Niyati Tewari X Gaurav Dublish | EP01 Future Founders

Summary

In the debut episode of *Future Founders*, host N Tari sits down with Gav Uncle, CEO of Wildcraft, to explore his unconventional journey into entrepreneurship. From a young college student unsure of his future, Gav shares how his passion for outdoor living led him to create a pioneering outdoor gear brand. He discusses the importance of hiring for attitude over experience, the challenges of building a team, and the lessons learned through trial and error. Offering valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs, Gav emphasizes the need for passion, purpose, and the courage to take risks in the face of uncertainty.

Takeaways

• 😀 Entrepreneurship is not just about resources; it's about passion and a drive to create something from nothing.
• 😀 The journey to entrepreneurship often starts with a challenge or urge to do something unique, even without experience or resources.
• 😀 Employed work and entrepreneurship are not mutually exclusive; they often overlap, and one can pursue entrepreneurial endeavors even while employed.
• 😀 Starting a business requires a sense of adventure and a willingness to take risks, similar to navigating a wilderness trail.
• 😀 When choosing to start a business, one must focus on attitude over experience—it's about passion, culture, and the willingness to learn.
• 😀 Entrepreneurship is about making decisions—whether to slow down, speed up, or pivot—rather than ever giving up on the dream.
• 😀 Regret is a daily part of entrepreneurship but should be used constructively to improve and learn from mistakes.
• 😀 Starting young provides the benefit of time to make mistakes, but too much wisdom at an older age can lead to inaction due to baggage and risk aversion.
• 😀 Purpose-driven passion is key to long-term success in entrepreneurship—having both passion and a clear purpose helps align goals with actions.
• 😀 While pursuing entrepreneurship, one must recognize the importance of adaptability, not just the domain-specific expertise, in building a successful business.
• 😀 Sustainability is crucial and should be viewed as an overarching concept, not just a trending idea; true sustainability means leaving no trace and balancing progress with environmental responsibility.

Q & A

What motivated you to pursue entrepreneurship despite having a stable career path?

The motivation came from an innate urge to create something of value from scratch. The idea of venturing into the unknown, of being able to chart your own path, was exciting. It was less about the resources or intellect and more about the challenge and the freedom that comes with it.

How did you manage the shift from a structured 9-to-6 job to entrepreneurship?

The shift was radical. Working in a regimented job offered security and predictability, but entrepreneurship gave me the freedom to decide my pace, work in nature, and explore unconventional paths. The real challenge was in learning how to deal with uncertainty and making decisions without the structure of a regular job.

Why did you choose the sports gear industry specifically?

At the age of 23, I was looking for something unique. I was fascinated by the idea of exposing youngsters to the wilderness and encouraging them to take risks. The idea was to provide the tools for adventures and exploration, inspiring others to follow their own paths, just like I did.

What were the key challenges you faced when starting your company?

The biggest challenge was finding the right people. I didn’t have the resources or the experience at first, so I had to be resourceful. We focused on hiring people based on attitude rather than domain experience. This was risky but helped us create a passionate, energetic team.

How did you manage to get people to trust you and join your new venture?

We focused on hiring for attitude and passion, not just experience. Though it was tough in terms of product delivery, the team’s enthusiasm and spirit made it easier to manage the culture and work environment. This approach helped build trust, even when resources were limited.

Was there ever a moment when you felt like giving up?

No, there was never a moment when I wanted to give up. The adrenaline and challenges of entrepreneurship kept me going. While there were moments of regret or difficult choices, the drive and excitement were always there, pushing me forward.

What regrets did you have during your entrepreneurial journey?

The regrets were mostly about not having the right people at times, not having enough capital, or not having the right intellect to pitch the business effectively. But I learned not to dwell on regrets. Instead, I used them as opportunities to improve and move forward.

Do you believe it's better to start a business when you're young or older?

Both have their pros and cons. When you're younger, you have more time to make mistakes and learn. However, you may lack wisdom. On the other hand, older entrepreneurs have experience but might lack the same passion and the luxury of time. I believe starting younger is better, but it depends on individual circumstances.

What advice would you give to the upcoming generation of entrepreneurs?

Entrepreneurship lies at the intersection of passion and purpose. Having a clear purpose gives your passion direction. Without purpose, passion can be fleeting. For anyone looking to start a business, it's essential to be driven by both passion and a sense of purpose.

How do you feel about sustainability in entrepreneurship?

Sustainability is critical, but not in the conventional sense that it’s often discussed today. To me, sustainability means thriving without leaving a negative impact on the environment. It’s about making a difference without exploiting or damaging the world around us, which ties into the philosophy of 'Leave No Trace' in nature.