My Golden Nuggets from Ankur Warikoo’s "Multi-Million Dollar Moves"

I recently attended Ankur Warikoo's exclusive session, "Multi-Million Dollar Moves," tailored specifically for startups and entrepreneurs looking to scale their ventures. While the event was packed with invaluable advice, here are some of my key personal takeaways that I managed to gather. Some points might be missing, so please excuse any gaps:

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?1. Be Slow to Start, but Strategic ???

In the startup world, there’s immense pressure to move fast. However, Ankur emphasized that taking time to understand your market and crafting the right product can set the foundation for long-term success. A well-researched start can lead to a strong ripple effect in the future.

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?2. Perfect Your Product ???

Your product should not only solve a significant problem but also be scalable. Building a solid foundation is crucial because “?? ????? ?? ???? ??? ???? ???? ??” (good things take time). Focus on creating a product that not only meets today’s needs but can adapt and grow with market demands.

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?3. Patience is Key ??♂??

Startups are marathons, not sprints. Success doesn’t happen overnight. While researching your market, understand its potential size and scalability. Be patient, plan meticulously, and be prepared for a slow and steady launch.

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?4. The Best Money is Customer Money ???

Customer revenue is the most sustainable investment. Reinvest profits from your customers back into your business to create more value. Avoid getting distracted by shiny objects that don’t align with your core business.

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?5. Avoid the Temptation of Shiny Objects ???

Focus on what truly matters to your customers. Don’t be swayed by the latest trends or tools that don’t contribute to your business growth. Ankur emphasized the importance of being laser-focused on delivering consistent value to your customers.

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?6. Small Tweaks Can Make a Big Impact ???

You don’t need a groundbreaking idea to succeed. Sometimes, a simple tweak can make all the difference. Ankur shared a story about a delivery service that reduced wait times from 30 minutes to just 10, significantly boosting its market appeal. Small changes can have a huge impact on your startup.

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?7. Master the Art of Delegation ???

As your startup grows, learning to delegate becomes essential. Build a strong team and trust them with responsibilities. Delegating effectively allows you to focus on strategy, growth, and scaling your business.

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?8. Plan for Scalability from Day One ???

It’s essential to lay the groundwork for scalability right from the start. Ankur emphasized that while launching a startup, you need to think beyond the initial success. Analyze the market potential and plan for how your business can expand in the future. This means investing in a strong foundation, even if growth seems slow initially. It’s about setting up systems, processes, and a team that can handle scaling when the time comes. Remember, a scalable business is not just a successful one—it’s one that can grow sustainably.

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?9. Build a Strong Foundation, Not Just a Product ????

A successful startup is built on more than just a good product. Ankur highlighted the importance of having a robust foundation that includes clear vision, core values, and a strong team. Just like a building, your startup needs a solid base to support its future growth. Take the time to invest in your business infrastructure, culture, and people. The early stage might be slow and challenging, but it’s the most critical time to ensure everything is in place. A well-built foundation will help your startup withstand challenges and scale effectively.

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?10. Urgent vs. Important: Prioritize Wisely ???

In startups, everything can feel urgent. Ankur highlighted the need to distinguish between urgent and important tasks. If something can be delegated, do it. Focus on the critical areas that only you can handle and prioritize accordingly.

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?11. Leverage Karma and the Power of Helping Others ???

You don’t always have to repay the person who helped you. Instead, pay it forward to others. The positive energy you put into the world will come back to you in unexpected ways.

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?12. Reflect, Learn, and Adapt—Constantly ???

Setbacks and failures are inevitable in the startup journey. Ankur stressed the importance of reflecting on what went wrong, learning from the experience, and adapting your strategy. He shared a powerful analogy: “You can’t change the past, but you can use it as a lesson to shape your future.” This mindset of continuous improvement and resilience is what differentiates successful entrepreneurs. Each failure is a stepping stone if you use it to build a better version of yourself and your business.

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?13. Build Your Brand on Authenticity and Personal Connection ???

In the digital age, people crave authentic connections. Ankur emphasized that a brand is more than a logo or a catchy tagline. It’s about the story behind it—the people, values, and mission. Share your journey, struggles, and triumphs. Let your audience see the real you. People connect with people, not faceless entities. Your personal story can be a powerful tool to build trust and loyalty. As Ankur said, “Your brand should be a true reflection of who you are and what you stand for.”

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?14. Consistency is Personal: Define Your Own Rhythm ???

