The 10 incredible lessons that 10 Rodinhood Entrepreneurs taught me!

Milan taught me the power of belief.

He was unfazed when I rudely told him that no ticket trader had ever made money. Someone in the audience stood up and said, “If lacs of investors follow your tip, then there will be a run on the stock…”

Milan just said, “Yes, that’s how revolutions start.”

Just that moment, I fell for him and not for his business…

 

2. startup kindness – Deven Shah

Deven blew my mind away.

We met a few minutes alone before the Open House began and all he told me is, “Alok, when you give with a complete un-expectation, then you find nirvana.”

Via his ppt, Deven taught me the value of Goodness.

He is just 35 and is helping people, making ‘kindness apps’ and standing on stage, fighting the naysayers – not for himself, but for others.

 

3. Hostel Finder- Vishal Gupta

Vishal taught me the lesson of conviction.

Just the lucid, simple and convincing way in which he explained why his business Hostel Finder will succeed impressed everyone!

He is convinced of success.

And trust me, when someone has so much conviction, the universe makes sure things happen to make that conviction come true.

4. Shaadimagic.com – Manish Grover

Manish taught me the lesson that “someone’s got to do it, so why not me?”

I mean we all know that arranging weddings is a mega messy job.

Who the hell wants to get into the nitty gritty, the stress and the pain?

But Manish and his Company – shaadimagic ‘want’ to take the pain and earn the headache!

He was clear about the challenges that lay ahead and was smiling when he explained them!!

5. 21Fools – Divyanshu Asopa & Surendra Chaplot

What can I say about the genuineness, the purity and innocence of the 21fools team?

They taught me that the best ideas come being naive.

While the business of greeting cards have died down and become a thing of the past, that does not mean that the emotion behind them has disappeared!

I called them ‘The Grave Diggers’ – folks who bring back dead things and celebrate them!

This team has something going for them.

6. Tushky – Talvinder Singh

Talvinder got my attention the minute he said, “Would you like a lesson in Fencing?”

Yes! I would!!

While we argued about why he needed 18 crores, Talvinder taught me an important lesson – that there are many latent consumer desires out there, whose easy fulfillment can become a business.

I had never thought of taking a Fencing lesson before. Talvinder Singh made me think about it!

He INSERTED the idea in my head!

7. Moneyleo – Vijay Khubchandani

Vijay is a TANK. 

He just rolls.

He’s got the need figured out. He has the pain pinned down.

And he has a solution.

Vijay taught me a good lesson that the world needs people like him as ‘disrupters’.

In his own business, Vijay will try and disrupt the financial leads business by switching from incentives fees to success fees!

 

8. Mayrahkee- Perzen Darukhanawalla

Perzen was the sweetheart of the evening!!

The only woman entrepreneur to present, she was so amazingly poised, confident and assured.

Perzen is proof that the best of Indian talent will come back from foreign shores. (She has lived 10 years in New Zealand) and has returned to become an entrepreneur and make this country proud!

Perzen taught me that innocence ROCKS!

She was upfront in stating that this was her first venture and she was here to seek guidance and mentorship as much as funding for her business.

Perzen is ‘the’ new entrepreneur India needs. Open eyed, innocent, yet confident, clear and most importantly – humble.

9. Pick‘n’Host – Vasu

Vasu shocked me.

To be honest, I did not expect him to make such a stunning presentation.

Vasu taught me a beautiful lesson – to be ready to be surprised!

Can you imagine how amazing it was, when Vasu in the midst of his presentation mentioned, “proof of concept is customers” and then pointed to the back of the hall where he had secretly seated 3 of his real clients??

All three clients stood up and he won the hearts of the house!

Cutting to the BS – VASU ALSO TAUGHT ME HOW TO SELL.

10. intouchid – Sarang Lakare

As they say, sometimes the last is not the least.

Sarang was probably the most educated person in the room (with a PhD) etc.

He was so clear about what HIS BUSINESS IS NOT!

That was so amazing!

He knew his positioning, he estimated his weakness and exposed his needs.

Sarang taught me that despite having it all and being able to live comfortable lifestyles, people will still become entrepreneurs – and go through grueling pain, just for the glory of it.

*****

If you want to be featured here next time, then get set for the August Rodinhoods Open House!