No MBA Needed: Anupam Mittal Shares the Only 2 Skills That Truly Matter for Startup Success
Anupam Mittal Shares 2 “Superpowers” Every Entrepreneur Needs — And They’re Surprisingly Simple
In a time when social media glorifies “overnight success” and college students are building startups from their dorms, one question keeps popping up: What does it really take to become a successful entrepreneur?
According to Anupam Mittal, founder of Shaadi.com and a well-known judge on Shark Tank India, the answer isn’t complicated. In fact, it boils down to just two powerful skills.
In a recent LinkedIn post, Mittal revealed what he calls the two entrepreneurial superpowers that anyone—student, side hustler, or seasoned professional—needs to develop to thrive in the startup world.
Spoiler: it’s not about having a fancy MBA, a perfect business plan, or loads of funding.
The 2 Skills That Make Entrepreneurs Unbeatable
1. Selling — The Power of Convincing Others to Believe
“If you can’t sell, it’s going to be a long and lonely ride,” Mittal wrote. And no, he doesn’t mean just pushing a product to a customer.
Selling, according to Mittal, is the ability to get people to believe in your vision, long before it becomes a reality. It’s about:
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Convincing talented people to join your risky mission
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Getting investors to fund your untested ideas
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Persuading customers to trust an unknown product or brand
Selling, at its core, is about belief, persuasion, and storytelling. And while many people shy away from it because they see it as “sleazy” or “pushy,” Mittal flips that mindset entirely.
“Sales isn’t sleazy. It’s survival.”
– Anupam Mittal
Why This Matters
Even the best product in the world will fail if no one knows about it or believes in it. Mittal emphasizes that the ability to sell your vision, your product, and yourself is what separates winners from wannabes.
2. Building — The Grit to Solve Real Problems
While selling is loud and visible, building is often the quiet grind that happens behind the scenes.
To build, as Mittal explains, means focusing deeply on one problem, for a long time, while everyone around you thinks you’re wasting your time.
“To build is to focus on one thing for a long time… while everyone around you thinks you’ve lost it.”
– Anupam Mittal
This doesn’t mean you need to be a techie or a coder. Building is about:
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Solving a real pain point
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Staying committed through setbacks
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Improving constantly, even when no one is watching
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Having the patience to grow something from scratch
Why These Skills Matter Beyond Startups
What makes Mittal’s advice even more powerful is that he doesn’t limit it to aspiring startup founders. These two “superpowers” — selling and building — are essential life skills.
They can help:
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Students figure out what they’re passionate about and turn that into something real
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Working professionals navigate their careers more effectively by becoming better communicators and problem-solvers
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Side hustlers turn passion projects into profitable ventures
In short, anyone can benefit by mastering these two fundamental skills.
“You master these two? You become unbeatable.”
– Anupam Mittal
No “Perfect Time” — Just Start
Anupam Mittal also emphasized another key idea: there’s no “right time” to start your journey.
Don’t wait for the perfect co-founder, the best pitch deck, or a fat investor cheque.
“You start learning. You start selling. You start building. The rest will follow.”
– Anupam Mittal
Key Takeaways from Anupam Mittal’s Entrepreneurial Advice
| Skill | What It Means | Why It’s a Superpower |
|---|---|---|
| Selling | Convincing others to believe in your idea, join your team, or buy your product | Without this, your startup stays invisible |
| Building | Focusing deeply on solving a real problem for a long time | This is what brings your vision to life |
Why This Advice Stands Out
Anupam Mittal’s approach strips entrepreneurship down to the basics. In a world overwhelmed by pitch competitions, startup jargon, and viral funding stories, his message is refreshingly honest.
You don’t need perfection. You need belief, persistence, and the willingness to do the work—whether anyone else understands it yet or not.
So, if you’ve ever dreamed of launching something of your own, start by learning to sell your idea and building something that solves a real problem. The rest, as Mittal says, will follow
