“Before I start a company, I always invest at least one year to knowing that sector thoroughly. I research about almost everything related to that business – competition, market potential, revenue model, legal and regulatory obligations, among other aspects.”

There is always some element of competition. As and when more players show interest in a space, it endorses increasing demand. I have never taken competition as a treat.

The New Romantic scene was so tiny. Although it got lots of mileage in the media, it was a really small club with only a core group of people. As it got more popular, kids started to come from the suburbs all dressed up, but it -really wasn’t as big as it looked.

However, to build a successful business, focus on creating more value through the product, and direct your efforts on solving real issues.

Never compromise on hiring the best talent. Build value, not valuation. We have never used tactics like giving discounts, cashback to make customers use our product. This way no one can create a sustainable business.

If one wants to innovate or even survive in today’s competitive world, one must keep abreast of emerging new technologies.

We are flattered to witness the response generated by the beta program and are working towards accommodating all pending sign up requests as soon as we launch live.

Technology is no longer a luxury. People across generation and geographies are making use of mobile technologies. Startups have capitalised on this phenomenon.

If you have a strong business idea, then it is comparatively easy now to get capital. It is a positive thing that increasingly more people want to join the startup bandwagon.

If you manage to build a sustainable product, revenue will follow. A lot of startups fail because they concentrate on incremental innovations, increasing user base, and monetisation before strengthening the core of their business.

A lot has changed in India in the last decade. We can attribute the growth of India’s startup ecosystem to the increased penetration of affordable smartphones and data connectivity across the country.

I have never compromised on fundamentals. I’ve always believed in focusing on creating value and not valuation.

I pay homage and respect to Bobby Womack [for Black History Month] knowing that he passed last year… Him being one of those artists that I have really sampled so much and just been so inspired by… You know, he is the original ‘soul man.’

Every time I sit in the audience and watch a show that I have been involved with, it is such an amazing feeling to see all those people around me, knowing they are actually watching and enjoying something I have written.

Wake up knowing that Allah is greater than any obstacle you may face today.

Maybe the secret to continued success is as simple as knowing that your past successes could be done so much better now.

I would say, being a parent is what makes me vulnerable. Loving someone so much it scares you.

My great strength is knowing who I am and where I come from – my island.

Sometimes it was daunting, knowing how easily I could break things. This one simple curse seemed to dominate my entire life.

But the soul of Africa, its integrity, the slow inexorable pulse of its life, is its own and of such singular rhythm that no outsider, unless steeped from childhood in its endless.