“Never Underestimate the Power of Interns” - Repos Energy Founder

Founded by Pune-based couple Chetan Walunj and Aditi Walunj, Repos Energy is changing the energy distribution game in India. 

The duo has figured out an easy and convenient way of delivering fuel that helps housing societies, construction sites, infrastructure projects, manufacturing plants, and hospitals. 

Startup Pedia covered their full startup story in an earlier article.

We also sat down with Aditi Walunj and discussed Repos Energy’s ethics, the culture at their startup office, and what the founders personally believe in. 

This is an extract from the same conversation:

1- While what Repos Energy does is groundbreaking to say the least, how do you address the dangers associated with fuel delivery? 

Aditi: You must've seen aircrafts getting refueled outside airports, right? The safety standards and procedures that airlines adhere to, Repos Energy adheres to the same. We are approved by all oil marketing companies. There hasn't been a single episode of spillage or accident since we began. 

2- Repos Energy is a Ratan Tata-funded startup. Tell us one of the best things about him. How do you think he was different from the Ambanis?

Ratan Tata sir, God rest his soul, is by far the most approachable and warm person I've met in business circles. Both me and Chetan were always left awestruck when we met him. He acted as a mentor too, and pushed us in the right direction. 

I haven't really met the Ambanis but I know that the Tatas and Ambanis are very different from each other. 

3- What does the office culture at Repos Energy look like? 

I've always believed that office culture is a reflection of the founders. It's a controversial statement, but I do not necessarily believe in work-life balance. Now that's not to say that we expect people to work their lives away. 

What I mean is that the term ‘work-life balance' seems to separate work and life, and often pits them against each other. So I and Chetan have tried to introduce ‘work-life integration’ at the Repos Energy office. Our team begins their day by a journaling activity. They are able to clear their heads and plan their days better. We also have employee wellness coaches who visit regularly and counsel people, as and when required. Work and life then become things that can coexist in harmony. 

4- What are your views on hustle culture?

Whatever sails your boat, honestly. I and Chetan treat Repos Energy as our baby - we haven't done any office jobs prior to this. We are learning while running the startup. And yes, there's a lot of hustle involved. Some days, we work longer hours and don't have time for anything else. But because our relationship is linked to a higher purpose, we understand each other. 

5- How do you push your team to be motivated?

Earlier when we started, I'll have to admit, I and Chetan expected our team to replicate the same energy that we were bringing to the table. But now we've had a change of perspective. Your startup is your baby, not someone else's. You cannot expect someone else to put in the same work you're putting in. For other people, it's just a job. And you must respect their boundaries. 

As long as the team is delivering the required output and is aligned with the greater vision of the company, it's all good. We also have a culture of celebration here, so that helps a lot.  Small wins, big wins - everything is celebrated. Even if someone quits, we also bid them goodbye with grace and celebration. 

6- A lot of freshers complain that companies want experienced people to join them, but they cannot get experience without joining a company. This paradoxical nature of the job market is concerning. What are your views on it? Has Repos Energy ever hired interns?

You're not going to believe it, but Repos Energy was built by interns and freshers right out of college. Negligible to zero work experience. 

When we began, we didn't have many people believe in us. So our only option was to take in freshers - and they were more than just excited to join us. For them, it was a new territory. I and Chetan worked with a bunch of interns, held long brainstorming sessions, and ultimately designed the entire business model. We're eventually going to hit the Rs 200 crore revenue mark in FY25 - and these interns have been the building blocks of such milestones. 

7- So are they all still there at the company?

Of course. They now hold key level positions at Repos Energy. They're kind of like the founding team. 

8- Talking about interns, what are the kind of resumes that you immediately reject?

A major red flag for me is when there's a lot of boasting in the resume. Exaggerated claims of work done and the impact that it had is very clear. People think employers wouldn't know, but we can almost always see through a resume. And if not, the final interview brings everything in the open. Countless times I've seen that people do not fit the standard their resume had sent. Other times, their resume didn't do them enough justice and they were far more capable and experienced in real life. 

9- Do you think people can date, have friends, and also start a startup? A lot of entrepreneurship circles promote the idea of isolation. 

I wouldn't call it isolation, honestly. It's tunnel vision that is promoted. And I agree with it. When you're building something from scratch, you do need a certain level of madness. And the ability to distance yourself from people and events that'll ultimately distract you. I also don't think it's possible for an early-stage founder to date people, go out every weekend, and build their company alongside. Startup owners are always on the clock. Luckily in my case, Chetan is building the same thing, so we don't really struggle with this and are connected on a different level. 

10- Bhavish Aggarwal of Ola says that weekends are a foreign thing. What do you have to say about it? 

People are not robots. They need time to reboot. Doing away with weekends will be a nightmare for everyone. Yes, people should give their 100% from Monday to Friday, but the weekends should be reserved for them and their personal life.

11- What's the biggest reason why startups fail?

People fail when they start a startup only for the badge of honour and glory that they think it comes with. They're met with a rude shock when they realize that 90% of the work involves solving real problems, implementation, handling rejections, learning, unlearning, managing different people and their emotions - and somehow keeping sane while doing all of it. So if someone is building for the sake of ego and self-satisfaction, don't. 

12- Thousands of UPSC aspirants spend year after year giving attempts and failing. Then they're unsuitable for the job market because it demands skills. What would you tell students?

A lot of people don't know I have also given a UPSC attempt. But I couldn't crack it - which is fine. Moving on is important, but what's more important is to identify when to move on. Staying in the same place for more than three years is something I wouldn't advise. Three attempts and then you should pack up, and think of alternative options. A lot of students give this exam with a very pure ethos of service to the nation. Trust me, there are hundreds of options and channels where you can serve the country. You only need to step out once and stop being so hard on yourself.

13- What is the one trend in entrepreneurship that you're excited about?

As our Prime Minister puts it, the idea of Viksit Bharat. Entrepreneurship in India has a lot of potential to solve real problems in the country and contribute towards its aggressive development. And young people will be the face of it. That's what I am excited about.