From Soulmates to Stakeholders: Billionaire Jay Chaudhry's Advice to Founders in Love

Zscaler founder and Indian-American billionaire Jay Chaudhry, 66, has a straightforward but compelling message for young entrepreneurs: "Get your spouse involved as a partner." Speaking at an entrepreneurship summit last week, Chaudhry attributed much of the success in his own career to the active encouragement and active participation of his wife, Jyoti.

 

Key Points:

 

•⁠  ⁠Chaudhry, who grew up in a Himachal Pradesh village and created a multi-billion-dollar tech empire, set out the requirement for trust, mutual vision, and emotional toughness in entrepreneurship.

 

•⁠  ⁠He revealed that his wife Jyoti has been his "co-founder in life," having been with him through the risks and sacrifices of creating a startup from zero.

 

•⁠  ⁠The billionaire observed that venture life is traditionally marked by financial risks, long working hours, and emotional rollercoasters—problems that are more easily surmounted with the help of a supportive spouse.

 

•⁠  ⁠Chaudhry called on young entrepreneurs to make their spouse an actual business partner, to share the vision and the responsibility, which can avoid burnout and unite families.

 

Prospects: With work-life balance fast becoming an issue in the startup ecosystem, Chaudhry's words are a relief: entrepreneurship is not a one-man show. Having your spouse with you as a co-founder can be life-changing, bringing stability and encouragement with you as you pursue your dreams.

 

Source: CNBC-TV18, YourStory, Economic Times