I started up in college. 5 years on, here’s what I’ve learnt.

I was asked by a few of my friends and well wishers to write about hitting the 5-year mark at my startup, GyanLab.

I don’t really know where to start. All I know is that this has been a superb experience for me — all the highs, the lows, the moments I felt like I was making a difference in the lives of others, and those when I realized I am learning so much from those around me.

I am damn sure starting up as a college kid was the best thing I ever did. It has taught me a lot of really valuable things I know today. These are some of the most important lessons I’ve learnt in my journey as an entrepreneur.

Photo credit: Bethany Legg

1. The art of humility

I have been mentored by some of the most amazing people I have ever seen or known.

Shekar Sir and Luis have been father figures to me throughout my entrepreneurial journey. They are huge names, and have done some amazing things — started up PE in India, advised some of the largest companies, and are successful entrepreneurs themselves.

And here they were, offering us advice whenever we needed their help. The biggest lessons I’ve learnt from them is to be humble, be true to myself and enjoy what I do.

2. Learning from mistakes

Every mistake I’ve made over the last 5 years has been a learning experience. And I have made a truckload of them.

I am not sad that I made too many mistakes, I am content that I am learning from each one of them and becoming better at my job everyday.

We have pivoted a couple of times, rolled out new products and subsequently removed them, hired the wrong people, spent money where it could have been saved, and didn’t speak up when there was a need to. But every mistake helped shape me into who I am today.

3. Focus on the impact, not the investments

We have not raised large amounts of funding. We are as old as Ola, older than most high-flying services and hyperlocal startups, but we are not in the business of raising money.

One big lesson I have learnt over time is that we are in the impact business, and as long as we keep working toward a solid profitable path, we will survive.

Whatever money we need to keep going at it, we have received from people who believe in us, and that alone is a huge validation for me. I will always be keeping my head down and working — because creating an impact is what will keep me motivated.

4. Hard work without motivation is a dead end

I started GyanLab due to a personal problem I had with the education system.

5. Pay it forward