Blending seems to come naturally for Harshit Gohil. The dynamic co-founder of 365veda – an Ayurceutical company that blends ancient Ayurveda with modern innovations in nutraceuticals and artificial intelligence (AI) – stresses that 365veda is empowering people to take control of their health every single day.

An alumnus of XLRI Jamshedpur, Mr Gohil has a PGDM in business management with a focus on data science and marketing. It was here that he began exploring the intersection of Ayurveda and AI, which finally led to 365veda.

Mr Gohil began his career with his family venture, Gohil Ayurved. Scaling up the family venture, he turned his company’s medicines and healthcare products into a household name across the eastern part of India. He also founded goHop (formerly Hoppr), India’s first AI-enabled shuttle service app which was incubated by Google for entrepreneurs, in 2015.

Regulatory hurdles forced goHop to shut down early. Yet, the experience there gave him hands-on insight into building from scratch, scaling up technology and startup resilience lessons that, he says, still guide him even today.

Beyond business, Mr Gohil actively mentors fellow founders on financial modelling, branding and digital transformation. When he is not building wellness brands, he is likely to be on a basketball court or cheering fellow entrepreneurs through the ups and downs of startup life. Sharmila Chand meets up with Mr Gohil and is fascinated to know about his management principles and practices that have aided him through thick and thin of life.  

Your five management mantras

·         Plan thoroughly, but execute with urgency. The real magic happens when you move fast on a well-thought-out plan.

·         Empathy is powerful. Understanding people and what drives them goes a long way in building trust and performance.

·         Business is all about relationships. If you nurture the right ones, everything else tends to align.

·         Your energy shapes the environment around you. I make it a point to show up with positivity and enthusiasm.

·         Money is not always the fix. Sometimes, thinking creatively brings better results than throwing resources at a problem.

A game that helps your career
Basketball has always been my sport. The game is fast-paced, and you are constantly moving, thinking and reacting. It sharpens your instincts and decision-making. It also teaches teamwork like nothing else.

A turning point in your career
Quitting CA just a month before my finals was a big call. But I knew deep down that I was not meant for that path. That moment pushed me into the world of entrepreneurship and laid the foundation for everything that came after.

A person you admire
My father – he has been showing up to work daily for more than 33 years. He has retained 80 per cent of his team since day one. He started with a Rs 60,000 loan and quietly built assets worth several crores. More importantly, his values are rock solid. He pays everyone on time, never cut corners and never breaks trust. That is the kind of business legacy I want to build.

Best advice you have received
Business is not a three- to five-year project. If you are in it, be ready to give 15 to 20 years with compromises, setbacks and sacrifices. That advice has really shaped my mindset.

Your philosophy of work
Keep your head down, and do the work. I do not believe in making noise about it. Let your work speak. And eventually, it does.

How has the journey been so far?
It has been tough and no sugarcoating it. I have made my share of expensive mistakes, but the learning that came from them has been invaluable. You learn faster and deeper when the stakes are high.

Your favourite books
The Circle of Reason by Amitav Ghosh is a long-time favourite. I had read it in my late teens, and it has stayed with me ever since. It is a story of resilience, and the writing is powerful. Among business books, Zero to One by Peter Thiel still stands out. It has shifted the way I think about building something original.

Your fitness routine
My day starts between 5 and 6 am, and that has been the case for almost two decades. That one habit gives me time to focus on fitness before the day gets crazy. I stick to simple basics like no smoking, no alcohol, mostly home food and very limited junk. I rotate between swimming, cricket, basketball and badminton. I have always been into endurance sports, but now I am working more on strength and muscle fitness for long-term health.

How do you handle stress?
Meditation helps. I have been a part of Heartfulness since 2016, and it has changed how I react to situations. I used to be short-tempered and very reactive. But now I pause, breathe and respond.

·        Your five business mantras
     Do not give up too early: There is a lot of hype around “fail fast”. But I believe in giving your idea a real shot. If something is not working, pause, rework, ask for help, and come back stronger.

·         Choose your circle carefully: Surround yourself with people who are driven, ethical and long-term in their approach. It makes all the difference.

·         Observe more than you speak: People reveal a lot through small cues. I have found observation to be a powerful decision-making tool.

·         Give without expecting: Whether it is time, effort or help, give first. It creates real, lasting goodwill.

·         Keep working hard: Success may come easily to some, but if it does not, hard work is your biggest ally. Patience + hustle = progress.

The secret of your success
I would not call myself successful just yet, as there is a long way to go. But I do have a clear vision, a committed team and the will to keep building. I think staying consistent over the years is what really moves the needle.

What message on management would you like to give young people?
Start building your network early. Do not wait till college or jobs. Learn how to express your thoughts through writing, speaking or videos. And take initiative, be the one to raise your hand, ask a question, or take the lead. It will build your confidence and your leadership muscle.