Recently, we had the pleasure of opening our doors to a bright and energetic group of management students from SCMS. They came seeking insights into the “startup journey,” but the conversation quickly evolved into a deep dive into serendipity, the reality of leadership, and the unconventional rules that define our culture.
Our Founder & CEO, Karthick, sat down with the group for a candid Q&A session. Here are the highlights from their discussion.
On the “Spark” of Starting Up
Question: How did you come about starting the company, and what was your inspiration?
Karthick: “It’s funny, but it was never actually planned. It was quite serendipitous. As Steve Jobs—whom I deeply admire—once said, ‘You can only connect the dots looking back.’
I remember an incident years ago where I jokingly told a friend I would create a company called ‘Macrosoft’ to compete with Microsoft. It was a joke at the time, but thinking back now, I realize that the entrepreneurial germ had always been there. It just needed the right moment to grow.”
On Navigating the Hurdles
Question: What were the biggest challenges you faced while setting up the company?
Karthick: “In our industry, the challenge isn’t just technology or capital—it’s people. Finding the right minds is hard, but keeping them is harder. Touchwood, we’ve managed not only to bring the brightest talents on board but, more importantly, to protect the culture and ethos that make us who we are.”
The Three Pillars of Expericia
Question: What defines this company’s culture?
Karthick: (Smiles) “That is a great question. Our culture isn’t a poster on the wall; it’s lived through three simple principles:
Respect Everyone: We never judge anyone based on where they come from, what they eat, or the language they speak. Diversity is what makes us stronger.
Embrace Failure: We see failure as a mandatory part of learning. If you aren’t trying and failing, you aren’t growing.
Remember the Basics: Never forget the first two principles. They shape how we move forward.”
Advice for the Next Generation
Toward the end of the session, the students shared that they all hope to become entrepreneurs one day, though most plan to gain “real-world” exposure in the industry first before taking the plunge. When they asked for a final piece of advice, Karthick offered a refreshing perspective:
“I never give advice, because I never take advice! My only suggestion would be to never chase money. While money is incredibly important, it must be the byproduct of the work you put in, not the primary goal.”
Hosting the students from SCMS was a reminder that the future of management is in curious and capable hands. We look forward to seeing these students connect their own “dots” in the years to come
