Surabhi Shenoy, an engineer by profession, shares her journey from being an engineer to starting her own tech company with her husband. They initially worked for various startups in the US and India, writing code and developing software. Over time, they gained experience in building products, managing investors, and marketing. Their company eventually started servicing clients and working with big companies like Intuit. After years of experience, they decided to start their own company, aiming to create bigger career paths and fulfill everyone's dreams.

Leadership, Mental Safety, and Simplicity

We discuss the concept of leadership and its impact on businesses. Surabhi expresses her belief that leadership has become overly complex and that people have become weaker due to the focus on leadership and mental safety. She argued that individuals should be self-sufficient and not rely on leadership for their success. We also discuss the importance of simplicity in management, suggesting that leaders should trust their team members and let them work independently.

Entrepreneurial Journeys and Leadership Lessons

Surabhi shares her journey from working in Tech Companies to running a health and wellness center, highlighting the challenges and lessons learned. She emphasized the importance of trusting her instincts and making decisions based on her knowledge of the business. Graham acknowledged the value of leadership and the balance between strategy and culture. Surabhi concluded by expressing the confidence and growth she experienced through these experiences.

Balancing Business and Personal Life

Surabhi shares her experiences of running two companies simultaneously and the lessons she learned from them. She highlights the importance of understanding one's role in a business, particularly as a founder, and the need for skill development to manage growth effectively. Surabhi also emphasizes the importance of conscious effort and skill building to avoid burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Skill Sets and Mindset in Business

We explore the importance of skill sets and mindset in business leadership and that different skill sets are required at different stages of business growth, from a small entrepreneurial team to a larger business. Surabhi shares her personal journey, starting her first company in 2002 and exiting her health and wellness business in 2012. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the value creation process and being clear about the business's purpose, whether it's a lifestyle business or one intended for growth and eventual sale. They also discussed the importance of maintaining a certain size and quality of work to avoid losing touch with clients and employees.

Emotional Intelligence in Effective Leadership

Surabhi emphasizes the need for emotional intelligence to understand and manage emotions, as well as the ability to communicate effectively with others. She also highlights the importance of having the right intention when giving feedback.

Surabhi's Journey and Business Challenges

Surabhi shares her personal and professional journey, highlighting her experiences in building and growing various businesses with her husband. She discusses the challenges they faced, including the loss of her husband in an accident, and how she continued to lead the company. Surabhi emphasizes the importance of resilience, trust, and loyalty in overcoming these challenges. She also mentions the support she received from her team and clients during difficult times. The conversation concluded with Surabhi discussing her decision to exit the business after her husband's passing, opting for a 100% buyout for the best interest of everyone involved.

Building Resilient High-Value Businesses

Surabhi shares the importance of building a high-value business, emphasizing resilience and value creation for all stakeholders. Surabhi highlights the connection between a resilient leader and a resilient business, and the need for emotional intelligence, humility, hard work, and people skills in leadership.

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Surabhi's website is here >> Surabhi Shenoy

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From Engineer to Serial Entrepreneur to CEO Coach