Consistency isn’t about rigid routines or following others’ paths. Ankur highlighted that it’s about finding your own rhythm and sticking to it. Understand what drives you and align your efforts accordingly. When you are passionate about your mission, consistency becomes a natural part of your journey. Set goals that resonate with you and create a sustainable routine. This personal approach to consistency is what keeps the momentum going, even when challenges arise.

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?15. Local Supply, Global Demand—Think Big ???

Identify a unique local product or service that can meet global demand. Ankur advised startups to focus on creating something that fulfills a local need but has the potential to serve a worldwide audience. He emphasized the importance of thinking globally while leveraging local strengths. This approach not only opens up new markets but also creates a more resilient business model that can thrive beyond local constraints.

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?16. Patience in Business Growth ??

Ankur humorously stated, “You can’t make a baby in one month by making nine women pregnant.” Success takes time, just like in business. Growth requires patience, nurturing, and the right timing.

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?17. Embrace Failure as a Stepping Stone ???

Failure is not something to be feared but embraced. Ankur shared that in the startup world, setbacks are inevitable. The true test of an entrepreneur is how they respond. He emphasized the importance of looking at failure as feedback. Every time you fail, it’s a lesson—an opportunity to improve and refine your approach. Don’t let the fear of failure hold you back. Instead, use it as fuel to keep pushing forward. The only real failure is giving up before you’ve truly tried everything.

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?18. Live a Life Without Regrets: The 'DDLJ' Lesson ???

Ankur shared a touching reference to the movie Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. In one scene, the grandmother on her deathbed says, “????? ???????? ????? ?? ?? ??” (I have lived my life well). This resonated deeply with Ankur, emphasizing the importance of living a fulfilling life. He reminded us that no matter how busy our startup life gets, we must prioritize living with intention and joy. When we reach our final moments, we should be able to look back with satisfaction, knowing we lived fully and without regrets. This is the ultimate success we should strive for, beyond any business achievement.

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?19. There’s No ‘End’ in Entrepreneurship—It’s a Continuous Journey ???

Ankur concluded with a profound insight: in life, the only true end is when life itself ends. In startups and entrepreneurship, there’s no such thing as a final failure. Every setback is an opportunity to start anew. A business might fail, but it’s not the end—it’s a chance to pivot, innovate, and build something even better. The entrepreneurial journey is about resilience and reinvention. Embrace it as a continuous process of learning, growing, and evolving. The end is never truly the end; it’s just the beginning of a new chapter.

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?20. Respect, Ownership, and Performance: The Triad of Success ???

Ankur emphasized three core values that are crucial for success: respect, ownership, and performance. Respect your customers and team members; treat them with dignity and value their contributions. Take ownership of your actions and decisions—good or bad. Accept responsibility and be accountable. And finally, strive for performance excellence in everything you do. These principles not only build a strong startup culture but also ensure long-term success.

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?21. Consistency Means What Works for You ???

Everyone has their own rhythm. Find what works for you and be consistent with it. If you are passionate about what you do, you will naturally stay consistent and driven.

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?22. Create a Brand with a Powerful Message ???

Branding is more than just logos and slogans. It’s about creating a message that resonates deeply with your audience. Ankur gave examples of global brands like Apple and Nike, showing how they’ve created powerful emotional connections with their customers. Focus on what makes your brand unique and build a strong identity around it.

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?23. Aspiring Authors: Write to Write ???

For those looking to write, Ankur’s advice is simple:

?“Write to write.” Don’t overthink it. Write consistently, every day if possible, and let your passion guide you. The book will follow naturally.

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?24. Recommended Reads for Entrepreneurs ???

Ankur recommended two books that offer deep insights into entrepreneurship and business growth:

- ReWork by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson: A guide on how to start and grow a business in a more efficient and focused manner.

- The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz: A realistic look at the challenges faced by startups and how to navigate them successfully.

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?25. Embrace a Growth Mindset ???

Failure is not a roadblock but a stepping stone to success. If a startup doesn’t work out, it’s not the end. Ankur emphasized that the entrepreneurial journey is about learning, growing, and continuously adapting. Life itself is the only end, and until then, keep evolving.

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These were just a few of my personal takeaways from Ankur Warikoo’s session, which focused on startups. The event was a goldmine of knowledge and inspiration, and these lessons have deeply impacted my entrepreneurial journey. Some points may be missing, but I hope this gives you a glimpse of the invaluable insights I gained.

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Which point resonated with you the most? Let’s connect and share our startup stories!

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And stay tuned for my next post, where I'll be sharing Ankur’s fascinating insights on digital courses and webinars!

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#Startups #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #PersonalDevelopment #StartupInsights #AnkurWarikoo