The Impactful Teammates at Smytten 

At Smytten, we operate like a close-knit family, where every team member has played a vital role in shaping the journey of our company. However, as I reflect on our early days and growth trajectory, a few exceptional individuals stand out as the pillars who have profoundly impacted Smytten's evolution.

In the very beginning, we were navigating uncharted waters with nothing but a vision and a dream. At that time, individuals like Chhavi Jain (Associate Director - Founder’s Office and Business Analytics), Varun Bhattacharya (Associate Director - Consumer Business), Mihir Shah (Associate Director - Engineering), Pratiti Shah (Lead - Brand, Partnerships, Research, and Insights), Nisarg Dave (Lead - Operations Excellence), Purav Thakore (Lead - Demand and Inventory Planning), and Radhika Panchal (Lead - Customer Engagement and Experience) trusted us when even we weren’t entirely sure of where this journey would take us. Their unwavering belief, coupled with their ability to lay the foundation for their respective domains, has been instrumental. Over the years, they’ve not only built exceptional teams but have also cultivated the vibrant, inclusive culture that defines Smytten today.

As the company grew, new leaders joined us at pivotal moments, bringing their experience and expertise to elevate Smytten further. Deepak Dalai (Vice President - Engineering), Krishan Sharma (Vice President - Retail and Operations Excellence), and Khanjan Shah (Head - Finance and Accounts) came on board mid-journey and seamlessly integrated their knowledge with our vision. Their ability to harness their experience while embracing Smytten's ethos has been transformative. They’ve not only fortified our infrastructure but have also propelled us to new heights by building on the solid foundation laid by the early team.

Each of these individuals has left an indelible mark on Smytten’s story. Together, they represent the essence of Smytten—a perfect blend of trust, tenacity, and talent. Their contributions have been instrumental in turning a fledgling startup into what we proudly call Smytten today.

A Defining Moment

At Smytten, every individual brings a unique perspective and plays a vital role in shaping our journey. While each of them has their own incredible story, together, they form the pillars of Smytten. As a founder, I feel truly fortunate to have them as part of my close-knit team.

Chhavi Jain (Associate Director - Founder’s Office and Business Analytics): From an intern to a strategic powerhouse, Chhavi has been my go-to for anything related to numbers and strategy. She has this uncanny ability to spot patterns and insights that no one else can, making her an irreplaceable part of our foundation.

Varun Bhattacharya (Associate Director - Consumer Business): Varun has led almost all our product and marketing functions—an achievement that speaks volumes about his dedication. His relentless focus on understanding customers, attention to detail, and driving growth is nothing short of inspiring.

Mihir Shah (Associate Director - Engineering): Mihir started as a contractual employee, and I’d say hiring him full-time was one of the best decisions we’ve made. He laid the tech foundation for Smytten and has since become the tech visionary driving seamless digital experiences. He’s our go-to person for business knowledge, innovative ideas, and all things AI.

Pratiti Shah (Lead - Brand, Partnerships, Research, and Insights): From an intern to leading one of the most critical teams at Smytten, Pratiti’s journey is remarkable. She’s the creative force behind building meaningful partnerships and growing our brand into something truly special.

Nisarg Dave (Lead - Operations Excellence): Nisarg is more than just a leader— He’s always the person one can go to for advice or support. With his operational expertise, he ensures that everything runs like clockwork.

Purav Thakore (Lead - Demand and Inventory Planning): Fondly known as "Mr. Cool," Purav handles challenges with ease and brings an infectious positivity to his team. His precision in planning and execution is the backbone of our operations.

Radhika Panchal (Lead - Customer Engagement and Experience): Radhika has an incredible ability to connect with customers and make them feel like part of the Smytten family. Her energy lights up the workplace, and when she’s not around, one can truly feel her absence. She’s a strong, dependable individual who adds so much to our culture.

Deepak Dalai (Vice President - Engineering): Deepak has taken our tech infrastructure to the next level. His deep understanding of the business and ability to approach challenges with a tech-first mindset is invaluable.

Krishan Sharma (Vice President - Retail and Operations Excellence): The man behind our offline presence, Krishan brought a vision and confidence to build Smytten’s retail footprint. His contributions stand out as a major milestone in our journey.

Khanjan Shah (Head - Finance and Accounts): Khanjan is the financial guardian who ensures stability and growth with meticulous planning. The trust and reliability he’s built are truly remarkable and give me peace of mind. Each of them has brought their own strengths, vision, and resilience, which have been instrumental in making Smytten the thriving organization it is today. Together, they exemplify the spirit of trust, tenacity, and teamwork that defines our journey.

Advice for Fellow Founders

Finding and empowering individuals who can make a meaningful impact starts with recognizing potential beyond just skills—look for passion, alignment with your vision, and a willingness to grow with the company. From my experience, one of the most critical steps is identifying individuals who resonate with the purpose of your startup.

For example, when I first met some of Smytten’s key team members, it wasn’t just their resumes or technical skills that stood out—it was their hunger to take ownership, their curiosity, and their drive to solve challenges creatively. For founders, I’d say the key qualities to prioritize when hiring or nurturing talent are adaptability, resilience, and a sense of ownership. These traits often outweigh technical expertise because skills can be taught, but the right mindset is innate.

Lastly, give them a clear path for growth. The biggest impact comes when individuals feel their personal development is tied to the success of the organization. Offer mentorship, guidance, and opportunities to lead. When people see the impact of their work and feel empowered to take charge, they don’t just follow—they build alongside you.

