Startup founder says she's all for her employees taking up side hustles
While most companies fear losing talent to passion projects, a Mumbai-based founder is flipping that fear on its head. Vedika Bhaia, founder of Growth Square and Social Capital, said she not only supports but encourages her employees to pursue side hustles, even if it means watching them outgrow her companies someday.In a now-viral post on LinkedIn, Bhaia said, 'At both my companies, we have team members who freelance on the side. While our agency is their main source of income right now, I secretly hope that one day we become their side-hustle.'advertisement
Challenging the conventional corporate fixation on loyalty, she said that employee stagnation reflects leadership failure. 'If my team isn't growing, pushing boundaries, or building their personal brand, then I've failed as a founder,' she wrote.Bhaia argued that side hustles don't dilute focus; they sharpen it. According to her, multiple income streams offer safety, passion projects prevent burnout, and exploring different roles speeds up growth. She also called the old-school idea of 'one job forever' outdated in 2025.'I've seen team members start companies that absolutely crush it, and honestly, there's no better feeling than knowing I played a small part in their journey. Sometimes that means saying goodbye to super-talented people chasing bigger dreams,' she said. The entrepreneur made it clear that this isn't about letting go of people, it's about setting them up to fly higher. 'It's a success if my mentorship helps someone build something beyond the boundaries of my own company,' she wrote.advertisementTake a look at her viral post here: Her post resonated widely on LinkedIn. One of the users applauded her mindset, saying, 'Most leaders talk about retention. You're talking about evolution.' Another user added, 'Side hustles are no longer optional, they're essential. Love that you're leading with this mindset.''This is the kind of forward-thinking leadership that attracts and retains top talent. Bravo!' one of the users said. See the comments here: By embracing ambition rather than fearing it, Vedika Bhaia's approach is indeed a fresh playbook for leaders hoping to stay relevant and human in a rapidly changing work culture.Tune InMust Watch
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