The journey from survival to scalability is one that many founders grapple with, but according to Hari Menon, Co-founder and CEO of bigbasket, embracing a scaling mindset early can make all the difference. As quick commerce becomes a cornerstone of India’s retail transformation, Menon shares insights into how businesses can thrive under mounting pressures.
“The biggest mistake founders make? It’s not scaling with their business,” Menon remarks. In the early days, the focus is on staying afloat, but he believes the moment growth potential becomes evident, the approach must evolve. “Scaling becomes a mindset shift, not just a business tactic. It’s a daily commitment to outgrow yesterday’s thinking.”
For bigbasket, the challenge of rapid growth in quick commerce offered key lessons. “When we started growing rapidly, the pressure was immense. But instead of getting bogged down in the frenzy, we learned to think differently. Rather than putting out fires, we focused on building the firehouse,” Menon recalls.
This strategic shift has paid off. "Today, when we launch in a new city, it doesn’t take a month to get operational. We’re ready to go in a week, sometimes even less," he notes. Menon emphasises that this level of efficiency isn’t serendipity but the result of intentional preparation and forward-thinking.
He encourages founders to embrace scalability as a daily discipline. “Scaling isn’t a scary leap but a series of intentional, everyday decisions. You have to be prepared to meet your business at its next level—mentally and operationally,” he advises.
For Menon, the key to sustained momentum lies in thinking scale with every decision—be it systems, processes, or talent. “Train yourself to think scale. That’s how you keep moving forward. That’s how you stay in the game,” he concludes.
