Tara Viswanathan, Co-Founder and CEO of Rupa, joins the Entrepreneurial Excellence podcast to share her journey from quitting her job without a clear idea to building a company that serves thousands of doctors and clinics.
She opens up about the realities of the startup journey, the importance of timing in the market, and the persistence required to turn an idea into a thriving business. Tara also discusses the misconceptions around overnight success and the lessons she learned while raising funding and scaling Rupa.
She also dives into the challenges of prioritization, delegation, and building a culture that integrates work and life seamlessly.
Tara defines entrepreneurial excellence as a commitment to constant growth, staying connected to a strong ‘why,’ and pushing through challenges with conviction.
Key Topics:
Quote From The Episode:
"Don't kill that spirit inside yourself that wants to keep building and creating. That is the most important thing—don't let that pilot light go out."
- Tara Viswanathan
Timestamp:
[01:16] Tara shared her entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the challenges of founding Rupa Health and pioneering holistic healthcare solutions.
[10:12] Tara discussed the rise of holistic and personalized medicine, emphasizing how consumer demand, social media, and advancements in science fueled its mainstream adoption.
[21:54] Tara highlighted the importance of balancing active and passive work for effective decision-making, emphasizing how creating personal rhythms, such as dedicated reflection time, can prevent burnout and improve mental clarity.
[29:54] Tara discussed the importance of prioritization, emphasizing how founders must trust their instincts, balance gut decisions with logical thinking, and focus on what truly drives impact rather than opting for easy wins or processes that feel productive.
[40:08] Tara emphasized the importance of hiring exceptional talent by deeply calibrating for greatness, leveraging networks, and aligning team strengths with company goals, while maintaining a relentless focus on impactful work and personal growth.
[50:20] Tara shared her belief that entrepreneurial excellence is about being your absolute best, continuously improving, having an unwavering commitment to your mission, and working on something truly meaningful while staying authentic and true to yourself.
[1:01:06] Tara shared her insights on maintaining resilience, embracing a singular focus, and prioritizing what matters most in building a company, while emphasizing the value of personal rhythms, surrendering to life's challenges, and continuously pushing boundaries for growth.
[1:12:50] Outro
Connect with Tara:
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/taraviswanathan
Website - taraviswanathan.com
Connect to Entrepreneurial-Excellence:
Website - https://www.levy.company/entrepreneurial-excellence
