"First build a ‘Dhandha’ mindset," says Anupam Mittal, advising youth to sell first, then learn how industries make real money

Anupam Mittal has recently shared valuable advice for young founders and professionals looking to build strong business instincts. 

In a LinkedIn post, the Shaadi.com founder reflected on his early entrepreneurial experiments and explained why mastering sales and understanding finance are the two most important steps in developing what he calls a true “Dhandha” mindset.

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Start selling early to build the Dhanda Mindset 

Mittal believes that business acumen begins with the ability to sell. Reflecting on his teenage years, he wrote, 

“At 13, I thought renting books would make me rich. At 16, I tried to build a sports club.” 

Though most of his early ventures failed, each one taught him something vital about persuasion, negotiation and influence. He explained that these experiences built his survival instincts and helped him understand people better. 

“That’s why I tell young founders and professionals → start selling early,” he shared. 

Whether it is a product, a project, or even selling yourself for a job, Mittal believes these experiences sharpen business instincts in ways no classroom can.

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Finance Teaches Where the Real Money Is

But according to Mittal, selling alone is not enough. To truly understand business, one must learn how industries make money. He recommends young professionals take up roles in finance, especially Equity Analysis or Investment Banking. 

“Finance strips away the romance of ‘disruption’ and shows you the raw truth — where margins lie, where capital flows, and where profit pools actually sit,” he explained.

He believes that too many operators get caught up in their own stories and forget that every industry has its own economics. Understanding these fundamentals helps entrepreneurs stay grounded and build sustainable ventures.

For Mittal, “Dhandha” is not something that can be taught in classrooms. It is shaped by real-world experience, the grind of selling, and the discipline of numbers. 

His message to aspiring business leaders is clear: “Sell something. Anything. Then spend a year or two learning how industries really make money.”

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