Today we are excited to have Aru Anavekar join the podcast. Aru and her husband, Ramu Pulipati, are the Co-Founders of botsplash – “a software as a service messaging platform aimed at improving communications between consumers and businesses.” I saw Ramu pitch this as a very early beta in 2016 at 1 Million Cups in Charlotte. It has come a long way since then with intense work by Ramu and Aru.
In today’s podcast, I wanted to get to know Aru and learn more about the backstory. As an entrepreneur and investor, I think the background is so important. It helps bring out the character of the person and lets us peak into some of their values.
I love her story of discovery and learning. It plays so well into the heart of being an entrepreneur. Not to be left out, we dive into several key aspects of botsplash too as we lay the groundwork for a really good discussion next week. In today’s podcast, we address the following and much more:
What brought Aru to where she is today?
We learn they have always had a few side hustles in the past. How have they traditionally determined what is worth pursuing and what falls to the side?
Did Aru come from an entrepreneurial family? How about Ramu?
Aru got her MBA from Wake Forest several years ago? What has she taken from the MBA as she starts her own business?
What is she learning in her ‘new MBA’ in terms of getting a startup off the ground that she hasn’t learned before now?
How did working for a huge business (a bank) help prepare her for the startup world?
Would Aru go back to work for a bank or is she a forever entrepreneur?
What would Aru take back to the banks that she has learned from a startup?
How has it been raising a child in a startup family?
And more on a family working on a startup which comes with some really good personal finance advice from Aru.
Enjoy today’s podcast and come back next week for a really solid discussion on the business. I’m really excited to post it already!
William Bissett is an Investment Advisor Representative with Secrest Blakey & Associates, a Registered Investment Adviser. Opinions expressed on this program do not necessarily reflect those of Secrest Blakey & Associates. The topics discussed and opinions given are not intended to address the specific needs of any listener.
Secrest Blakey & Associates does not offer legal or tax advice, listeners are encouraged to discuss their financial needs with the appropriate professional regarding your individual circumstance.
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