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Testimonials!

The ship that once sank..well, almost.

 

This is not the first time I am writing at Rodinhoods. Last time I wrote, I wrote in desperation. If you haven’t gotten get around reading it,you can find it here.  

I run a startup called Yo! Potato.

We started Yo! Potato December last year and from a very humble beginning with just 17 orders in the first month, we have grown to over 1000 orders per month. We have rigorously tested our business model and have had the courage to learn from the market and pivot various parts of our strategy so far and then… the ship hit the rock.

Though we were very happy with the progress and had enough excitement and traction from the market, we didn’t attract any serious investors. VCs beat us down on the traction and said they can’t participate unless we get to a size tempting enough. Friends and families have given it all. Savings dried up. New loan sources seemed far off. Salaries were not paid in months. Landlord threw us out losing hope we’ll ever be able to pay all the dues.

We moved into one of our employee’s house which could only house our order takers. We had no place for our riders and sheltered them in a parking lot of our old office. Rain or sun, that used to be where we worked from for almost 3 months. It felt like a free fall into a humiliating failure.

Life has a way of playing with your hopes and fears but I was glad I wasn’t beaten down by it. The fool’s intuition kept telling me the help is around the corner. It could be any one. Any connection. Just that I wasn’t sure who else should I be talking to?

That’s when you do crazy things. Like me trying to get help from a big shot like Alok. I wouldn’t have done that when I was sober from troubles because, who would be crazy enough to think someone like Alok gives a damn about a guy in Chennai who needs help ?

I called him and announced myself, “Alok, this is Krishna from Yo! Potato. I have read your blog and watched your videos a couple of times. I am in a bit of a pickle right now. My startup is sinking and will be dead in 15 days if I don’t get some help from somewhere. You got anything for me?”.

His response to that was this – ” (sweared at me like a dozen times in a totally funny, chilled out way) and then brainstormed with me about ways to get me help. He came up with a plan. “Post it on TheRodinhoods and I’ll pass the word around like crazy to everyone. TheRodinhoods won’t give up on you, man! It never does”

He even started contemplating setting up a kickstarter in India and he was talking about doing that now and helping me out. I was thrilled at his energy and absolute sense of purpose in helping entrepreneurs but I figured that’s who he is even outside entrepreneurship community.

So, I took his advice, posted on TheRodinhoods and watched responses pouring into my inbox from prospective investors, entrepreneurs and advisors. 3 weeks later, I found my investor who is an amazing marketing guy with terrific zeal and love for Yo! Potato. I mean, given a choice I would have happily partnered with someone like him as a co-founder even if he doesn’t bring money to the table. Brilliant. This happened in 3 weeks.

Today, we have adequate resources we need to cross a few milestones and become Series-A ready. I am absolutely happy the way things have turned out and guess what made this possible? – The crazy thought that someone as big as Alok would give a damn about me and my startup. If you ever stop to wonder like me, remember this – IT WORKS! 🙂

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18 Comments

  1. wow. i guess this is what we call “a happy re-beginning”….?!

    thanks for sharing your wonderful wonderful story krishna. my goosebumps refuse to settle down! 

    all the very best!

    🙂

  2. Thanks Asha! Can’t say it enough times, really! 🙂

  3. Krishna – Way to Go Man ! Mandir ki ghanti bajane ke liye hoti hai, so tumne baja di….. (Temple Bell is waiting to be struck, and that is what you have done). All will be fine now. Do let me know if I can help you in any way I can, in Bangalore. Seriously…. You can reach out to me on 9916181405.

    I always wanted to work/ally with a food startup.

    Regards, Puneet

  4. Good Luck guys..

  5. hats off to you for far-fetched hopes. that’s what entrepreneurs are made of. And Alok ji, what can i say, you ARE THERE. And you prove it again and again. 🙂

  6. Krishna, thanks for sharing the incredible story.. Rodinhoods certainly make things happen.

    Wishing you great success with your venture.

    I will be posting my Rodinhood-get things done story soon. 🙂

  7. U know what I feel that Alok Ji is really a Santa Clause sent to us by the god to give us the gifts to nourish our dreams,minds and hopes.
    And why I am sure about it is because his b’day is on the Christmas eve only…

  8. Dear Krishna

        Really Good News, Congratulations its time to show up some growth, do let me know if i can be any help 

    Thanks

    Sai

  9. Congratulations Krishna, I read your earlier post and followed most of the discussions. Glad you got help in time. 🙂

  10. Go Yo Yo Potato! (The extra Yo! reflects my excitement! ) way to go! all the best! 🙂

  11. Krishna, there are few people who last beyond eviction and the humiliation of taking employee help to get things going. True tamilian spirit and a mamoth effort at sticking with your ideas. Kudos for just sticking around!!

    What is even more rare is getting a helping hand from anyone – family, friends, etc. Getting outsider help just makes the help look even bigger. I like the  branding of Yo Potato. Would love to see a lot more of it.

     

  12. Nice concept. And a truly inspiring story. Thanks for sharing! 

  13. congrats Krishna !!

  14. dear krishna….

    i know things have changed since this post. we would all love to know what you are doing now…. pls pls share your story – it’s been so long!

  15. It would certainly be lovely to know how has been YoPotato….. 

  16. More Respect for Alok 🙂 … I think we all should not forget to give back if we get a chance.. That’s how a community is developed and that’s how India will progress..

    Cheers to Alok and Yo! Potato. 

  17. krishna, 

    i know things have changed 10x from the time you wrote this. but i think this will always be a special testimonial for every rodinhooder.

    i just wanted to wish you happy b’day from all of us (we are now nearly 10k members). may your new venture bring you everything you ever wanted. keep rocking!

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