Belief in your purpose turns struggle into strength

Belief in your purpose turns struggle into strength
At eChai Ventures, our Unforgettable Lessons series brings forward the defining truths founders learn on their journeys. These are not just stories of success, but of survival, resilience, and the inner conviction that keeps entrepreneurs moving through uncertainty.

For Priyanka Sachdeva, Founder of Core & Pure – Essential Oils, the most powerful lesson has been about passion, purpose, and the responsibility to keep going even when no one else can step in.

Here’s how she tells it:

From the outside, entrepreneurship often looks like a straight path to success, freedom, innovation, and growth. In reality, it is a relentless journey filled with volatility, setbacks, and constant recalibration. The lesson I’ve learned is simple yet profound: unless you are building something you truly believe in and are deeply passionate about, you won’t have the resilience to navigate the inevitable ups and downs.

I’ve seen days in business where survival itself was in question, when money was scarce, both personally and professionally. In those moments, one truth became crystal clear: no one else will step in to rescue you. You are the one who has to find the ways and means to move forward.

As the first Shiva Sutra says, “Only you are your own.” That wisdom holds 100% true in entrepreneurship. Only you can make it possible, no one else.

Passion isn’t just a motivator, it’s the fuel that sustains you when strategy fails, when the market resists, and when challenges seem endless. Belief in your purpose is what transforms obstacles into stepping stones. Without it, business becomes a burden; with it, the struggle itself becomes meaningful.
Startup Stream

The eChai Effect - In Their Words

“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
Syed Nadeem Jafri
Founder, Hearty Mart
"From late-night brainstorming over chai to early morning founder calls, eChai has been more than just a network for me; it’s been home base for ideas, impact, and inspiration. What started as a simple meetup years ago turned into a powerful movement, connecting founders, creators, and dreamers. I’ve had the privilege of seeing startups find product-market fit, marketers (like me) find unexpected collaborations, and most importantly, people finding their tribe. संगच्छध्वं संवदध्वं – Let us move together, speak together. It’s not just a verse from the Rigveda — it’s how Jatin and the entire eChai community truly operate. We don’t just network, we grow together. Forever grateful to be a part of the eChai Effect.
Jaydip Parikh - Chief Everything Officer at Tej SolPro
Jaydip Parikh
Chief Everything Officer at Tej SolPro
“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
Utpal Vaishnav
Founder @ Upsquare & House of Starts • Angel Investor + LP

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