The Institute of BBA and BBA (Business Analytics), Faculty of Management and Commerce at PES University, hosted an inspiring session under its flagship series BTalk #35 titled “Beyond the Idea: The People, Grit, and Things That Build Great Startups.” Held on 11 February 2026 at Auditorium 1B, GJBC, RR Campus, the session ran from 10:45 AM to 12:30 PM and featured Ms. Kriti Kanthi, Fractional COO at Sisters in Sweat. With a packed audience of 236 participants, the talk delivered deep insights into what it truly takes to build and sustain a successful startup.
Entrepreneurship: A Journey Powered by Purpose and People
Kriti Kanthi opened her talk by breaking the popular myth of the “solo founder.” She emphasized that no founder builds alone, highlighting the crucial role of community, mentors, and early supporters in turning ideas into reality. She explained that ideas often evolve collectively, and many contributors remain behind the scenes—even though their impact is significant.
She stressed the centrality of purpose, explaining that entrepreneurship is not merely about profit-making. Drawing from Nike’s philosophy that “anyone with a body is an athlete,” she demonstrated how a powerful purpose can build a global movement and define a brand’s soul.
Grit Over Glamour: The Reality of Building a Startup
One of the most compelling aspects of the session was the emphasis on grit. Kriti reminded students that entrepreneurship is neither glamorous nor instantaneous. It is shaped by:
- Hard work over hype
- Consistency over fleeting success
- Timing over natural talent
She shared that risk is inseparable from entrepreneurship. To become a founder, one must build their ‘risk muscle,’ embrace failure, and continue forward even during difficult phases. Her message was clear: “Real courage is when you continue when you have nothing.”
Leadership That Inspires Action
Kriti encouraged students to develop a multidimensional leadership mindset:
“Think like a CEO, count like a CFO, and market like a storyteller.”
She explained that vision, financial understanding, and communication are three pillars of effective entrepreneurship. Strong language and storytelling, she noted, are essential for building connections, influencing teams, and attracting opportunities.
Kriti also introduced the idea of momentum mindset — learning through action, not contemplation.
“Momentum builds belief,” she said, reminding students that progress often appears gradually, but only to those who persist.
Key Takeaways: Purpose → Action → Change
Students left with practical lessons on building meaningful ventures:
- Entrepreneurship is collaborative, not solitary
- Purpose drives resilience, especially in tough times
- Hard work and timing matter more than hype
- Failure is a stepping stone, not an endpoint
- Consistent action builds momentum and confidence
- Communication is a powerful leadership tool
- Purpose, Action, and Change form the foundation of impactful startups
Student Engagement and Organizing Team
The event saw enthusiastic participation from over 20 BBA and BBA‑BA students.
The core organizing team—Mohammed Umar, Havish S Shekar, and Shreya R—managed multiple responsibilities including:
- Event ideation and preparation
- Venue arrangements
- Poster design
- Guest escorting
- Anchoring and speeches
- Attendance management
- Photography and videography
- Tech support
- Crowd management
- Report writing
Their efforts ensured a smooth and professional experience for the audience and the speaker.
Conclusion
BTalk #35 delivered a powerful exploration of the entrepreneurial mindset. Kriti Kanthi’s perspectives offered students an honest, insightful, and deeply motivating understanding of what it means to build a startup with purpose, resilience, and continuous action.
The event concluded with strong student engagement and interest, as many expressed excitement about the internship opportunities and real-world exposure mentioned during the session. Organized by the B‑Talk Team, this session continues PES University's commitment to nurturing future leaders, innovators, and changemakers.
