In this ELI podcast episode, Naveen Tiwari, co-founder of Scrabble and Jigsaw, shares his journey from a small-town upbringing in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, to building a successful executive search and recruitment firm. With a background in private banking and seven years in recruitment at Michael Page, Naveen co-founded Scrabble with his wife and a colleague, focusing on leadership hiring (₹30L+ salaries) and later expanding to mid-level hiring through Jigsaw. He credits his wife’s push for entrepreneurship, family support, and strong client relationships for helping them scale from an initial ₹50 lakh revenue target to over ₹21 crore in four years. Naveen emphasizes action over overthinking, innovative low-cost strategies like profit-sharing with returnees, and the power of storytelling through their own podcast to inspire professionals at every stage of their career.

In this insightful episode of ELI, we speak with Raghvendra Nath, the Managing Director of Ladderup Asset Managers, a leading private wealth management firm in India. Raghvendra shares his extensive experience in the Indian capital markets since 1994 and provides a deep dive into how family offices and high-net-worth individuals approach investments. We discuss the unique challenges and opportunities in India's wealth management landscape, the crucial role of trust and quality advice, the differences in investment strategies compared to the middle class, and Raghvendra's perspective on the future of wealth management in the age of robo-advisors and AI. A must-listen for anyone interested in finance, investments, and understanding the world of high-end wealth management in India.Chapters:0:00 Introduction to Ragavendra Natad & Ladderup Asset Managers0:33 Ladderup Asset Managers: 14 Years of Managing Wealth in India1:54 Ragavendra's Early Journey in Capital Markets (1994)2:39 The Evolution of Indian Capital Markets and SEBI's Role3:57 Joining Birla Life Mutual Fund in the Nascent Stage5:36 Developing the Northern Region and Understanding Investor Behavior6:41 Leading Investment Strategy and Launching Innovative Products8:00 The Transition from Employee to Entrepreneurship9:55 The Landscape of Wealth Management in India: Fragmentation and Competition11:58 Identifying the Gaps: The Need for Quality and Trustworthy Advice13:51 The Importance of Protecting Hard-Earned Wealth16:28 Building Trust with High-Net-Worth Clients: Leveraging Experience18:58 The Challenge of Building Credibility in a Market Full of Promises21:58 How HNIs and Family Offices Invest Differently from the Middle Class22:33 Fundamentals of Investing: A Timeless Perspective23:57 The Underlying Belief in Startup Investments24:42 AIFs, PMS, and Mutual Funds: Understanding the Nuances26:54 Advantages of PMS Managers and the Importance of Investment Rigor27:20 Debunking Myths: Risk Appetite and Returns of Wealthy Investors28:22 Why Wealthy Individuals Tend to be Risk Averse30:39 Higher Risk Doesn't Always Mean Higher Return, But Higher Volatility32:59 The Future of Ladderup: Navigating Technology and Robo-Advisors34:09 The Rise of DIY Investment Solutions34:53 Risk Management: A Concept That AI Cannot Fully Grasp36:15 The Importance of Human Advisors During Market Downturns37:53 Wealth Management as a Guide: The Enduring Need for Human Expertise39:11 Closing Remarks and Thank You

In this episode of ELI, we sit down with Pranav, the founder and CEO of The Hosteller, India's largest self-operated backpacker hostel chain! Discover the journey of building a brand new hospitality concept in India, the key differences between hotels and hostels, and how The Hosteller caters to the adventurous spirit of young Indian travelers. Pranav shares his insights on overcoming initial challenges, navigating the COVID pandemic, fostering a strong community, leveraging social media for growth, and the importance of persistence in entrepreneurship. Tune in to learn about the booming backpacker culture in India!Chapters:0:00 Intro to Pranav & The Hosteller0:45 Understanding the Hostel Concept vs. Hotels1:29 The Hosteller's Target Audience and Their Needs2:10 Identifying the Gap in India's Budget Hospitality Market3:21 The Early Days: Educating the Indian Traveler4:04 Pranav's Journey to Entrepreneurship and the Love for Travel5:18 Discovering the Backpacker Hostel Concept in Europe6:27 Starting The Hosteller: Overcoming Initial Challenges8:21 Bootstrapping and Early Growth: Jaipur, Delhi, Manali9:08 Educating the Market About Backpacker Hostels10:11 The "Sticky" Nature of the Hostel Experience11:13 The Rapid Growth of the Backpacker Hostel Category in India12:04 Customer Acquisition Strategies: Website and OTAs12:57 The Importance of Social Media and Content Creation14:40 Addressing Safety and Security Concerns in Hostels15:57 Positioning Towards Travelers Who Understand the Culture17:00 Peer-to-Peer Watching and Female-Only Dorms18:33 Safety Record and Measures Taken19:45 Navigating the COVID Pandemic: Challenges and Opportunities21:39 The Lean Hospitality Model and Flexibility During Crisis22:24 Bold Moves During COVID: Expanding The Hosteller23:06 Building a Community Experience in Hostels24:20 Tapping into Accommodation, F&B, Transportation, and Activities24:59 Free Tours, Events, and Activities to Connect Travelers26:12 The Hosteller's Web App for Community Interaction26:44 Insights from User Analytics: Solo Female Travelers and Community Engagement28:20 The Trend of Smart Stays and Automation29:46 The Role of Customer Feedback and Negative Reviews in Improvement32:07 Defining the Entrepreneurial Journey: The Importance of Persistence33:33 Final Thoughts and Thank You