THE 7-STEP STARTUP SUCCESS FORMULA - DR. ANU KHANCHANDANI
Every entrepreneur’s journey is a mix of failures and successes. The probability of failure is higher, however, there is a way to grow and keep growing until you build a successful startup. This book is one such guide to help you with 7 formulas for your success.
Transcript
Welcome to today’s podcast. We’re diving into the story of Stayzilla, once a promising online accommodation startup that shocked the industry with its abrupt closure. What went wrong, and what can we learn?
- Stayzilla started in 2005 as an online marketplace for budget accommodations, well before the likes of OYO dominated the scene.
- They scaled aggressively, shifting focus from budget hotels to homestays, which initially gained traction.
- But their downfall began when they prioritized growth over financial sustainability.
- High operational costs, poor monetization strategies, and insufficient market validation left them with mounting losses.
- By 2017, they had burned through their funding, forcing them to shut down.
- Lesson Learned: “Scaling isn’t about moving fast; it’s about moving smart. A validated market and sustainable operations should always precede expansion.”
Stayzilla’s story reminds us that no amount of funding can save a startup without solid fundamentals. But every failure is a stepping stone to better decisions.
Are you at a crossroads in your startup journey? Let’s ensure you scale the right way. Book a 1-on-1 consultation with me today at www.thegreycells.com
With over two decades of experience in the software technology arena, having worked in multinational and SME companies in India, USA and Singapore in the capacity of programmer to CTO – I felt now was a good time to give back to the world what I have learnt in this journey. Even if it ends up benefitting a few of my readers by giving them insight or solving a technical issue, I think I will have achieved my mission!