How to build a REAL Startup (Not What You See Online) | The ThirdLane Podcast ep.15 | Epaphra [xcnxBACTXZI]
Want to build your own SaaS startup? Join Aalamaram’s free BUILD Program Overview Session this Sunday, August 10th to learn how they help founders turn ideas into real businesses. 📅 Date: Sunday, August 10th 🔗 Register here: In this exclusive episode, we bring together founders, investors, sales professionals, and product experts to unpack what really happens behind the scenes of building a startup. No sugar-coating. No fluff. Just raw, honest conversations on startup culture, the obsession with the US market, the intersection of emotional intelligence and AI, and the untold realities of the entrepreneurial grind. Whether you're a founder, a dreamer, or just curious about the startup world, this episode offers real-world insight, clarity, and context on what it truly takes to build and scale. In this rare roundtable, they discuss: • What really defines a startup in today’s world • The untapped potential in AI and how to ride the wave • US vs Indian clients — where’s the real opportunity now • Why timing, team, and clarity matter more than hype • Lessons from building, scaling, failing, and bouncing back This isn’t fluff. It’s raw, insightful, and extremely actionable. 🔥 Watch till the end, take notes, and subscribe for more bold, insight-driven episodes only on Explore with Epaphra ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Share your guest suggestions here Mail - [email protected] Link - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 🎙️ Host Epaphra TheThirdLane Podcast (Spotify): Instagram: | LinkedIn: 🎙️ Guests Praveen Krishna (Chief Evangelist at Aalamaram Startup Incubator) LinkedIn: Ambi Moorthy (Bootstrapped Co-Founder & CEO - GoZen) LinkedIn: Aishwarya Ashok (AI Product Builder, Creator of thefoundersfoyer) LinkedIn: Lokesh Kannan (GTM, ElevenLabs) LinkedIn: Vignesh Ramanujam (Co-Founder & CEO - The Happy Company) LinkedIn: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 📚 My Favourite Books Dotcom Secrets: The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: Courage to Be Disliked: 🎥 My Gear for Shooting this Video Sony ZVE1 Camera: Sigma 24-70mm Lens: HollyLand M2 Microphone: Godox 100W Light: Godox SoftBox 32 inch: Tripod: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 🙋♂️ Who Am I? If we haven’t met before, I’m Epaphra — a storyteller, entrepreneur, and content creator passionate about helping people discover real opportunities. Through videos, podcasts, and writing, I share transformative insights, practical strategies, and powerful stories to help you grow, take action, and create a life filled with purpose. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 — Trailer 03:25 — What is not a startup? 11:30 — Will the startup mindset help? 15:06 — Be aware of this kind of startup mindset 18:49 — Don't follow the glamorous entrepreneur lifestyle 26:23 — The reality of startup life 31:03 — How to turn your idea into money 35:18 — Can an MSME company have a vision? 40:33 — When do you know you’re ready to start your own company? 50:33 — What is your purpose? 1:31:30 — What does India really need right now? 1:42:33 — Why do people focus on US & UK clients? 2:02:33 — How to gain US cultural insights 2:13:03 — How to sell your product to US clients 2:42:48 — Why India doesn’t have ARPU 2:47:36 — Has AI surpassed human emotion? 2:52:33 — How do you navigate being a clueless startup founder?