This episode of The Art of Entrepreneurship is for founders who feel the weight of responsibility, not just for growth, but for the people whose livelihoods depend on their decisions. When things get hard, leadership isn’t about optics or ego—it’s about who you’re willing to become.

My guest is Dilip Rao, founder and CEO of Sharebite, who shares what it really means to lead through crisis. We talk about the moment COVID brought Sharebite’s revenue to zero, why Dilip quietly took his salary to zero and moved into his in-laws’ basement, and how that season reshaped his view of leadership.

Dilip explains his inverted leadership model, why leaders work for their teams, not the other way around, and how responsibility, not ideas, becomes the defining factor as a company grows. We also explore the parallel journey every founder is on: building a business while confronting fear, ego, endurance, and self-identity.

Tune in if you’re ready to lead with responsibility, clarity, and purpose—even when the answers aren’t obvious.

About Dilip Rao

Dilip Rao is the Founder and CEO of Sharebite, the leading enterprise meal-benefits platform built exclusively for companies. Under his leadership, Sharebite has become one of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S., earning recognition from Inc. Magazine, Deloitte, and Fast Company. Backed by Prosus, Sharebite partners with top employers to ensure every worker has access to meals while advancing its mission to help solve hunger.

Website: https://sharebite.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dilipnrao/

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sharebite/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharebite/

If you like this episode, here are some others you'll enjoy.

Episode 134. When nothing goes as planned — Staying steady when plans blow up: https://www.jackiehermes.com/podcast/when-nothing-goes-as-planned
Episode 141. Founder’s syndrome w/ Erica Rankin — The leadership traps founders have to outgrow: https://www.jackiehermes.com/podcast/founders-syndrome-with-erica-rankin
Episode 55. “That’s impossible” or “I can’t” — Reframing the mindset that limits your next level: https://www.jackiehermes.com/podcast/thats-impossible-or-i-cant

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If you're ready to level up your B2B marketing, check us out.

→ accelitymarketing.com

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