Latest news with #SiddharthShankar
News18
15-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Indian-Origin Founder Sold Company For $500 Million, Now Faces Existential Crisis: 'Not Easy...'
Last Updated: Siddharth Shankar, an Indian-origin entrepreneur, who built a $500 million business empire, sold his company and faced "existential crisis". He opened up about it on a podcast. An Indian-origin London-based entrepreneur, Siddharth Shankar, who sold his business for $500 million last year, has opened up on the challenges he faced after selling his company, including confronting an existential crisis. He is known for founding Tails Trading, a firm that became one of the largest brand portfolio companies in the world. While he was leading the company, Tails Trading reached a major goal by selling its consumer brand division for $500 million in 2024. He recently appeared on the Trending Diary podcast and talked about his journey from humble beginnings to building a $500 million firm without debt or external investment. He reflected on how his early life, cultural transitions, and mindset shaped his path as an entrepreneur. Offering valuable insights on bootstrapping, resilience, and sustainable growth, he also spoke about his move to the UK, the challenges of starting a business from scratch, and how he overcame them. He said that he found the transition after selling his company tough as it impacted his daily routine. After 15 years of constant hustle, he found it difficult to cope with the sudden lack of purpose—joking about how even PlayStation and golf have their limits. Letting go of his entrepreneurial mindset proved to be a real challenge. 'How much PlayStation can one play? How much golf can I play? What more can I do? It's not that easy to switch off," he said. He explained how he was flooded with congratulatory messages after selling his company but also highlighted that he did not feel happy about it as he struggled an abrupt absence of meaning to his life. 'I sold the business because I wanted the best for the business, not for myself," Shankar said.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Earning Rs 427 crore gave unexpected identity crisis to this Indian founder. 'How much PlayStation can one play?'
Financial success is often seen as the ultimate goal for entrepreneurs, but for some, it brings unexpected emotional challenges. Siddharth Shankar , the Indian-origin founder of Tails Trading, found himself facing just that after selling his company's consumer brand arm in a $500 (Rs 427.19 crores) million deal. Despite the massive valuation and public praise, Shankar revealed that the aftermath of the sale left him grappling with a deep sense of emptiness and disconnection. His story sheds light on the lesser-known struggles that can come after achieving professional milestones. A Celebrated Exit That Brought Unexpected Emptiness Siddharth Shankar, who built Tails Trading into one of the world's leading brand portfolio companies, recently discussed his emotional experience following the deal. Speaking on the Trending Diary podcast , he described how the public celebration did not translate into personal satisfaction. 'There was a feeling of happiness because I had messages, calls, emails pouring in... suddenly I had a lot more [supporters],' he recalled. 'Your cheeks are hurting because you've been smiling for too long, and then you keep your phone down and that content is not there.' Shankar explained that one of the most difficult adjustments was the sudden loss of structure in his daily routine. For over 15 years, his schedule revolved around building and running the business. 'For 15 years, I've got up in the morning and I've had something to do,' he said. 'And then one fine day, you get up in the morning and you're like, 'What do I do now?'' Attempting to fill the gap with leisure did little to help. 'How much PlayStation can one play? How much golf can I play?' he asked, admitting the struggle to adapt. 'What more can I do? It's not that easy to switch off.' According to Shankar, his motivation for selling the business was rooted in what he believed was best for the company's future. 'I sold the business because I wanted the best for the business, not for myself,' he said. However, he now questions whether being more self-focused might have helped him emotionally in the long run. Who is Siddharth Shankar? According to his LinkedIn, Siddharth Shankar's entrepreneurial journey began in India, where he started his career in banking in New Delhi before shifting to entrepreneurship. He founded and led Tails Trading, a company that grew to manage over 285 consumer brands across multiple categories and became one of the world's largest brand portfolio companies. Under his leadership, the company established a global distribution network serving more than 150,000 customers worldwide. Shankar's strategies included managing a £2 billion trade finance fund and navigating pandemic-related challenges by adapting the business model. In 2024, he successfully orchestrated a $500 million exit of the company's consumer brand arm, marking a significant milestone in his entrepreneurial career.
NDTV
14-05-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Indian-Origin Founder Opens Up About Existential Crisis After Selling His Business For $500 Million
Siddharth Shankar, an Indian-origin entrepreneur who sold his business for $500 million, recently appeared on a podcast and shared his remarkable journey. The entrepreneur, based in London, is known for founding and leading Tails Trading, a company that grew into one of the world's largest brand portfolio companies. Under his leadership, Tails Trading achieved a significant milestone with a $500 million exit for its consumer brand arm in 2024. Mr Shankar garnered attention not only for his business success but also for his candid discussions about the personal challenges that followed, including an existential crisis after the sale. In a candid episode of the Trending Diary podcast, Mr Shankar first opened up about his journey from humble beginnings to building a $500 million empire without external investment or debt. He discussed how his formative years, cultural shifts, and mindset shaped him into the entrepreneur he is today, offering insights on bootstrapping, resilience, and sustainable growth. He also talked about the experience of moving to the UK, building a business from scratch and overcoming challenges. Most importantly, he also talked about the emotional aftermath of the exit, highlighting how it conflicted with his family's expectations of happiness. Watch the video here: Mr Shankar revealed that he found the transition tough after selling his company, mainly because he missed having a daily routine. After 15 years of being constantly engaged, he struggled with the sudden lack of purpose, joking about the limits of leisure activities like PlayStation and golf. He found it hard to switch off from his entrepreneurial mindset. "How much PlayStation can one play? How much golf can I play? What more can I do? It's not that easy to switch off," he explained. Following the sale of his company, Mr Shankar received a flood of congratulatory messages, but beneath the surface-level happiness, he felt a sense of discontent. Despite the external validation, he struggled with the sudden lack of purpose and meaning in his life. "I sold the business because I wanted the best for the business, not for myself," Mr Shankar said. About Siddharth Shankar Siddharth Shankar, an Indian-origin entrepreneur, launched his first business while studying computer science engineering. In 2016, he pursued an MBA at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, gaining a global perspective under mentors like Phillip Taylor. In 2017, he co-founded Tails Trading to connect British brands with Asian markets, focusing on empowering small businesses. After his co-founder left in 2019, Mr Shankar took full ownership, scaling Tails into the 14th largest brand portfolio company worldwide, managing 285+ consumer brands and serving 150,000+ customers across retail, HORECA, wholesale, and convenience stores. During COVID-19, he pivoted to local UK markets, partnering with supermarkets to ensure resilience and fuel future expansion. In 2024, he made a bold decision and sold Tails Trading's consumer brand arm for over $500 million, a strategic move to leverage specialised expertise for the company's next phase.
