'No money, no plan, no safety net': Shark Tank India's Anupam Mittal shares his bold move that helped build his startup
Anupam Mittal recalls being advised to play it safe and rebuid slowly.
In a world where conventional wisdom often rewards caution, Shaadi.com founder Anupam Mittal is flipping the script. In a recent viral LinkedIn post, the entrepreneur and Shark Tank India judge shared an unfiltered reflection on risk, resilience, and rewriting the rulebook. For anyone chasing exponential success, Mittal warns: following the 'safe' path won't take you far.According to Mittal, most people dream of 100x returns but operate with a 1x mindset. He admitted that figuring out money took him time, but understanding wealth took even longer. What stood out through the years, though, was a pattern: the biggest wins often came not from playing by the book, but from bending the rules—not illegally, but unapologetically.Sharing a glimpse into his own journey post-dot-com, Mittal recalled moving back to India with no money, no plan, and no safety net. While well-wishers advised him to play it safe and rebuild slowly, he chose the path less travelled—launching an Internet company in a country that barely had Internet. With no direct-to-consumer (D2C) ecosystem, no dating app culture, and no e-commerce playbook, Mittal didn't follow demand. He created it.
He also pointed out how this pattern continues across generations, whether it's content creators starting before content was 'cool,' or founders launching when the market wasn't ready, or brands that thrive by defying conventional paths. The rules, he admits, are useful—but only until you learn when and how to bend them. Ending his post with a powerful note for builders and dreamers alike, Mittal wrote: 'First learn the rules. Then, write your own. Because 'play it safe' rarely makes history.'
Users flooded Anupam Mittal's post with praise, calling his story a powerful reminder that real breakthroughs often stem not from outright defiance, but from the courage to think differently, with intention rather than impulse. Many resonated with the idea that while understanding the rules is crucial, true impact often comes from knowing when to rewrite them. Others reflected on how personal growth and game-changing success can come from trusting one's gut over the conventional rulebook, even if it means being a little bold—or a little crazy.
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