Bengaluru CEO, an NIT-IIM passout, blasts fin-influencers. Asks, why are you selling Rs 5,000 stock market courses when you have achieved financial independence?

Time of India

4 hours ago

The Problem with Unrealistic Benchmarks
Questioning the Motives of Influencers
Exploiting Insecurities
A Call for Perspective
Who is Abid Hassan?
Bengaluru-based entrepreneur Abid Hassan recently cautioned people against blindly believing financial influencers who glamorize wealth figures and market expensive courses. Sharing his perspective on LinkedIn, Hassan expressed strong disapproval of the culture where influencers trivialize enormous sums like Rs 10 crore or Rs 20 crore in order to instill insecurity among audiences and push their products.Hassan emphasized that accumulating Rs 10 crore is no ordinary achievement, and reaching ₹20 crore is even more extraordinary. In his view, such milestones cannot be regarded as the default expectation in India, even among the upper middle class. While he acknowledged that individuals who manage to cross these thresholds deserve appreciation, he stressed that not everyone will, and that reality is perfectly acceptable.He criticized the influencer community that mushroomed after the COVID-19 pandemic, calling out their tendency to treat massive sums casually, almost as if discussing pocket money. According to him, this tactic deliberately fosters feelings of inadequacy, insecurity, and greed—eventually pushing people toward buying overpriced courses that promise unrealistic financial independence."My number 1 problem is that they talk about these huge numbers like it is nothing - casually - like it is a 500 Rs note. And why do they do that? To make you feel bad, insecure, and inadequate. Why? Because they have their courses to sell, peddling greed and insecurity, promising you that you can achieve financial freedom like they did..." he wrote.The CEO highlighted a paradox in the influencer model: those who genuinely achieve financial freedom would not need to sell courses for a few thousand rupees or indulge in questionable collaborations. He argued that if they were truly independent, they would choose to step away from social media marketing and simply enjoy life, instead of seeking income through crypto promotions, 'pump and dump' schemes, or endless direct messages.Hassan detailed why he finds this trend harmful. First, he pointed out that it manipulates people's self-worth by equating success with hitting unrealistically high financial numbers. For the majority of individuals, missing these benchmarks is normal and not something to be ashamed of. Yet influencers deliberately frame it otherwise, making followers feel inadequate.Second, he observed that young professionals are especially vulnerable to these tactics. Instead of focusing on strengthening their skills, enhancing their competence, or working toward meaningful contributions, many get distracted by gimmicks such as costly masterclasses or trivial financial tricks. He dismissed these strategies—like minor SIP investments, credit card optimizations, or speculative trading—as ineffective for wealth creation. Worse, he warned that such distractions could derail people from their core careers.Finally, Hassan underscored the outright scam-like nature of these schemes. By amplifying fear and anxiety about the future, influencers lure people into spending money on services that ultimately provide little or no value.For those who have not yet amassed great wealth, Hassan urged calm and self-acceptance. Comparing oneself with others, he warned, only damages mental health and fuels unnecessary anxiety. Instead, he recommended channeling energy into learning new skills, building competence, focusing on long-term goals, and most importantly, enjoying life in the present moment.Abid Hassan is the Chief Executive Officer of Sensibull, a Bengaluru-based trading platform. An alumnus of NIT Calicut and IIM Ahmedabad, he is known for speaking candidly about financial literacy and the dangers of misleading online narratives.