In this episode of Founder Hacks, hosts Ben Thomas and Antony Enright are joined by Aingaran Pillai, CEO and founder of Zaizi. Over the past 18 years, Aingaran has navigated his business through various challenges to become a leading technology provider in the public sector. The discussion focuses on the theme of 'grit' and how enduring struggles can lead to success. Aingaran shares lessons on the importance of culture, as reflected in his experience of creating a 'winning culture' at his company. He also references Ben Horowitz’s book, 'The Hard Thing About Hard Things,' particularly the section on 'The Struggle,' which resonated deeply with him during tough times. The conversation further explores the complexities and loneliness of being a solo entrepreneur and the continuous journey of learning and storytelling to maintain and scale company culture.

00:00 Introduction: The Struggle and Success
00:46 Welcome to Founder Hacks
01:15 Meet Aingaran Pillai: CEO and Founder of Zaizi
02:21 The Importance of Grit in Entrepreneurship
03:25 Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast
05:13 The Role of Storytelling in Building Culture
11:05 The Hard Things About Hard Things
21:02 The Loneliness of a Single Entrepreneur
26:33 Passing the Baton: Sharing Knowledge and Experience
27:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Photo by Jonny Gios on Unsplash