Pranav Piyush, CEO and Co-Founder of Paramark, shares the moments that shaped his journey from scaling a YC startup to facing a co-founder breakup and battling imposter syndrome while fundraising. He reflects on the tough feedback that shook his confidence at Dropbox, the mindset shifts that kept him moving forward, and why resilience isn’t just about working harder, it’s about trusting your instincts, staying clear-eyed under pressure, and embracing the uncomfortable moments that lead to real growth.
Pranav opens up about:
- The wake-up call that forced him to rethink how he navigated internal politics
- How his first startup experience ended in heartbreak but led to an even bigger opportunity
- Why founders need a “reality distortion field” to sell their vision
Things to listen for: (00:00) Pranav discusses his experience with YC and an unexpected rift with his co-founder (03:39) Developing persuasive skills through debate and their benefits in tech leadership (06:29) The accidental start of an entrepreneurial journey with a student job platform (08:05) Thanks to our sponsor Fullstory (10:08) Receiving tough feedback at Dropbox and its personal impact (24:27) The highs and lows of Pranav's first venture and parting ways with his co-founder (38:21) Viewing setbacks as part of the journey to success (39:36) Handling imposter syndrome during a challenging fundraising period (49:18) The role of manifestation and goal-setting in Pranav's life and work This episode is presented by: Fullstory: Surface User Sentiment with Behavioral Data. - https://fullstory.com/value
Resources: Connect with Pranav: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pranavp/ Paramark: https://paramark.com/
Connect with Andrew: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewcapland/ Hire Andrew as your coach: https://deliveringvalue.co/coaching
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