Celebrating World Entrepreneurs Day with Entrepreneur-Mantras
Entrepreneurship in India is no longer confined to a particular generation, city or business school. From technology startups and family businesses to independent ventures and purpose-led enterprises, more Indians are choosing to build rather than simply seek employment.
Yet entrepreneurship is not simply about having an idea or taking a leap. The real test begins after the leap; when uncertainty becomes routine, risks become personal and persistence matters more than excitement.
On World Entrepreneurs’ Day, WWeaV asked entrepreneurs from different fields 3 simple questions:
- What keeps you going when the risks seem high?
- What is one principle you never compromise on as an entrepreneur?
- What is your mantra for entrepreneurship, and what would you tell someone starting out?
And.. the responses from these entrepreneurs are like a crash course in entrepreneurship. Perhaps, more valuable than that, as these learnings come from lived experiences, and the joy of having ‘been there, and done that’. So, here we go!!
Beauty, Apparel, Accessories
Dhawal Haria, Managing Director, ESLA ITALY – India
What keeps you going when the risks seem high?
The numbers, honestly. I spend as much time reverse-engineering market data as I do building relationships and when you can see where a category is heading, risk feels calculated rather than blind. What keeps me going is knowing every difficult conversation, every rejection, every slow month is still building something: a relationship, a data point, a lesson. I stay in touch even with partners who’ve said no; today’s “no” is often tomorrow’s “yes.” What actually carries me through is momentum; mine and my team’s. Positivity around you is a strategic asset, not just a ‘nice-to-have’. So the honest answer is: I’m not fearless, I’m just rarely surprised, and I’m never doing it alone. Momentum is contagious.
What is one principle you never compromise on as an entrepreneur?
Trust. Everything client-facing the pitch, the numbers, the follow-through has to earn it, and trust is built slowly through consistency, not a single big win. That means genuinely listening to criticism instead of defending against it; some of my sharpest course-corrections came from a partner or client telling me something I didn’t want to hear. I’d rather take longer to get a relationship right than move fast and burn it. Long-term partnerships outlast any single deal, and they’re worth protecting.
What is your mantra for entrepreneurship, and what would you tell someone starting out?
“Know your market better than anyone else in the room.” Everyone starting out obsesses over the product or pitch. The real edge is understanding your category’s numbers, your competitors’ moves, your customer’s actual behaviour. To someone starting out: do the unglamorous research nobody wants to do, network relentlessly, and stay in touch with people who turned you down. Take criticism as data, not defeat. It won’t feel like progress at first, it’s why you’re still standing when the market shifts.
Harsh Maskara, CEO & Co-founder CHK
What keeps you going when the risks seem high?
What keeps me going is the belief that building something meaningful will always come with uncertainty. I remind myself that the bigger risk is not taking the chance at all. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn, adapt and come back stronger. As long as I believe in what we’re building and the problem we’re solving, I’m willing to take the risk.
What is one principle you never compromise on as an entrepreneur?
Staying true to the product and the customer. Trends will change, markets will evolve and there will always be pressure to take shortcuts, but I believe in building something that genuinely delivers value. If the product is right and the customer trusts you, everything else can be built around that.
What is your mantra for entrepreneurship, and what would you tell someone starting out?
Start before you feel ready, stay curious, and keep moving. Entrepreneurship is rarely a straight line, and you’ll probably have more questions than answers in the beginning. My advice would be to focus on solving a real problem, listen closely to your customers and don’t be afraid to evolve along the way. You don’t need to have it all figured out, you just need the conviction to take the next step.
Kanikka Dewanii, Founder, Mintree
What keeps you going when the risks seem high?
I think it’s the belief in what we’re building and the larger vision behind it. Entrepreneurship comes with uncertainty, and there have definitely been moments when the risks have felt bigger than the opportunity in front of us. But I’ve always believed that if you are solving a real problem, creating something with genuine value and are willing to put in the work, you have to keep going. For me, the biggest motivation is knowing that you can build something meaningful from India and take Indian beauty to a much larger global stage. The challenges are part of the journey, you learn, adapt, and keep moving.
What is one principle you never compromise on as an entrepreneur?
