Hello reader, welcome to NxtDecade’s very first blog! Now that we’ve chosen to talk about startups, I thought it is wise to discuss “the startup mindset” first. After all, everything starts with the mind.
You will agree that a startup can be a roller coaster ride. Well, this is how things work in the business world. Therefore, before you risk it all, make sure you’re startup ready. By this I mean you have, what they call “the startup mindset”.
So, what is the “startup mindset”?
What does it comprise of?
Wouldn’t it be better if we ask an entrepreneur?
Definitely, yes! So, to get our answer I decided to collaborate with Dr. Shyam Prashad Rajasekaran. For those who don’t know him, he is the co-founder and CEO of Veg Route Agri Tech.
Dr Shyam Prashad Rajasekaran is the co-founder & CTO of VegRoute. NxtDecade sincerely thanks Dr. Shyam for sharing his knowledge and experience with us, which helped us make this article more authentic and valuable.
So, scroll down and let’s hope this article helps you!
1. Self-Learning
When I asked Dr. Shyam about the first quality an aspiring entrepreneur should have, his instant response was “self-learning”.
According to him, a classroom can never teach you entrepreneurship. Building a startup is a process of self-learning and self-growth. It cannot be taught by a book or a professor.
You always have to be open to learning. Not from a book but from your surroundings. As Dr. Shyam says, this can happen through observation and self-evaluation. You learn from others, their successes, and their failures. You learn from situations and opportunities.
The process of building a startup is such. In order to solve new challenges, you always have to upgrade your inner qualities and skills. But if you think, you know it all, then that’s a big red signal for your startup’s success.
2. Do it for Passion, Not Money
“Earning money is very easy, but to be able to source great people is what’s of value.”
This is the one great line that I got to hear from Dr Shyam. If you wanna build a startup, do it for passion and not for money. If you aren’t passionate about your idea, don’t do it.
A startup isn’t a corporate job with fixed hours of work and weekend trips. To build your company, you’ll have to work your ass off. And it can only be possible if you have a passion for what you’re doing.
3. Be Ready to Step Out of Your Comfort Zones
A startup can push you beyond your comfort levels. Be ready to make little to big sacrifices. Keep your self-respect, shyness and sleep aside. Forget the joys of job-security and fixed salaries. If you restrict or constrain yourself with the traditional social boundaries, nothing’s gonna happen.
When Dr. Shyam told me about the initial days of his entrepreneurial journey, I was literally amazed.
He had no business card, no appointments, and no presentation. Just a little bit of money in his pocket. Yet he went from school to school pitching his first startup idea, Twirltact. And today his company is successfully operating in more than hundred schools. If he would have been hesitant and cautious about his self-image in the initial days, this would not happen.
4. Go on an Ego-Break!
When you talk to Dr Shyam, you will realise how humble a person he is. It seems ego was never a problem for him. And that’s what he suggests to anyone who aspires to build a startup of his own.
“If you’re an egoist, you can never be a great learner.”, says Dr Shyam.
He treats everyone as equals and is always ready to extract knowledge from even his juniors and also children.
5. Be a Problem Solver
Entrepreneurship is all about solving problems. Rather some huge problems of the world.
So, if you wanna turn into an entrepreneur, learn to focus on the solution.
We can learn it from Dr. Shyam. He finds immense joy in solving people’s problems. Both his startups are in a way solving huge problems in society.
With Twirltact, he aspires to educate the school kids in the field of technology.
And his second endeavor, Veg Route provides a direct food supply chain between farmers and customers. Also, through this Shyam generated multiple employment opportunities for transgenders and unemployed rural women.
6. Embrace Failure
Another great teacher in your journey of self-learning will be your failures.
If we go with the facts, 90% of startups fail. YES, 90%! Is this number scaring you? Well, it would definitely scare most of us.
I guess, this is why not everybody is an entrepreneur. You need to be a little extraordinary. Some of the most successful personalities in the world are also great failures. So, do not be afraid to fail. Learn to start again.
7. Be a Risk-Taker
Without risk, there would be no Apple, no Amazon or any great company. Name one successful entrepreneur who hasn’t taken any risks in life?
Elon Musk, the multimillionaire techpreneur self-funded his startup, SpaceX, when he failed to receive any funding for it. This led him to the verge of bankruptcy.
Bill Gates dropped out college to work on Microsoft. Steve Jobs did the same for building Apple. Further, he went on to create the revolutionary iPhone which was one of the greatest risks he could have taken at that time.
Warren Buffet, Henry Ford, Richard Branson, etc. are some other great names in business who are also great risk-takers.
Sorry to Interrupt! We also have something to Promote
Thanks Sanya Singh and all the other great hearts who gone through the blog ,it’s such a great happiness to read all your comments which makes me to contribute even more in much better manner to the society and future budding entrepreneurs!
Keep going and growing !
My best wishes everyone !
My heartfelt thanks to Sanya for making this wonderful blog !
This website is awesome
Well this was the best guide I have ever seen for the startup and waiting for all your future posts for more advices.
Thank you so much! Will wait for your reviews on our other posts!
This will help people achieve their dreams, thanks to this inspiring blog.
This means a lot! Keep supporting us!
Great post! I learnt a lot. For me the most important thing is to keep working consistently and keep my eyes on the prize.
All the best, Michelle (michellesclutterbox.com)
I’m glad you found it helpful.
Wow….this is amazing. Thanks for sharing . I gained so much knowledge.
Thank You!
Very nice blog, good content. Inspiring people
Thank You!
Well done ! Sanya Singh ! You have written it in a very easy to understand language. Keep up the good work.
Success is comes from experience & experience comes from bad experiences…!
Nice bro,
Your explanation is well. Just keep on moving…!
🙃🙃
Thank you so much Abul!
thank so much… this is very helpful
This is very helpful and inspiring blog.
A simple guide, great job!
Thnaks!
Thanks Tania:)
Self-learning is the key.. inspirational
Thank you!!:)
Awesome work brother. Great blog
Thanks:)
Very inspiring!
This means a lot. Keep reading!
An informative and detailed article to feed the entrepreneurial mind.
A good read for people who want to step in this world of startups.
Keep posting. Kudos to a great start.
Thank you so so much for your love and support! These words inspire us to create more good content.
Thankyou so much for this knowledge.
Deffinately entrepreneurship is not taught in school,it is self learning,not from a book but we learn from others and our sorroundings.
Thanks to you! Keep Reading:)
Wow nice write up.
I Lear a lot from this write up, be ready to make a little sacrifices.
Thanks for this wonderful write up
Thanks and Keep Reading:)