The Story Behind a Serial Entrepreneur

Embracing the Unexpected: The Entrepreneurial Mindset for Building from Scratch

As an entrepreneurship coach with over two decades of guiding founders through the exhilarating and often brutal journey of building businesses, I’ve seen one truth stand out above the rest: the ability to embrace the unexpected is the cornerstone of entrepreneurial success. The entrepreneurial path is not a straight line—it’s a winding road filled with detours, roadblocks, and the occasional breathtaking vista. Whether you’re starting from a garage, like Srinivasan Vitoba (Srini) did in his journey to global entrepreneurship, or launching a mission-driven venture like his Jeeva Water, the mindset you cultivate will determine whether you thrive or falter. This blog post dives into the mindset shift of embracing the unexpected, the real-world challenges entrepreneurs face, and actionable strategies to navigate uncertainty while building something from scratch.

The Central Lesson: Expect the Unexpected

Entrepreneurship is about stepping into the unknown, where plans rarely unfold as envisioned, and the only certainty is uncertainty. Srini’s story, as shared in The X Monks Drive podcast, illustrates this vividly. He transitioned from a medical representative to founding a global OEM for automobile companies, only to pivot again toward a mission to provide energized water to every village in India. His journey wasn’t driven by a meticulously crafted roadmap but by an openness to life’s unpredictability. As Srini puts it, “Life’s definition is expect the unexpected.”

This mindset shift—embracing the unexpected—requires entrepreneurs to let go of the illusion of control and instead develop a flexible, resilient approach to decision-making. It’s not about predicting every outcome but about building the capacity to adapt when the unexpected arrives. Whether it’s a market shift, a failed product launch, or an unforeseen opportunity like Srini’s encounter with Dr. Krishna Madhapa, the ability to pivot with purpose is what separates enduring entrepreneurs from those who burn out.

Why This Matters

The entrepreneurial journey is inherently volatile. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that about 20% of new businesses fail within their first two years, and nearly 45% don’t make it past five. While external factors like market conditions or funding play a role, the internal mindset of the founder is often the deciding factor. Those who cling to rigid plans or fear deviation from their original vision are more likely to crumble under pressure. In contrast, entrepreneurs who embrace the unexpected see challenges as opportunities to learn, iterate, and grow.

Srini’s decision to leave a successful global venture to pursue Jeeva Water wasn’t a reckless leap but a calculated response to an inner calling. His father’s advice—“Don’t chase money, do what you do sincerely, and money will happen”—shaped his ability to prioritize purpose over predictability. This mindset allowed him to see the potential in an unconventional idea like energized water, even when others questioned his sanity.

Real-World Challenges and How to Approach Them

1. Navigating Self-Doubt and Defining Success

Challenge: Entrepreneurs often grapple with self-doubt, especially when transitioning from a stable career to an uncharted venture. Srini faced this when he left his global business, with friends asking, “What’s wrong with you?” The pressure to define success—whether through wealth, status, or impact—can paralyze decision-making.

• Create a Purpose Statement: Write a one-sentence statement that defines why your venture matters to you. For example, Srini’s might be: “To restore the life energy of water for the betterment of humanity.”
• Journal Weekly: Spend 10 minutes each week reflecting on how your actions align with your purpose. This builds clarity and resilience against external pressures.
• Seek Grounded Feedback: Surround yourself with mentors who’ve “dirtied their hands,” as Srini advises. Avoid advisors who lack early-stage experience, as they may not understand the gritty realities of starting from scratch.

2. Managing Resource Constraints Without Sacrificing Vision

Challenge: Most startups begin with limited capital, talent, or infrastructure. Srini’s early days in a garage and his later investment in startups highlight the universal struggle of doing more with less. Many founders dilute their equity prematurely or overextend their resources, as Srini warns: “Do not dilute your equity for working capital.”

• Adopt the 80/20 Rule: Identify the 20% of activities that drive 80% of your results. For example, focus on customer validation over perfecting your product.
• Bootstrap Where Possible: Use free or low-cost tools (e.g., Notion for project management, Canva for design) to minimize expenses. Srini’s early export to Singapore with “Made in India with pride” branding shows how small, impactful moves can build momentum.
• Negotiate Smartly: When seeking funding, prioritize terms that preserve control. Srini’s insight about equity being costly capital is a reminder to value your ownership. Explore debt financing or revenue-based funding for working capital needs.

3. Scaling Without Losing Purpose

Challenge: Scaling a business while staying true to its mission is a delicate balance. Srini’s transition from a global OEM to Jeeva Water required him to redefine scale—not as endless growth but as disciplined impact. Many founders lose sight of their “why” when chasing market share or investor demands.

• Document Core Values: Write down 3–5 non-negotiable principles that guide your business. For Jeeva Water, this might include “Restoring water’s natural energy” or “Prioritizing impact over profit.”
• Hire for Mission Fit: When scaling, recruit team members who align with your vision. Srini’s collaboration with Dr. Krishna was effective because their values aligned on solving a global problem.
• Measure Impact Metrics: Beyond revenue, track metrics that reflect your mission. For example, Jeeva Water might measure the number of villages reached or health outcomes improved. Review these quarterly to stay on track.

Actionable Guidance: Building Resilience and Navigating Uncertainty

• Cultivate a Growth Mindset: View failures as experiments. Srini’s decision to review 100 startups to invest in one reflects a willingness to learn through iteration. When a product or strategy fails, ask, “What did I learn?” instead of “Why did I fail?”
• Build a Trusted Inner Circle: Surround yourself with mentors and peers who challenge your assumptions but support your vision. Srini’s reliance on gut instinct for investments highlights the value of intuition honed by experience. Seek advisors who’ve built from scratch, not just scaled established businesses.
• Test Small, Win Big: Validate your idea with minimal resources before committing fully. Srini’s first export to Singapore was a small but proud step that built confidence for global expansion. Create a minimum viable product (MVP) and test it with real customers to refine your offering.
• Stay Connected to Your Why: Regularly revisit your purpose to stay grounded. Srini’s rediscovery of his 2010 note about providing clean water to villages was a serendipitous reminder of his mission. Schedule monthly check-ins to ensure your actions align with your vision.
• Embrace Jugaad with Discipline: Srini compares India’s jugaad (resourceful improvisation) to Israel’s ability to scale innovation. Combine creative problem-solving with structured processes to turn ideas into sustainable businesses. Document your workflows to maintain quality as you grow.

Reflective Questions for Entrepreneurs

• What’s Your Personal Definition of Success? How does your current venture align with this definition, and what adjustments might you need to make to stay true to it?
• How Do You Handle the Unexpected? Think of a recent setback or surprise in your business. What did you learn, and how can you apply that lesson to future uncertainties?
• Are You Scaling with Purpose? As you grow, are your systems and team aligned with your core mission, or are you chasing growth for growth’s sake?

The Road Ahead: A Call to Action

Srini’s journey from a garage to a global mission with Jeeva Water is a testament to the power of embracing the unexpected. Entrepreneurship isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about asking better questions, staying resilient, and finding purpose in the chaos. As you build from scratch, remember that every challenge is a chance to connect the dots, as Steve Jobs famously said, even if those dots only make sense in hindsight.

Start small, stay true to your why, and don’t shy away from the unknown. Whether you’re launching a tech startup, a social enterprise, or a local business, the mindset of expecting the unexpected will carry you further than any business plan. As Srini’s story shows, the greatest opportunities often arise when you least expect them—over a cup of coffee, in a forgotten diary, or in a moment of bold reinvention.

So, take a deep breath, step into the uncertainty, and build something extraordinary. The world is waiting for your impact.