My journey with YK was not a typical one. Entrepreneurs with less experience benefit from strategies for quick wins and turnarounds. But I needed a sounding board at a much higher level.
I am a firm believer that we are made of our choices. And all choices are guided by thinking. No matter the depth of our knowledge and experience, we need someone to participate with us in our thought experiments. We already do this with our team members, investors, or even family members. But, unlike YK, they aren’t dedicated to the art of thinking and problem-solving as a discipline. Just like Olympic athletes need coaches, entrepreneurs need mentors like him. (Though I consider him my friend.)
YK earned my respect not just because he was unafraid to ask questions or point to the elephants in the room, but because his thinking was based on deep knowledge and sound logic. Unlike others, he doesn’t push stale formulas or narrow-minded viewpoints on you. Part of this comes from his exposure to diverse industries in varied geographies. The other comes from his exceptional understanding of how people and businesses connect.
You see, personal and business evolution can never be compartmentalized. They need to be in harmony as we develop our unique templates and formulas for growth. For this, we need to understand our building blocks, play to our strengths without ignoring our weaknesses, and never lose sight of the big picture. We can attempt this on our own, but how much better is the journey if we find someone like YK!
RAJ PYLA
Chairman & M.D.
Ben Franklin Opticians
