My greatest fear is not living up to my full potential - Mukesh Bansal
Mukesh Bansal is known for startups that have made history. This 42-year-old entrepreneur was the brain behind Myntra, which began as a gifting platform and went on to become the biggest online fashion shopping platform in the country. Post its acquisition by Flipkart, Mukesh left Myntra to start up again - this time in the health and fitness industry. He co-founded Curefit, which has already established itself in the sector since its launch in 2016.
YourStory caught up with him with questions that were anything but business.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Doing what I enjoy - when it does not feel like I am working at all and especially when it adds up to something meaningful over time
What is your greatest fear?
Not living up to my full potential
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Talking negatively about people who are not in the room
Which living person do you most admire?
Jeff Bezos
What is your greatest extravagance?
Working out for 3-4 hours
What is your current state of mind?
Calm
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Being rich
On what occasion do you lie?
When it is convenient
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
My posture
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In the ultra competitive startup world, there is no option but to remain fighting fit
Which living person do you despise most?
Can’t answer
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Humility and honesty
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Humility
Which words or phrases do you overuse?
Absolutely
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My kids
When and where were you happiest?
Right now, as I am ever
Which talent would you most like to have?
Painting. I have tried it, but I am not very good at it
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would start up at 20 (I waited till I was 32)
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Being able to be true to myself over the last 10 years. I do what I like to do. I speak my mind freely
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
Myself. I have enjoyed my life and I have been very lucky. I don’t mind living the same life again
Where would you most like to live?
Bay Area, California
What is your most treasured possession?
My collection of books
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Trying to live someone else’s life
What is your favourite occupation?
Being an entrepreneur
What is your most marked characteristic?
What I think is on my face
What do you most value in your friends?
Honesty and transparency
Who is your favourite writer?
Jared Diamond
Who is your fictional hero?
Keeps changing
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
I take inspiration from Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi, and Leonardo Da Vinci. But I don’t identify with anyone
Who are your heroes in real life?
Noone in specific, but anyone who dares to chase their dreams and have good values
What are your favourite names?
My children’s names – Avni, which means earth, and Arnav, which means ocean
What is it that you dislike the most?
Disconnect between what you want to do and actions which are counter productive
What is your greatest regret?
Nothing, really
How would you like to die?
I don’t want to die
What is your motto?
Be noble, for you are made of stars. Be humble, for you are made of earth. It brings perspective