Want to Build a Business? You'll Need to Learn This ft. Rakesh Surati (Part 2)

What happens after you’ve built a business? You have to learn how to lead it. In Part 2 of Bookshelf to Boardroom: In Their Shoes, we continue our conversation with Rakesh Surti, Managing Director of SmitTech, as he shares the lessons he learned while making the transition from entrepreneur to leader. We talk about why building a successful business isn't just about customers, revenue, or growth — it's about building the right people and creating a team that can grow with the business. Rakesh shares his approach to hiring, the qualities he looks for in people, the red flags he watches out for, and the importance of learning to let go. We also explore the difficult process of unlearning old habits and changing yourself as the business grows. The conversation then moves to staying relevant in a constantly changing market, continuous learning, and what Rakesh would do differently if he had to start all over again. And finally, he shares advice for young professionals who dream of entrepreneurship but are afraid to take the leap. In this episode: 📌 The transition from entrepreneur to leader 📌 Building people, not just a business 📌 How to hire the right people 📌 Red flags to look for when hiring 📌 Why leaders need to unlearn 📌 Staying relevant in a changing market 📌 What he would do differently if starting again 📌 Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs 📌 The one thing he wishes he knew before starting If you're building a business, thinking about becoming an entrepreneur, or trying to become a better leader, this conversation has lessons worth taking with you. Bookshelf to Boardroom — Read. Think. Lead.