If you’re not the customer, don’t build it: Paytm's Vijay Shekhar Sharma

Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma was ranked as India’s youngest billionaire with a net worth of $2.1 billion by the Forbes magazine in 2017.

VSS, as he is fondly called in the startup ecosystem, made a beginning by borrowing Rs 8 lakh to set up One97 during the dotcom boom, and went on to build a multi-billion dollar business empire. 

Today, some of the world’s biggest investors like Alibaba, ANT Financial, SoftBank, and Berkshire Hathaway are vying to invest in Paytm.

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As his venture takes the slogan of ‘Paytm Karo’ to Japan, VSS has his eyes set on listing Paytm on the stock exchanges.

VSS has been a source of inspiration for budding entrepreneurs with his quotable quotient. 

Here are some of his quotes.

“There are two kinds of companies in the world: One, who build, and two, who buy.”

“When you are hiring, hire them for your vision. Tell them what dream you have and the like-minded will get attracted to it and will join you.”

“If you’re up against a big guy, ignore the big guy.”

“The problem with big guys is that they’re not hustlers.”

“As unique you are, you’re part of a crowd.”

“You are what your situations make you.”

“Searching for a business model is equivalent to searching for God.” 

“As soon as you have a fixed business model, you are destined for death.”

“If you’re not the customer, don’t build it.”

“Today, you can build anything in India. If you’re an Indian entrepreneur, you get a meeting with any investor in the world.”

"If you don't give yourself a chance, who will? If you don't take a chance, who will?And I think you should take a chance on you."

(Edited by Javed Gaihlot