I write on
Hey, I’m Mayuresh Shilotri
In short..
I’m a entrepreneur & tinkerer from Mumbai (Thane), India. I’m 37 years old and I’ve been building businesses for about 8 years.
I understand technology to build products for customers in B2B and B2C space. Built product/ revenue/ team from scratch.
A little more ...
I’ve been in love with tinkering to build human experience using technology for over half my working life. Constantly learning, improving. I consider myself a hacker in that I’m always using technology to solve my life’s problems and ambitions.
I love to mentor. Been guiding aspirants/ learners with career queries. Conducting programs for Professors in Engineering Colleges in Teaching better Online. Guiding young entrepreneurs.
I live in a really cool city called Thane in its downtown core in a super old house with my wife Karuna, my daughter Sia, my Mom and sister. I don’t post pics with my daughter online.
I have a few hobbies. I do a lot of home improvement work – built wooden tables, electric string lights, painting, flooring. Basically, I have built a repository of miniature Home Depot store at home. I like to read books in English, Marathi and Hindi. I like to learn. Yes – Learning is my hobby. I’ve recently experimented into cooking.
1999 - The MOST Uncorrupt
After my 10th standard, my Dad openly confessed to me he cannot guide me regarding my career. He can connect me with various people, help me with a few financial resources, and he put very clear limits on them. He laid down the framework. This is what I can do. This is what I cannot help you with.
I understood the concept of risk, understood the concept of stop-loss. And I found it was very fair. This is how things are. I never complained that my father is not being able to guide me. My friends had more educated parents. I helped him to understand that there are two types of seats with corresponding fee structure. One is the merit seat. And second, is what we call as the paid or management seat. After understanding, he very clearly told me I need to get a merit seat. And there is no way that he will finance a paid seat for me for the next four years.
That registered very very clearly. I really appreciate my dad’s clarity. Being forthright, being direct and being honest. The most uncorrupt man whose connection between head, heart & mouth was short-circuited. Perhaps that was also his undoing. But he was what he was. People loved him. I loved him.
2001 - Astrologer Strikes
My father was a believer in astrology. So for my career choices. He felt it was only imperative that we seek qualified astrological advice. I said, I wish to pursue mechanical engineering. Back in the day, 2001. Mechanical Engineering was NOT booming, IT and CS were in its heyday. So it was only commonsensical that you opt for IT or Computer Science. However, my sense told me, I wanted to pursue Mechanical (engineering). And the reason was very simple. I like to play with hinges, gears, understand locking mechanisms, fiddle with hardware from a very early age. But the astrologer came back and said that I should pursue Instrumentation, or Electronics.
My sense of individuality and will were not sufficiently strong enough to overrule the advisory issued by the astrologer and seconded by my father. I ended up getting the Merit Electronics engineering seat. FYI – I topped Engineering Mechanics in 1st Semester in my College (shucks). FACT: People fail en masse in Engineering Mechanics.
2001 to 2005 - Aamir Khan Effect
From 2001 to 2005. In these four years. Amir Khan, the popular Bollywood actor, did not have a single theatrical release. He was undergoing a divorce. These years also hold a very special significance for me. On a personal front – my family had legal, personal and financial issues. These years were full of trials and tribulations at home, high decibel scenes and hardships. I remember completing the whole four years on exactly two trousers and 4 T-shirts. Managing my college fees with scholarships.
Seek refuge in books. Take punches on the chin, not give up. Wait for your time. Not to crib. Smile. Happiness is a choice.
2005 to 2007 - Coming out of Shadows
I got placed on Day ‘0’ in the engineering school.
This was the first time – I was earning money. I could support my family. I met some very interesting peers who were career focused, clear-headed, with objectives clearly outline for the next year or two. These are the things which are completely missing in me. Think the previous years have taken a toll on my aspiration. The most important contribution of the couple of years at Syntel was a rekindling of my aspirations. What I could do, where I can succeed, where I can fail. And what are the possibilities that lay ahead.
2007 to 2009 - Rapid Growth - IITM
Joining Indian Institute of Technology, Madras was a landmark decision in my life. I think it resulted from some amount of clarity that I had generated in my two years in Syntel.
IITM was fun. The range of people. The geographies they came from the backgrounds, the diversity, the motivations, the competitiveness and talents.
The institution has so much to offer. The level of academic excellence, infrastructure, emphasis on quality, the processes, the rigour. Most people find a 2 year residential MBA a living hell. I had a gala time.
I discovered that I have something valuable to offer. I can make an impact.
2009 to 2013 - Stability
On the day of my marriage – I did not have a job. Standing on the stage for my reception. As people were coming to offer their congratulatory messages – I remember one person asking me. “What do I do? Where do I work?” And I honestly didn’t have an answer. I just smiled. Asked him to enjoy the lunch.
I was again a Day ‘0’ pick on B-School campus. 2008 being a recession year – joining in most companies was delayed.
After marriage I experienced a certain stability, importance of creating memories, camaraderie and more.
My stint at Cognizant also started. It was financially very rewarding. And a very strong corporate career opened up for me.
2013 to 2017 - Karmayogi
As per Hinduism, ‘Karmayog’ means right action is also a form of prayer.
At Cognizant, I grew rapidly on responsibilities, team size, size of business handled, designation, recognition and opportunities. Everything came thick and fast. Something was still missing. I out grew the rate at which opportunities came from Cognizant. I discovered that there is a very strong entrepreneurial bug – urge to build something.
As an entrepreneur from 2013. I was focused on the right action. Completely non political, blinders on, just focusing on the excellent work. I was raw. But this tremendously helped me grow with skills, whole entrepreneurial ecosystem, VC funding, building products and more.
I love to build stuff
What do I write
On Product, EdTech, UX, Customer Development & Early Stage Growth. 2,000-Word posts only.
Raw Perspective
Telling you things as they are. Raw. Perspectives you only get if you reach a point in the journey.
About me
Like occasional gymming. No frills human. Like to read. Laugh. Teetotaller. Foodie. Work is worship.
Life
I intend to use this website to reflect majorly on my experiences personal and professional (separately).
Work
Built 1 startup ground up. Got acquired by an American NASDAQ listed company. Building my 2nd startup for the last 4 years.
My Story
I am from a conservative Maharashtrian family. Education was the ladder to opportunity. Created a few opportunities. Converted fewer out of them. Working my way through failure and success. Working for 15+ years – Saw a few things in UX, Product, Marketing, Early Stage Growth, Technology, Edtech, Data Science, Venture Capital and little more. This is my attempt at sharing the experience & learnings.
