From code to community with Sundar Rajan

From code to community with Sundar Rajan

Author: PM Power Consulting April 27, 2025 Duration: 54:34

I am in conversation with Sundar Rajan, a serial entrepreneur, currently the founder of OneMyle, a platform that seeks to address the needs of hyperlocal digital marketing in neighborhoods. He was earlier the co-founder of JustBooks, a lending library chain, supported by an innovative technology platform.

Sundar reflects on his journey from a software developer to an entrepreneur, sharing his experiences and challenges along the way:

Early Career in IT:

  • He worked in IT, building software for banking and financial services.
  • His exposure to implementation and user experience shaped his professional growth.

Transition to Entrepreneurship:

  • His entrepreneurial journey began unexpectedly with a family-run library project, Just Books, which turned out to be a success.
  • He faced challenges balancing a job with entrepreneurship and gradually pivoted to focus on growing the library business.

Expansion and Challenges of Just Books:

  • The business grew organically to over 60 libraries across cities, driven by franchising.
  • He adapted to changes like the rise of digital books and evolving customer behaviors.

Shift to OneMyle:

  • After exiting Just Books, he started OneMyle, a digital marketing platform aimed at connecting local businesses, communities, and creators.
  • He shared insights into shaping the platform, testing features, and learning to target specific personas, including local creators.

Personal Practices and Reflections:

  • Sundar emphasized the importance of reading code, context switching, and his method of note-taking (emails to himself) as tools for managing stress and priorities.
  • He candidly discussed the unpredictable nature of entrepreneurship and the learning process involved.


Sundar Rajan is an Entrepreneur, Co-Founder Onemyle, JustBooks

Technology & Entrepreneurship remain big areas of interest.

Worked in IT industry for 15 years, before turning Entrepreneur.

While in IT, was involved in software product development for financial services industry. 

As an Entrepreneur, have keen interest in 'Neighborhoods', especially the interaction between local businesses and residents nearby.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rsundarrajan/

r.sundar@onemyle.com


Behind every line of code, there's a person with a story. Software People Stories, from PM Power Consulting, moves beyond abstract theory and polished case studies to explore the real, human experience of building technology. This isn't about hypotheticals; it's a collection of candid conversations with the practitioners themselves-developers, designers, product managers, and architects-who share firsthand accounts from the trenches. They talk about the paths that led to success and, just as importantly, the unexpected detours and failures that provided the most valuable lessons. Each episode delves into the nuanced journey of discovering what users need, designing elegant systems, navigating complex development, and ultimately delivering solutions that matter. By focusing on these personal narratives, the podcast reveals the core of software creation: a blend of technical skill, creative problem-solving, and team dynamics. Listeners gain practical wisdom and relatable perspectives on the challenges and triumphs inherent in the tech industry. Tune in for an honest look at the craft, where the stories of people are just as crucial as the software they build. You'll find this podcast a refreshing source of insight for anyone involved in or curious about the technology and business landscapes, offering career lessons learned the hard way.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Software People Stories
Podcast Episodes
Maintaining Composure, being productive with Ben Johnson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:21
I continue my conversation with Ben Johnson, the CEO of Particle 41, a company that provides fractional CTO services, software development, data science, data engineering, and AI solutionsIn this part, Ben talks about:Th…
Building a strong team culture with Ben Johnson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:07
I am in conversation with Ben Johnson, the CEO of Particle 41, a company that provides fractional CTO services, software development, data science, data engineering, and AI solutionsSome of the highlights from the conver…
Collaborating teams with Douglas Ferguson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:33
I continue my conversation with Douglas Ferguson, an entrepreneur and human-centered technologist. He is the president of Voltage Control, a facilitation academy that develops leaders through various programs.In this par…
Leadership lessons with Douglas Ferguson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:06
I am in conversation with Douglas Ferguson. Douglas is an entrepreneur and human-centered technologist. He is the president of Voltage Control, a facilitation academy that develops leaders through various programs.In thi…
Working with the Government with Karthik Viswanathan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:31
I continue my conversation with Karthik Viswanathan, the President of Ochyo Inc, a consulting firm that specializes in serving State & Local governments around strategy development, technology enablement and business pro…
IT solutions in the Government with Karthik Viswanathan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:46
I am in conversation with Karthik Viswanathan, the President of Ochyo Inc, a consulting firm that specializes in serving State & Local governments around strategy development, technology enablement and business process o…
Entrepreneurship with Ravi Krishnappa [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:56
Sivaguru continues the conversation with Ravi Krishnappa, managing partner at July Ventures.In this part, he shares his thoughts as belowEmphasizes that his curiosity drives him to understand new concepts deeply, particu…
Being insanely curious with Ravi Krishnappa [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:01
Sivaguru is in conversation with Ravi Krishnappa, managing partner at July Ventures. He talks aboutHow he Started as a mechanical engineer and ERP consultant, then co-founded Accel Venture Partners and Inatech. Transitio…
One Company careers with Gunaseelan Narayanan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:07
This marks 300 episodes of the Software People Stories. The journey has been very enriching. But more of that, in a few weeks, when we complete six years of the podcast.In addition, the guest today is a person who has be…
Growing as a leader with Gunaseelan Narayanan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:48
This is a special episode for me, personally.This marks 300 episodes of the Software People Stories. The journey has been very enriching. But more of that, in a few weeks, when we complete six years of the podcast.In add…