safe way to invest in gold.

Besides, the government offers an additional interest of 2.5% per annum to the owner without any capital gains tax.

Furthermore, a stock's price goes down when the country goes down.

But the price of gold goes down when the entire world's economy goes down.

3. Emergency fund

Create an FD fund that covers the expenses of your family for at least 8-10 months.

The way Covid-19 hit everyone, the importance of an emergency fund became more sensible than ever.

Which of these points made you think the most?

03/07/2023

This startup wants to distribute $100 MILLION in SCHOLARSHIPS to students from middle-class families!

And the best part is that they have already distributed $6 million so far.

This is the story about SecureMyScholarship founded by CraigFernandes.

It is a Dubai-based startup working towards making education affordable and accessible to all students.

But like every other successful startup, they have had their own fair share of struggles, so let's learn from them:

1. How they penetrated the education industry of Dubai:

When they first entered the higher education industry, nobody took them seriously.

But they believed in their model and kept pushing. After eight long months, they finally got their foot in the door with four University partners.

Fast forward to today, and SecureMyScholarship is the biggest education marketplace in Dubai, working with almost every private university in the city.

2. Biggest challenge: How to monetize their platform?

Back in the early days of their startup, making money was their biggest obstacle.

Then, a lifeline appeared. A University offered them a performance-based deal that had a one-month deadline.

It was a sink-or-swim moment.

They launched a new feature, and raked in $30k in revenue!

That very feature, then known as Lock&Stock Scholarships, has become the heart and soul of their platform, SecureMyScholarship.

3. One value nugget:

When it comes to building a team, culture is key. It's the defining factor that sets your team and startup apart from the rest.

Take the time to establish a unique way of working, a shared ethos that binds everyone together.

But it doesn't stop there. Once you've cultivated that culture, nurture it by hiring and promoting these values.

What did you learn from SecureMyScholarship's journey?

01/07/2023

5 lifestyle changes that made Zerodha's co-founder, Nikhil Kamath, successful!

1. Sleep

We all underestimate sleep, and sometimes, it feels like something we just have to get over with.

But that's not what our body thinks.

Your sleep is more important than what you eat or how much you work out.

Take care of the quality of your sleep if you want to be happy and rich in life.

2. Surround yourself with nice people

You become what you think.

When there are nice and kind people all around you, you can't help but be nice and kind to others as well.

3. Limit your social media

Everyone showcases the highlights of their life on social media.

If you mistake their Instagram pictures for their actual lifestyle every day of the year, you're fooling yourself.

4. Consume knowledge

Pick one thing that fascinates you and teach yourself that subject/skill a little every day.

There's no need to finish 52 books a year.

The more mindfully you read, the more knowledge you gain.

5. Control your lifestyle

As your income increases, don't keep upgrading your lifestyle.

After a certain point, learn to live a certain kind of life and find joy and meaning in it.

A peaceful person does not need to brag to others about how much money they make.

24/06/2023

The Adani Group is receiving trust from international bankers: ING Bank NV, Mizuho Bank, MUFG Bank, Natixis, Standard Chartered Bank, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Act as Mandated Lead Arrangers and Book-Runners.
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22/06/2023

, the CEO of SUGAR Cosmetics, founded Sugar in 2015 with her husband .

The premise upon which Sugar was built was that the brand would offer beauty products in a:

- Mid-price range
- Durable
- Suitable for Indian skin types

The international brands lacked here, and this is where Sugar decided to make its mark.

But no matter how good your business model is, you can never have the perfect product.

Here are the three factors that define Sugar's success today:

1. Be different, but stay relevant:

Vineeta’s second startup was about delivering makeup products on a subscription model.

It failed because their consumers didn’t get their offer properly.

Always remember: People buy what they understand.

2. Be the voice of your youth:

Vineeta understood the gap in the beauty industry.

She was dealing with consumers who were the same age as hers, so she knew what their pain points are.

3. You can't build a brand you don't love:

Vineeta's first startup was making her barely ₹10,000/month.

In an interview with Raj Shamani, she confessed that she didn't like her first startup at all.

She wanted to do something for India in the beauty sector.

And that's how Sugar was born.

This was today's story for Learn From Founders, where I bring the most valuable lessons from the most interesting startup stories.

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What did you like the most about Sugar Cosmetics?

13/06/2023

In 2021, Shraddha Desai, formerly a sales representative at Golds Gym and a dedicated housewife for five years, made a courageous leap, leaving her job to embark on an entrepreneurial journey

Shraddha Desai's passion for health and wellness is evident in the creation of Aayudhara Agrofoods. She understands the importance of healthy living and wants to make it easier for others to make better choices.