 
The Impactful Teammate at IBGRiD

Mayank Patel first met us at our booth during EDI's annual fest when IndiaBizForSale.com was still just a discovery platform.

What stood out about him was his deep understanding of our vision. He appreciated the economic value we were trying to preserve by connecting buyers and sellers of businesses—helping businesses continue their legacy rather than shutting down.

At the time, Mayank was a professor of corporate finance, and he generously offered his support in any way we might need.

A Defining Moment

Initially, we avoided providing business valuation reports as a service, fearing that we couldn't maintain the quality we aimed for.

When Mayank offered to help, we decided to test his expertise on valuing our own family business. The result was incredible—not only was the valuation spot on, but it also helped us successfully sell the business at that price. Inspired by this success, we gradually started offering business valuation reports to our audience, led by Mayank.

Over time, this service became a game-changer. It significantly reduced deal failures caused by unrealistic asking prices, generated substantial revenue, and laid the foundation for our investment banking division, IBGRID.

Advice for Fellow Founders

Say "yes" to opportunities and be open to external support. Often, the right person may come with fresh ideas that challenge your initial assumptions.

Look for individuals who align with your mission and are willing to contribute beyond their immediate role. Empower them by creating an environment where they can innovate and grow.

For us, Mayank’s support not only launched a new service but also set a benchmark for quality. Today, we're fortunate to have him as part of our management team, where he leads IBGRID with the same passion that first drew us to him.

 
The Impactful Teammate at 7Span
 
One person who’s made a huge impact on 7Span’s journey is Bhavik Vachhani, our Partner. He is an Alumni of IIMU and Ex-EY Parthenon. From day one, their passion, out-of-the-box thinking, and ability to tackle challenges head-on really stood out.

Back when 7Span was growing from a small agency to a more recognized player in the industry, Bhavik stepped up in a way I’ll always remember. He wasn’t just about doing the job—he cared deeply about 7Span’s vision, treating the company as if it were his own. Whether it was solving client challenges, building internal processes, or mentoring team members, their contributions were always top-notch and game-changing.

A Defining Moment

There’s this one moment I’ll never forget. We were working to streamline different processes, including L&D, Appraisal, and Recruitment, which is super important for 7Span’s growth.

Instead of stressing out, Bhavik took charge. He pulled the different team together, crafted a detailed process, and then presented it to us with total confidence and clarity. The way he handled the whole process—especially answering those tricky questions during the meeting—left us all super impressed. Not only did we implement the processes, but it also set a new standard for how we come up with transparency in our process and what we can achieve as a team.

That win wasn’t just about revenue; it boosted morale across the board and helped us land even bigger milestones down the line.

Advice for Fellow Founders

Finding someone like Bhavik isn’t easy, but here’s what I’ve learned:

 1. Hire for passion and ownership. Look for people who genuinely care about the mission, not just their job description. These are the ones who’ll go above and beyond.

 2. Give them space to lead. When you trust someone with responsibility, they’re more likely to take ownership and show you what they’re capable of.

 3. Watch for potential, not just results. Often, the ones making quiet but meaningful contributions are the ones ready to step up when given the chance.

 4. Invest in their growth. Help them learn, grow, and take on challenges. When people see they’re valued, they give their best.

 5. Celebrate the wins. Recognize their efforts publicly and privately—it’s a small thing, but it goes a long way.

When you create an environment like this, you’ll not only find amazing people but also empower them to do their best work and help your company thrive.

 
The Impactful Teammate at Hearty Mart 

We have been in business for nearly 21 years now. It all began with the opening of our first store in Juhapura. None of us had any prior experience in retail or the FMCG industry, yet I had unwavering faith in Sabir Bhai, our first employee at Hearty Mart. His integrity and dedication stood out to us from the very beginning. Sabir Bhai has been with us since day one and, through his relentless hard work, commitment, and loyalty, he has risen to become the Managing Partner of the Juhapura store. Under his leadership, the store has grown into a thriving, profit-making outlet, embodying the success of our journey together.

A Defining Moment

After nearly four years of relentless effort and trying every trick in the book, the Juhapura store still hadn’t turned into a profit-making outlet in 2008. This was a major blow to Sabir Bhai and his team, who had worked tirelessly to achieve success. Despite their dedication, the outcome left them feeling demoralized.

After a thoughtful discussion with Sabir Bhai and his team, we decided to refurbish the store with brighter colors, hoping to lift the gloom that had crept into the team’s mindset and infuse them with renewed positive energy. The strategy worked, and the team regained their enthusiasm and drive.

What stood out to me most during this challenging period was Sabir Bhai’s remarkable composure and leadership. He played a pivotal role in motivating his team, even in the face of adversity. Thanks to his efforts, by the end of the 2009 financial year, the store finally turned a profit, and we achieved our goals.

Advice for Fellow Founders

Finding the right employee for a business is as crucial as finding the right venture capitalist or investor. My approach to hiring is straightforward: I prioritize virtues like integrity, honesty, and commitment over other skills. These moral qualities are deeply ingrained and cannot be taught, unlike technical skills or communication abilities, which can be developed with time and effort.

An honest and committed employee possesses the foundational qualities needed to lead a team effectively. With the right support and empowerment, such individuals can grow into invaluable assets for any entrepreneur.