When was the last time you took a risk? In life, you’ve got two choices. Either you can make your own decisions, or let others make them for you. Sagar Daryani, the co-founder of India’s fastest growing chain Wow! Momo, refused to let social diktats dictate his dreams. His Josh Talk has a simple but powerful message: persistence pays off.
Sagar struggled with math in college. The very thought of giving a CAT exam sent chills down his spine. His peers urged him to settle for a vocational career. But the fire in him to start his own business refused to die down. In 2008, he opened a momo outlet in Kolkata with his batchmate Binod Kumar Homagai. Why momos, you ask? Sagar drew inspiration from a momo-seller outside his school! Inspiration, truly, is everywhere. He further convinced his father to lend him ₹30,000 for his startup. Today, his venture stands at a valuation of ₹250 crore. Wondering how Sagar managed to pull this off? Watch the video below to find out!
In the video, Sagar describes the initial days of struggle. “We didn’t have the money to print leaflets or hire a full-time chef. We had a part-time chef who would come in the morning and prepare momos for us. Binod and I would wear Wow! Momo t-shirts and go up to customers with a tray of momos for taste sampling. That’s how we marketed our brand. We always had a product-oriented marketing campaign.”
Sagar outlines the unforeseen advantages of limitations when it comes to problem-solving. He convincingly shows that it is at times when the resources are limited that the greatest and most profound innovations can take root. Sagar Daryani’s Josh Talk is an excellent reminder for when you feel like you’re up against the wall with almost nothing to work with.