Entrepreneurship

Introducing Grit & Growth

Meet entrepreneurs from emerging markets as they share stories of trial and triumph.

April 09, 2021

In this new podcast from Stanford Graduate School of Business, travel across Africa and South Asia to meet some of the regions’ most intrepid entrepreneurs.

Host Darius Teter also interviews Stanford University faculty and global business experts who provide insights, guidance, and practical tips on how to transform today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities.

From securing investment and planning family succession to mindful leadership and managing in adversity, you’ll learn firsthand from entrepreneurs and experts how to develop the grit you need to grow your business — in times of crisis and calm. Walk away with actionable information, new perspectives, and fresh inspiration.

Listeners can also take a deep dive into entrepreneurship with masterclass episodes featuring interviews with Stanford faculty and global experts. It’s a unique opportunity to hear about cutting-edge research, get practical business tips, and learn proven leadership strategies from some of the world’s leading thinkers and practitioners.

About The Host: Darius Teter is executive director of Stanford Seed, a Stanford Graduate School of Business initiative that partners with entrepreneurs in emerging markets to build thriving enterprises that transform lives. Darius has held leadership positions at Oxfam America, the Asian Development Bank and with the US. Government where his experience included advising governments on economic policy, developing human rights programming, and financing infrastructure megaprojects across Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Full Transcript

Darius Teter: Entrepreneurship is tough. The highs are high, but the lows can be devastating. And they say it takes a decade to become an overnight success. But where there’s challenge, there’s opportunity. And for entrepreneurs in Africa and South Asia, these can be the defining moments of their lives and businesses.

Arun Iyer: I was desperate and they knew it, and they immediately took advantage of it. But I learned my lesson to never be on the back foot ever again.

Farad Ramji: I think one of the hardest things I had to do was let go of, I think it was 170 people.

Likitha Maddukuri: I have learned to be comfortable with the fact that, yes, I’m a woman. Yes, I’m in agribusiness. Yes, it’s unusual. Yes, it is a challenge. But, well, we are here so you might as well make the best of it.

Darius Teter: Welcome to Grit and Growth with Stanford Graduate School of Business. We bring you stories from Africa and South Asia’s intrepid entrepreneurs, along with insights and guidance from Stanford University faculty and global experts on how to overcome challenges and grow your business.

Leah Weiss: A self-critical mind is a threat-focused mind.

Zach George: I think founders that are intellectually curious about business, work and life appeal to me.

Baba Shiv: The survival of the company in the long haul never, ever comes from sticking to the status quo.

Darius Teter: I’m Darius Teter, and I’ll be bringing you into the thick of it as we cover everything from securing investment to planning for family succession, mindful leadership, and thriving through a crisis. You’ll walk away with actionable information, new perspectives, and fresh inspiration to take your business to the next level, even when the world seems uncertain and chaotic. There’s never been a more crucial time to elevate your business. So follow Grit and Growth for new episodes coming soon. See you then.

Grit & Growth is a podcast produced by Stanford Seed, an institute at Stanford Graduate School of Business which partners with entrepreneurs in emerging markets to build thriving enterprises that transform lives.

Hear these entrepreneurs’ stories of trial and triumph, and gain insights and guidance from Stanford University faculty and global business experts on how to transform today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities.

For media inquiries, visit the Newsroom.

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