2 CEOs vs 2 GEN Zs | The Bridge S1E4: Is Entrepreneurship in India Still Worth It?

2 CEOs vs 2 GEN Zs | The Bridge S1E4: Is Entrepreneurship in India Still Worth It?

Author: The BarberShop with Shantanu June 20, 2025 Duration: 28:20

Is Startup a real problem-solver or just a way out of toxic jobs?

For next-gen, it’s the real escape from 9-to-5s and societal expectations. But as startup culture grows louder, are the deeper motivations being overlooked?

In this episode of The Bridge, Shantanu hosts a multi-generational roundtable with industry veterans, Abhijeet Dabas (Nykaafashion Executive VP & Business Head - Fashion) and Ankush Grover (Rebel Foods - Co-Founder & CEO), who unpack what decades in finance and leadership have taught them. From the other side, Vidit Dugar (Chief of Staff at Bombay Shaving Company), and Akansha Padmane (Final-year Undergraduate at IIT Bombay), representing the Gen Z lens, question whether the facade of hustle culture hides the harsher reality.

Together, they debate on:

1.⁠ ⁠If startups are driven by purpose or frustration

2.⁠ ⁠Why bad jobs often spark better ideas, Gen Z redefines

3.⁠ ⁠How ‘act like an owner’ mindset wins the game, with zero funding

4.⁠ ⁠Why failure might open more doors than success, Founders decoded.

If you’ve ever thought, “Should I just leave everything and start up?”, this conversation is a must-watch.

🎧 Watch now to hear both sides and determine if Entrepreneurship is still worth the hype.


Step into a space where business talk feels less like a lecture and more like a conversation happening in the back of a classic barbershop. The BarberShop with Shantanu is built on that exact feeling-a place for honest, meandering, and deeply insightful dialogues about the real journey of building something. Host Shantanu, who founded Bombay Shaving Company and Bombae, doesn't just interview guests; he engages in a form of mutual mentorship, drawing on his own experiences to unpack the stories, struggles, and small victories that define entrepreneurship. Each episode feels like a candid exchange, stripping away the polished veneer often found in business media to explore how ideas actually take root and flourish. You'll hear from a variety of voices navigating their own hustles, with conversations that naturally touch on strategy, personal growth, and the often-overlooked human elements behind the brands. This podcast thrives on the free flow of genuine perspective, offering listeners not just lessons, but a sense of camaraderie. It’s a platform dedicated to growth, framed through storytelling that’s as much about the missteps as the milestones. Tune in for a regular dose of reflection and practical wisdom, all shared with the ease of a good chat.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The BarberShop with Shantanu
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