Never compromise on the value you are creating for your customer. Whether it is the quality of a formulation, the efficacy of a product or the experience we offer, I believe everything has to come back to whether it genuinely delivers value. There are times when taking a shortcut may seem commercially attractive, but I believe your customers eventually recognize the difference. Trust takes years to build, and as a founder, protecting that trust is non-negotiable.
What is your mantra for entrepreneurship, and what would you tell someone starting out?
My mantra would be, put a big ambition on the table, and then be prepared to do the work that comes with it. I genuinely believe you have to think big, but ambition without execution doesn’t take you very far. When you start out, there will be rejection, mistakes, self-doubt and days when things simply don’t work. Don’t let those moments define your journey. Learn from them, stay close to your customer, keep improving your product and, most importantly, trust your instinct. You don’t have to have everything figured out on day one. You just have to be willing to keep showing up and keep learning.
Nitika Garg, Founder, Sonrisa
What keeps you going when the risks seem high?
For me, risk is part of the entrepreneurial DNA. What keeps me going is clarity of purpose knowing that every challenge is an opportunity to innovate. My background in science reminds me that progress often comes from experimentation and that resilience and trust in the process make the journey worthwhile.
What is one principle you never compromise on as an entrepreneur?
Integrity is non‑negotiable. Whether it’s in product formulation, partnerships, or customer relationships, I believe trust is the foundation of any lasting enterprise. Compromising on integrity may bring short‑term gains, but it erodes the very credibility that sustains a brand.
What is your mantra for entrepreneurship, and what would you tell someone starting out?
My mantra is perseverance with purpose. Entrepreneurship is not about chasing speed, it’s about consistency, authenticity, and clarity of vision. To anyone starting out, I’d say: stay true to your values, be patient with the process, and let your conviction guide you through uncertainty.
Nisha Lulla CMO & Co-founder, Superkicks
What keeps you going when the risks seem high?
For me, it’s the belief in what we are building and the people we are building it with. I have always been someone who enjoys creating, experimenting and bringing people together, so even when something feels risky, I try to focus on the opportunity rather than the uncertainty. There will always be moments where you question a decision, but seeing how the community responds to something we’ve created at Superkicks gives me the motivation to keep going.
What is one principle you never compromise on as an entrepreneur?
I think it’s important to stay true to your own point of view. There is always going to be something new happening or someone else doing something well, but you cannot build a meaningful brand by constantly trying to be someone else. For me, creativity and authenticity have always been important. Whether it’s a launch, an event or simply the way we engage with our community, I want it to feel genuine to who we are.
What is your mantra for entrepreneurship, and what would you tell someone starting out?
My mantra would be to stay curious and keep creating. You don’t always need to have the entire journey figured out before you start. My own journey has taken me through different experiences, from starting Feet 2 Beat at 19 to eventually building Superkicks, and each experience taught me something that I carry with me today. I’d tell anyone starting out to be open to learning, surround yourself with good people, and most importantly, don’t be afraid to put your own point of view out there. Sometimes the things that feel different are what end up creating the strongest connection with people.
Palak Sehgal, Founder & CEO, Kasaya
What keeps you going when the risks seem high?
I think what keeps me going is knowing why I started in the first place. Kasaya came from a very real need I experienced myself, and from seeing a gap in skincare that I felt could be approached differently. When you are building something from scratch, there are obviously moments of uncertainty, but I try to come back to the problem we are solving rather than the risk in front of me. That keeps things grounded. I also remind myself that building something meaningful rarely comes with complete certainty — sometimes you have to take the next step before you can see the entire path.
What is one principle you never compromise on as an entrepreneur?
For me, it is integrity in what we put out into the world. I come from a scientific background, so I have always been very particular about understanding why something works, not just whether it sounds good on paper. At Kasaya, that means being thoughtful about our ingredients, formulations and the claims we make. I would much rather take longer to get something right than rush something out because it is commercially convenient. I believe trust is built slowly, and once you have it, it is something you have a responsibility to protect.
What is your mantra for entrepreneurship, and what would you tell someone starting out?
My mantra would be: stay curious, stay close to the problem, and don’t be afraid to change your approach. Entrepreneurship is rarely a straight line. There will be things you get wrong, plans that don’t work and moments when you question yourself. That is all part of the process.
If you are starting out, I would say don’t wait until you have everything figured out. Start with a problem you genuinely care about, be willing to learn as you go, and surround yourself with people who challenge your thinking. You don’t need to have all the answers on day one. You just need enough conviction to take the first step and enough humility to keep learning along the way.