Aayudhara Agrofoods produces a range of cold-pressed oils, meticulously crafted in-house with utmost care. Every product undergoes rigorous quality checks to ensure unparalleled purity in each pack.

The brand offers a wide range of cold-pressed oils, including coconut oil, almond oil, Groundnut oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, mustard oil, sesame oil, and Deepam Oil as well.

Aayudhara is currently accessible through its website and physical store, with plans to expand to popular B2C platforms like Amazon and Flipkart.

Aayudhara envisions becoming the sole trusted brand in India for pure cold-pressed oils and other products.

12/05/2023

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19/03/2023

is the founder of Avalance Global Solutions, a cyber security company that facilitates complete security solutions in the digital space.

The company founded in 2015, raised around Rs 2.2 million fund till date & has 2 subsidiaries AISOC and Zeustride that optimizes security investments & curbs online privacy respectively.

The company’s products and services have been adopted by Meta (formerly known as Facebook Inc.), Dubai Police, Pepsico, Government of Dubai, Reliance, Tata, Oyo, and Zomato.

With a successful track record, Manan is now focused on making web 3.0 a secured infrastructure over the digital ecosystem.

Web3 or Web 3.0 is the next iteration of the internet that promotes the decentralized & reduces dependency on large companies like FB, Google, Netflix & more.

Web3 is the concept of edge computing that uses platforms built on blockchain, cryptocurrency, BFTs & other technological innovations.

Shah believes that Web3 can change the facet of every sector, promising that his company is enhancing by providing security to blockchain technology.

Avalance, whose purpose is to build security infrastructure for the blockchain & cybersecurity industry, is also planning to launch its utility token soon.

Today, with a unique vision & capabilities far ahead of its time, Avalance Global Solutions has made its presence on an international scale.

28/02/2023

has lived an entrepreneurial life that can inspire us all.

At 14, he sold pamphlets for shopkeepers and made ₹200/day.

When he was 17, he was running three momo stalls, and then, with a breakfast eatery, he was making ₹3,000-₹4,000 a day.

When he went to renowned coffee shops like Starbucks and Cafe Coffee Day, he dreamt of a coffee shop of his own.

He opened through which he sold coffee in beer bottles priced each at ₹100.

Theka changed his life, but the pandemic flipped Theka’s life upside down.

He had to shut down all his stores, his co-founder exited in the middle of debt, and he even had to sell his car.

He found the courage to start everything from the bottom again, and in January 2022, he got to pitch at Shark Tank India.

He couldn’t receive funding, but what he received was far more valuable - fame for Theka Coffee.

He’s been an active entrepreneur since the age of 14, and his business lessons will floor us all:

👉 Entrepreneurship is a mindset.

A college degree or business designation doesn’t make you an entrepreneur, rather it’s a lifestyle and a way of leading a business.

👉 Being invincible.

Bhupinder’s business was shut in every possible way, but he believed in his business’s vision.

The vision allowed him to restart everything and rethink his approach to this business.

👉 Your mistakes are your stepping stones.

Bhupinder figured his cafés on high streets were causing a massive expense, hence, the next time he chose to operate from carts.

Your mistakes will pull you down, but they’ll also show you how to go up again.

These were the few remarkable points from Bhupinder’s rise, fall and then re-rise.

What fascinated you the most about Theka’s journey? Let’s take it up in the comments!

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21/02/2023

This is the story of , whose life took a massive U-turn when he used to car racing as a teenager.

His father called him into the office to tell him about the business losses. He had sold their house and car.

This flipped Avi’s life upside down.

The next day, he found his father checking people in and out at the back of their guest house.

28 years later, he’s now a hotelier turned social media marketer and founded Internet Focus.

In his business years, he picked up some lessons that not only made his business expand 10x, but you can also replicate the same.

👉 Hold your bonds:

We quickly get confused about what to choose: family or work.

But soon, realize that the answer doesn’t lie in black and white. It’s in the grey area.

It’s upon us to find the right balance that doesn’t take away any of the two from us.

👉 Shortest, simplest, and smartest introduction:

People will easily forget you if you don’t tell them who you are.

Although, always talking about yourself can come across as a self-absorbed attitude.

To tackle this: have an introduction that tells who you are, what you have done, and what you are doing right now.

The shorter it is, the easier you’ll be able to recite it, and people will remember it. Hence, a win-win for both parties.

👉 Work out to stand out:

When I met Avi, he heavily emphasized why I should work out.

Not just me. He urged every founder to start working out because of the confidence it brings and builds.

Avi’s curious and young mind, even when most people aren’t willing to experiment, is commendable.

What is it about his story that moved you? Let’s talk about it in the comments!

Follow for more founders’ journeys.

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