Awareness & Optimism with Navroze Mehta of Mela Artisans

In this episode, Kt connects with Navroze Mehta, a seasoned entrepreneur and founder of Mela Artisans. With over 14 years at the helm of Mela and a rich history of building successful businesses, Navroze shares his insights on leadership, integrity, and the importance of empathy in the workplace.

Navroze discusses the lessons he's learned from his journey, including the importance of acknowledging mistakes, maintaining integrity, and leading with empathy. He also reflects on the challenges of entrepreneurship, the role of optimism, and how play and cultural exploration fuel creativity and resilience.

Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on:

  • The critical role of empathy in leadership and decision-making.
  • How maintaining high integrity impacts business success and personal well-being.
  • The importance of optimism and adaptability, even in the face of challenges like the global pandemic.
  • Strategies for balancing work and play to sustain long-term creativity and productivity.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned leader, this episode offers actionable insights into building a purpose-driven business while staying true to your core values.


Key Takeaways:

  1. Embrace Mistakes: Learning from missteps is crucial; the key is to acknowledge them, learn, and move forward.
  2. Pathological Optimism: Optimism is vital for entrepreneurship, helping to navigate challenges and energize your team.
  3. Empathy in Leadership: Empathy should be at the core of all leadership decisions, fostering a positive, supportive work environment.
  4. