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.