Anupam Mittal, known as the Shaadi.com founder and Shark Tank India judge, urges youth to first develop a “Dhandha” (business) mindset by selling early and learning real-world economics. He emphasizes practical sales experience over classroom theory and recommends a meaningful stint in finance to truly decode how successful industries make money.
Key Highlights of Mittal’s 'Dhandha' Playbook
Anupam Mittal advocates that real business instincts start with selling—anything, from books to donations or even oneself in job interviews—building critical skills like persuasion, negotiation, and influence early in life.
Reflecting on his own journey, Mittal shares how his youthful business attempts—including renting books at 13 and launching a sports club at 16—failed often but taught him the practical skills necessary for survival and resilience in entrepreneurship.
Mittal’s mantra: “Sell first, then learn how industries make real money.” He insists that hands-on selling is essential for understanding market reality, consumer psychology, and building a strong "Dhandha" mindset that no classroom can teach.
Beyond sales, Mittal urges young entrepreneurs to spend a year or two in finance, particularly equity analysis or investment banking, to zoom out and understand where margins, capital flows, and profit really sit in different industries.
According to Mittal, finance strips away the “romance of disruption” and instils business discipline, revealing the economic truths behind successful businesses and helping founders avoid common operator mistakes.
He sums up: If you want to be a killer business person, start in the trenches by selling, then dive into financial analysis. “Dhandha isn’t taught in classrooms—it is learned through street-smart experience and the discipline of numbers,” Mittal affirms.
Sources: Times of India, Startup Pedia, Economic Times, Business Today