At “Decoded with Chandni Kapadia,” the Aries Agro CMD highlights earned leadership, team building, trust and technology-driven agricultural innovation.
Ahmedabad: What does it take to build a business beyond a family legacy, translate innovation into real-world impact and create opportunities for others? These questions shaped an engaging episode of Decoded with Chandni Kapadia at GLS University, featuring Dr. Rahul Mirchandani, Chairman and Managing Director of Aries Agro Limited, in conversation with Dr. Chandni Kapadia, Executive Director of GLS University.
Reflecting on his journey in the family business, Dr. Mirchandani emphasised that leadership and respect must be earned through professional skills, hard work and individual capabilities. Sharing a key lesson from his experience, he said, “I had to leave my surname at the door,” underlining the importance of building an independent professional identity rather than relying solely on family legacy.
The discussion explored the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, with Dr. Mirchandani encouraging young people to understand why they want to start a business, the problems they intend to solve and the value they aim to create. He also highlighted the potential of technology, practical training and farmer-led innovation to transform Indian agriculture, particularly in agri-tech, water conservation and resource-efficient farming.
Beyond entrepreneurship and agriculture, the conversation addressed women’s empowerment, workplace flexibility and employee-led entrepreneurship. Dr. Mirchandani emphasised the importance of allowing young people to pursue their passions responsibly while creating meaningful professional opportunities.
During the rapid-fire segment, he summed up the importance of people in building a successful startup with an emphatic response: “Team, team, and team.” He also highlighted the importance of trust in business, stressing that money cannot fix a lack of trust.
One of the most personal moments of the conversation came when Dr. Mirchandani recalled advice from his mother about developing an identity independent of family, professional titles and external support. She encouraged him to reflect on who he would be without his surname or the people around him, and to build a sense of self that could stand on its own.
The advice continues to influence his outlook, reminding him to reflect on whether he has lived and worked in a way that allows him to become his own person.
Through Decoded with Chandni Kapadia, GLS University continues to bring industry leaders and changemakers into conversations with students, offering perspectives on entrepreneurship, leadership, innovation and professional growth.
The episode reinforced a central message for aspiring entrepreneurs: lasting success depends on understanding people’s needs, building trust, developing strong teams and creating value that extends beyond business.