Partha Unnava on Launching a New Venture | Startups.com

Partha Unnava is the CEO of Better Walk, a company focused on developing a new type of crutch that improves the experience of a crutch user. Partha broke his ankle and had to hobble around on crutches for six weeks, he decided to develop a better set of crutches that wouldn’t kill his armpits. I spoke to Partha about his experiences launching the venture and his journey as an entrepreneur.

Determination

Q: What are some challenges you faced when developing your venture?

I’ve faced issues from cofounders leaving the company to fluctuations in funding and flat out denials from investors. I think I’ve been through almost every single up or down you can go through when you start a company, but I learned that the only limiting factor is the information you choose to let slow you down. Every negative along the path is just a piece of information for you to consider, but you ultimately have to trust your gut and the market.

Q: Was there any point when you thought it was over? That you were going to fail?

We were all set to start manufacturing and all of a sudden, right after we had wired over money, the manufacturer said the quote was incorrect and they had forgotten to quote us for a pair of crutches and had instead quoted a single crutch. Our manufacturing cost on the revised quote was higher than we could sell for, and I figured we were sunk. Luckily, we hustled and looked all over for a new manufacturer, and found someone far more qualified to make our product who has become a true partner in the business.

Flexibility

Q: As an entrepreneur how important has flexibility been in developing your venture?

I think the ability to adapt to new circumstances is important, but not only adapting, but not being emotionally attached to the previous set of circumstances. Many people end up in a new situation but lament because they miss the old one, but ultimately, you are where you are, and you have to make the most of it. No matter what.

Imagination

Q: What was was your spark, where did it come from?

A desire to do something meaningful with my life. When I die, I want to look back and say I did something impactful, and that I actually affected people. In terms of starting my business, the idea came from an ankle injury playing basketball, but at the end of the day, I always knew I was going to do something different, I just didn’t know what.

Q. What are your non-work habits that help you with your work-life balance?

Lots of working out. I meditate, I do audiobooks now which have been surprisingly relaxing, and I do NOT talk about work if I can avoid it. I love playing sports, I play basketball and golf a lot.

Q. What is your best tip for entrepreneurs?

Don’t do it unless you really want to do it, and don’t stop once you start. It might not be a particular company or idea, but you should never quit on your dreams. You have it in you to be great, it’s just not gonna be comfortable on the way there.

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Also shared on InTheirShoes.ca.