Puneet Wadhwani, Founder, Dimple Wadhwani Co-Founder, Kansa Organics
What keeps you going when the risks seem high?
The moment someone shares how an Ayurvedic product transformed their health, that’s what keeps me going. When I started Kansa Organics, I knew the biggest risk wasn’t capital or competition; it was skepticism. The Western market didn’t understand Ayurveda. People weren’t familiar with these practices their parents or grandparents knew by heart.
Every time I get a message from a customer saying “I finally understand what holistic wellness heals internally” or “this actually works” that validates the risk. The risks feel small compared to the mission of reviving ancient wisdom for a modern world. I’m not just building a business; I’m building a bridge between cultures and generations.
What is one principle you never compromise on as an entrepreneur?
Product integrity & Authenticity.
In Ayurveda, authenticity isn’t optional, it’s foundational. If I compromise on the quality or authenticity of ingredients, I’m not just selling a product; I’m betraying the tradition itself and my customers’ trust. I could cut corners, source alternative ingredients, and double profits overnight. But that would make Kansa Organics just another wellness brand, not a guardian of authentic Ayurvedic heritage.
Every batch, every ingredient, every claim. It has to be real. That’s the only way to build something that lasts.
What is your mantra for entrepreneurship, and what would you tell someone starting out?
Educate, don’t just sell!
When you’re introducing something the world doesn’t yet understand, whether it’s Ayurveda or any other mission-driven product—your job isn’t to convince people to buy. Your job is to educate them so they want to understand.
To someone starting out, I’d say: Don’t chase quick wins. Choose a mission you’re genuinely passionate about, rooted in something deeper than profit. For me, it’s my family’s heritage and the belief that Ayurveda can transform lives globally. That passion is what sustains you through the long nights, the skepticism, the slow market adoption.
Also, remember that you’re not just solving a problem; you’re often creating awareness that a problem even exists. That takes patience, storytelling, and an unwavering commitment to your “why.” That’s your real competitive advantage.
Simrita S Dillon, Founder & CEO, SANDA Brands Agency
What keeps you going when the risks seem high?
High risks is Ok, as long as one makes fast decisions. Pivoting is the name of the game. Be Courageous and don’t be afraid of failure.
What is one principle you never compromise on as an entrepreneur?
Working with the right people you can trust. The people you bring on the journey are very important. Get people you can trust. You can teach them the skillset.
What is your mantra for entrepreneurship, and what would you tell someone starting out?
It takes 10 years to become an overnight success. Work on your idea every day. Be relentless, never give up and success is inevitable. Bring your A game.
Tapur Gupta, Founder, Root Labs
What keeps you going when the risks seem high?
What keeps me going is the belief that hormone-safe skincare needs to become easier to access and understand. We’re still early, but every conversation with someone who has hesitated to use skincare during pregnancy, sensitive periods or hormonal changes reminds me why we started. The opportunity to build that change keeps me going.
What is one principle you never compromise on as an entrepreneur?
One principle I never compromise on is listening to the consumer. We can have a strong vision, but if customers are telling us something isn’t working, I believe we have to listen, learn and be willing to change.
What is your mantra for entrepreneurship, and what would you tell someone starting out?
My mantra is: start before you feel ready, and stay curious enough to keep learning. You don’t need to have everything figured out when you begin. You just need conviction in the problem you’re solving, the humility to listen, and the resilience to keep figuring things out as you go.
Culinary
Bilkis Khan, Founder Golpoh
What keeps you going when the risks seem high?
I believe risks are a part of every journey. You have to be brave and resilient and fight your fears; at the same time, you also have to be wise enough to understand the situation and take the right risks. Fear shouldn’t stop you from moving forward.
What is one principle you never compromise on as an entrepreneur?
For me, it is honesty and the quality of my work. Whatever I do, I do it with my whole heart, and I never compromise on quality. The same principle extends to my team. With Gòlpoh, I aim to serve honest food made with the finest ingredients food that nourishes not just the stomach, but the body and soul.
What is your mantra for entrepreneurship, and what would you tell someone starting?
Do your homework before you begin, be patient, be wise, and keep going. Success is never overnight. It takes continuous effort, resilience and hard work. All good things take time and if you stay honest and committed, the magic eventually happens.
