In this episode, I talk with Ritu Soni Srivastava, a seasoned entrepreneur and the founder of TheLightbulb.ai.

Ritu shares her unconventional career path, from the corporate world to entrepreneurship, her experiences building two startups, and valuable lessons learned along the way.

The discussion covers the challenges and triumphs of founding startups, strategies for product development, balancing family life with entrepreneurial pursuits, and the importance of process-driven success in B2B environments.

• Name: Ritu Soni Srivastava
• Background: Founder of TheLightbulb.ai, former corporate executive, radio jockey, and founder of a health-focused startup acquired by U.S. investors.
• Experience: 23+ years, split evenly between corporate and startup spheres.
• Specialisation: B2B product development, consumer insights, emotion AI, and process management.

Ritu shared her unique career shift from corporate positions at Bharti Airtel to becoming a radio jockey and later, a startup founder. Her dissatisfaction with corporate life and the desire for flexibility after becoming a mother were pivotal in her move to entrepreneurship.

Ritu explained how personal struggles with postpartum weight loss motivated her to create a product that could guide others. Despite her initial DIY approach, customer feedback led to crucial iterations that emphasized hyper-personalization and behaviour change.

Having learned from the management challenges of her first venture, Ritu now focuses on overseeing her team without micromanaging. She emphasises building effective processes over obsessing about outcomes and ensures her well-being through defined work hours and team respect.

Ritu highlighted the pressure of fundraising and the subsequent demands on founders to demonstrate rapid growth. She stressed the need for focus, saying, "Process KPIs should drive behaviour, not revenue KPIs."

Fitness became a mental health anchor for Ritu during high-stress periods. Now a dedicated weightlifter and MMA enthusiast, she finds that fitness instils confidence and resilience, qualities essential for leadership.

Ritu candidly discussed the underrepresentation of women in entrepreneurship, with only 2-3% of global VC funding directed to female-led startups. She advocates for perseverance despite these barriers.

David welcomes Ritu and sets the stage for the discussion on building in public.

Ritu recounts her career trajectory from corporate jobs to entrepreneurship.

Insights into balancing family life and pursuing a startup idea.

The story behind Ritu’s first startup and key product development lessons.

Ritu reflects on team growth, funding pressures, and adapting her leadership style.

Exploring lessons from the first venture and implementing new strategies at TheLightbulb.ai.

The positive impact of fitness on...