Exclusive: “Not Taking Risk Is Your Biggest…” This Advice By Yohan Poonawala Is Pure Gold!

When people think of Yohan and Michelle Poonawalla, they usually picture vintage Rolls-Royces, sprawling estates, polo matches, and a lifestyle most of us only see on Instagram. But during their conversation with Kamiya Jani on Stories From Bharat, the couple steered away from luxury and talked about something we all can relate to: the uncertain and occasionally terrifying business of chasing dreams.

Yohan And Michelle Poonawalla Share Their Biggest Lessons

Michelle Poonawalla spoke to Kamiya Jani about a lesson she passed on to her daughter when she was just nine years old. The advice was “If you can dream it, you can do it.” Yes, it’s a line many people associate with Disney, but Michelle wasn’t talking about fairy tales. She was talking about grit! 

Because, as she pointed out, life has a habit of throwing curveballs precisely when things seem to be going well. There will be disappointments. Plans will fall apart, doors will close, and yes, the real test isn’t whether obstacles appear; it’s what you do when they do. For Michelle, courage isn’t some grand heroic act. It’s waking up the next day and trying again, even when things haven’t gone your way.

Yohan Poonawalla picked up the thread from there and brought the conversation into the boardroom. His take on success was very old-school, as he announced that there is no shortcut. None! 

Also Read: Karan Kundrra & Tejasswi Prakash Give Home Tour, Talk About Desi Bling & More On Sunday Brunch With Kamiya

Straightforward Life Philosophy

In an era obsessed with overnight success stories and viral business gurus promising results, Yohan’s philosophy was very straightforward. Hard work, according to him, is non-negotiable. You can be intelligent, ambitious, and resourceful, but there is simply no substitute for putting in the hours.

The thing that stood out even more was what he called the most valuable asset in any business: people.

Yohan stressed that building a team you trust is one of the most important decisions an entrepreneur can make. Businesses grow because of people. They survive difficult periods because of people. And they scale because of people! The right team, he suggested, is often the difference between a good idea and a successful company.

The industrialist also touched upon something that makes many entrepreneurs uncomfortable, which is risk. He referenced a belief often repeated in business circles, that the biggest risk is not taking one at all. Playing safe may feel secure in the moment, but avoiding opportunities out of fear can sometimes become the costliest mistake.

Also Read: Did You Know Industrialist Yohan Poonawalla Owns A Car Previously Owned By Queen Elizabeth II?

Stay tuned for the full Stories From Bharat episode, launching soon on the Curly Tales App and Curly Tales YouTube Channel.

Cover Image Courtesy: Internal

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