Achieving the Impossible Through Dedication and Decisiveness | Palash Arneja

• • Palash grew up in a middle-class Indian family and he used his resources wisely to achieve success.
  • His aspiration to create an application to facilitate networking for the masses.
  • Palash offers valuable insights into dedication and the essentials for entrepreneurial success.

1. What was your childhood like? What shaped you into the person you are today?

I grew up in a typical middle-class family where every rupee was hard-earned, and nothing came easy. But my parents ensured that I received the best education possible. They taught me the value of hard work and making the most of the opportunity’s life gives you.  After high school, I gravitated towards science but ultimately pursued commerce due to my parents’ suggestion of becoming a chartered accountant– a practical choice given our financial situation.

At 21, I cleared the ICAI exams in just two months of intense preparation. That achievement was a significant turning point—it wasn’t just about the qualification; it was about proving to myself that with enough determination, I could achieve anything.  Following this, I joined the Pune branch of the Indian Swiss Bank as a risk reporter. I held this position for a year and a half before moving back to my hometown, Gurgaon. Then I joined HSBC Bank as a risk reporter and investment banker. 

These experiences were invaluable—they gave me a front-row seat to how companies work and how people think in the corporate world. Now I wanted to understand people better and make a real impact. So, I joined Deloitte, where I eventually led a team of 700 people. Seeking to broaden my horizons, I switched to consulting and joined Deloitte. As a part of the Big Four, I led a team of 700 people.  It was here that I truly honed my leadership skills, learning how to navigate both people and complex problems—which later became crucial in building Unikon.ai.

2. Did you have a mentor in your life? What was the biggest contribution they made in your life?

If I were to consider someone my mentor, it would be Aakash Anand, the founder of Bellavita. He has been my friend for more than 4 years now, and I refer to him as “Bhaiyya” since. During our time working together, we came across an article that changed the trajectory of our lives.

The article highlighted LinkedIn’s low response rate, a shocking 1.5 percent, which made us realize how many professionals out there feel lost while seeking career advice. They send out countless messages, hoping for a mentor to guide them, but those messages go unanswered.  As the conversation progressed, we realized the severity of the issue; a big problem that needed solving

It was a moment of clarity. I knew that I had to act, and so, without overthinking, I quit my job. It was a leap of faith, driven by a desire to solve a problem that I felt deeply connected to. That’s the biggest contribution Bhaiyya made to my life. He helped me see the potential for something greater and gave me the courage to pursue it.

3. What are some characteristics you think are necessary in order to be successful in any venture?

I believe that dedication to one’s goals is the most important characteristic a person has to have in order to succeed in life. It’s about fully immersing yourself in your goals, living, breathing and manifesting them every day.

Another characteristic that I consider essential in all ventures is understanding the customers and addressing their needs. You have to engage with them, really listen to what they need, and then innovate your products and services to meet those needs. This not only helps in retaining customers but also attracts new ones, creating a loyal community around your brand. You have to care about your customers.

4. How do you manage to strike a balance between your professional & personal life?

I believe that the conventional idea of work-life balance can sometimes limit both personal and professional growth. When you set strict boundaries for work, rest, and family time, it might indicate that you’re not fully invested in your goals.

I don’t believe in maintaining work-life balance and prefer to immerse myself fully. During my time building Unikon, I gave it my all, and sometimes even worked for a full 24-hours. This might seem intense to those unfamiliar with building a company from the ground up, but when you have something that you are committed to, you work selflessly on it.

Of course, I understand the importance of taking breaks to avoid burnout. When needed, I love hitting the road for a long drive, with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s music playing in the background. It’s my way of clearing my mind and coming back even stronger.

5. What do you plan to achieve in the upcoming years?

Unikon.ai’s primary focus is facilitating meaningful connections between individuals seeking advice and those qualified to provide it. Over the next year, the platform will prioritize building a strong network to ensure users can easily find the guidance they need. We want Unikon.ai to be the first-place people think of when they need support.

 Following this, our plan is to expand globally, using a US-to-India model to specifically address the critical need for affordable mental health services.  

Individuals who require mental assistance often don’t get it due to a lack of financial resources, and getting a therapist can cost hundreds of dollars. Unikon.ai aims to bridge this gap by providing accessible and affordable mental health support.  A lower price range will also allow people to go through their options and receive the help they deserve, regardless of financial constraints.

6. What advice would you give to leaders who are planning to go into entrepreneurship?

As someone who resigned from a job the day, I had a solid idea for what I wanted to do, my biggest advice would be to not rely on a Plan B.I believe that having a Plan B can hold back your growth, as it shifts your focus away from fully committing to Plan A. A person who is approaching entrepreneurship should do so with a clear and decisive mindset with the will to give it their all.

Another piece of advice I’d offer from my experience is to never leave things half-finished. Building a business is a slow process, and it can feel overwhelming at times, but quitting should never be an option. If you’ve decided that starting a business is what you want to do, then you need to be consistent and resilient, facing both the highs and lows along the way.

I often liken the entrepreneurial journey to swimming across a water body. If you want to reach the other side, you have to stay calm and maintain a steady rhythm. Panicking or thrashing around will only cause you to drown. If a person approaches their goal with a sound mind, they are bound to reach it.

Palash provides an experienced and refined perspective on how dedication and decisiveness are foundational to business success. His approach towards problem solving showcases the significance of commitment and provides a balanced view on how to succeed in life.