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.
The eChai Effect - In Their Words
“You don’t plan to build a company via eChai. You just keep showing up … and one day, you realize you did.” I’ve known Jatin since 2012, when I was still deciding what kind of second innings I wanted to play as an entrepreneur. Over the years, through events, chai breaks, intros, and seemingly small conversations, eChai helped shape not just Upsquare but also refined the lens through which we see collaboration. At Upsquare, we’ve hired talent, met partners, discovered co-investors, and built lifelong friendships. One of our joint ventures exists today only because a casual eChai memory sparked a deeper trust. Now, as we build House of Starts — our venture builder — eChai continues to fuel our mission: co-creating a shared future. eChai isn’t just a startup network. It’s a trust network. And for business builders like me, that makes all the difference."
Utpal Vaishnav
Founder @ Upsquare & House of Starts • Angel Investor + LP
“I have no hesitation in saying that my association with eChai has been a gateway into the startup ecosystem. Through this platform, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with many young and dynamic entrepreneurs. These interactions have been immensely enriching - I’ve learned a great deal and have always tried to offer guidance whenever approached. It’s a truly symbiotic relationship that I deeply value, and it wouldn’t have been possible without eChai.”
Syed Nadeem Jafri
Founder, Hearty Mart
"eChai isn’t just a startup community … it’s a mindset . eChai has been one of the most impactful communities in my entrepreneurial journey. It’s been a turning point . In a world where building something can often feel isolating, eChai gave me a sense of belonging. I’ve found mentors, collaborators, and friends here — people who genuinely want to see you succeed. It’s a space where ideas are challenged, actions are celebrated, and founders grow not just in scale, but in clarity and confidence. From late-night ideas to early-morning pitches, this community has quietly but powerfully shaped the way I build, think, and dream. I’ll always be grateful for the way eChai creates spaces where founders don’t just grow businesses — they grow together."
Koumal Kalantry
Founder, Bignano Ventures
eChai Partner Brands
eChai Ventures partners with select brands as their growth partner - working together to explore new ideas, open doors, and build momentum across the startup ecosystem.
