Luv Sheth’s passion for learning new things has lead him to start his own company.
What’s your story?
By high school I had made the choice to leave behind my family business to pursue my passion for engineering. I always knew I’d want to start my own company, but never realized it was going to happen this early in life.
It started out as a learning experience where me and my partner decided that even though statistically we weren’t going to make it; an opportunity like this would really help us learn a lot more than what university would be able to teach us. Now that I’m about to begin working on ATOM full time, it’s an extremely fulfilling feeling.
What excites you most about your industry?
The people.
Designers are obsessive by nature; and for easy money there are many better alternatives. This leaves only the people who have a deep passion for doing what they love: making things.
When the working hours end, they don’t stop working, they just change what they’re thinking about. You’ll see apparently mundane things blow someone’s mind just because they notice the amount of thought that went into creating it.
What’s your connection to Asia?
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
Shanghai. It’s a city that’s bustling with energy and full of start-ups that are out to change the world. Apart from that, Chinese culture makes it really pleasant to do business despite the language barrier.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
No one ever really starts out knowing what they’re doing. Eventually, the dedicated people learn.
Initially, I used to think about how I need to outsource all these tasks that I have no prior experience with, but then I realized that doing new things is pretty much the only way to learn new skills. Now I’m always looking forward to having to do something where I wouldn’t even know where to begin because at the end of it, I’m going to have learnt how to do something outside my range of expertise.
Who inspires you?
Elon Musk. The amount of industries a single person can revolutionize still amazes me.
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
That it actually costs 8500USD to attend a TED talk in person
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
I’d love to have begun working full time on ATOM a lot sooner.
Funnily enough, what held me back wasn’t that I wasn’t willing to take the risk but the fact that I was a bit too willing to jump the gun; and I wasn’t sure if I was doing it because of my tendency to be impulsive or if it was a genuinely good decision.
How do you unwind?
Going outdoors. Anything from hiking, to biking to just relaxing by the beach just makes my day.
Music is great too. I’m listening to music pretty much whenever I get the chance. Despite the fact that my guitar skills have taken a hit, it’s still a lot of fun just sitting down and playing for yourself every once in a while.
I also love reading. Admittedly, a lot of these books are related to design, but I try and diversify my pick every once in a while.
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
Tiger Point near Mumbai is one of my favorite places to go.
It’s a ninety minute drive from Mumbai which means the only people you’ll end up going with are your close friends. Combine this with the fact that once you’re there, you have an open view of the stars from the edge of a cliff and music blasting from your car, what more can you ask for?
The answer is a campfire and some tea, because that’s what the locals living near here will make for you for a small fee.
Everyone in business should read this book:
How Engineers Create the World by Bill Hammack.
It’s a transcript of his radio broadcasts and deals with some goofy to downright ridiculous hoops inventors had to jump through to bring their creations to the masses. It really gives you some perspective on how crazy you sometimes need to be to make things work.
Shameless plug for your business:
www.getyouratom.com
How can people connect with you?
[email protected]
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This interview was part of the Callum Connect’s column found on The Asian Entrepreneur:
Callum Laing invests and buys small businesses in a range of industries around Asia. He has previously started, built and sold half a dozen businesses and is the founder & owner of Fitness-Buffet a company delivering employee wellness solutions in 12 countries. He is a Director of, amongst others, Key Person of Influence. A 40 week training program for business owners and executives.
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