In this episode, my guests are Ritwik and Kartik Khator. The twin brothers Ritwik and Kartik are the founders of Startup Indian, which is a company that offers research, analysis, and financial expertise services to startups and founders.

We discuss:

• the twins’ journey to becoming Chartered Accountants (the equivalent for which is CPA in the US), and how to avoid the numerous pitfalls that make it such an uphill battle

• how Kartik and Ritwik chose to go out on their own instead of being employed by various firms that offered them positions

• entrepreneurship, and how one can determine if starting up is the right move for them (3 "checks")

• writing effective and immensely information-rich newsletters to drive inbound marketing and stand-out from their competitors - with an example of exactly how to add your own unique perspective while writing content

• their experience working with high net-worth individuals, some traits they’ve notices in these individuals; and how to scale a company without losing sight of the present.

• a hidden gem of a work management tool that the twins swear by and finally, what it is like to grow up with another human identical to you.

Note: 63,000 crore INR = $7.5B USD

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Resources:

Work management tool - ⁠SuperWorks⁠

Timestamps:

(00:00:00) Introduction and background

(00:04:26) What makes becoming a CA so formidable?

(00:07:59) Positive reinforcement (from a twin sibling)

(00:09:14) Path after graduation - How R&K chose the next step

(00:11:33) How to crush real-world problems as a Chartered Accountant

(00:13:39) Beginning of R&K’s entrepreneurial journey

(00:16:26) Setting up for long term success + WHY entrepreneurship?

(00:19:09) Traits of successful entrepreneurs (P.S It’s not for everyone)

(00:23:42) Writing newsletters to win clients (solicitation NOT allowed!)

(00:28:00) Reaching investors and founders

(00:30:05) How to write an effective newsletter

(00:32:32) Tool: Using your unique perspective to differentiate yourself

(00:34:56) Working with High Net-Worth Individuals and Investors

(00:38:01) On “challenging” HNIs and Investors

(00:41:49) How to scale your start-up/business

(00:44:48) On Hiring smart

(00:46:43) Goal setting for your start-up and driving the India Growth Story

(00:50:46) Work management tool recs

(00:53:05) Growing up with a twin sibling - secrets finally revealed

(00:55:39) Outro + Gratitude