What were you like as a child? 

Sayantan Das (SD): I played a lot of sports thanks to my parents; a lot of pushing from my mom. I played tennis, cricket and soccer. I was also a lazy kid. I loved to sleep in. My record was probably till three or four in the afternoon. But those sporting habits have stuck with me until today. Now, I try to carve out anywhere between 3 to 5 hours a week for tennis. 

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

SD: Do things fearlessly with an open mind. 

Read more: Finding the Blueprint for longevity: Inside Bryan Johnson’s mission to cheat death

What does a day in the life of a juice startup co-founder look like? 

SD: What I do on a day-to-day basis varies. It could be coming up with new products or trying out new drinks, which is probably the best part of the day. I also have to manage what is inherently core to any business, which includes managing our P&L and budgets to lead the business to positive outcomes. There’s also maintaining the relationships with our stakeholders, namely our customers, employees and investors. 

How has your lifestyle changed since starting the business? 

SD: I stopped drinking alcohol about two years ago. Normally, I would go out and have drinks. Now I go to the gym and have workout sessions with friends. 

Is juice the first thing you drink in the morning? 

SD: No. (Laughs). Water first, because the body is dehydrated, and then coffee. 

Read more: Growth, grind, and vision: How Venon Tian brewed success with Zus Coffee

Where does startup life differ the most from corporate life? 

SD: Corporations usually operate within a structured environment. More often than not, things are black and white and are non-negotiable. Having spent a good amount of time in that kind of setup, I do like having some structure.

When you transition from the corporate world to the startup world, you have to let go of a lot of that structure. You have to be willing to experiment and stir the pot or let it boil.

What is a key lesson about entrepreneurship you’ve gained?

SD: Building a business is all about the people. Yes, it’s important to analyse and make sense of data, but there’s an unseen side to all businesses: how the interactions have been explicitly or implicitly shaped between the people within or involved in those businesses. The people side of the business is understated, but its impact cannot be overstated enough. To maximise productivity and get the best results from the team, you need to be a people person.

Read more: Why Luxasia’s Satyaki Banerjee takes a people-centric approach towards success

Knowing what you know now, would you still choose to be an entrepreneur?

SD: For sure. I wouldn’t trade this in for anything else. I’m very passionate about what we’re building at Being Juice. I believe that the future of beverages is going to trend towards healthier products and options. If we can get our drink to one new customer a day, we’re doing our job.

What do you wish more entrepreneurs would talk about?

SD: The struggles and mental health challenges of being an entrepreneur. Having a close-knit community of genuine backers and supporters is crucial, and entrepreneurs need to come together to create that kind of community. It reminds us that we are not alone in this journey. 

What are your plans for Being Juice in the next five years?

SD: We have some pretty cool ideas that we want to see take light, including entering the FMCG and ready-to-eat meal markets.

Discover more F&B entrepreneurs from Malaysia and across Asia.

NOW READ

Why Validus co-founder Nikhilesh Goel hears everyone, but listens to no one

How Mulan Group’s Giada Zhang turned her identity crisis into a culinary success

The influence of K-pop and K-pop idols on fitness trends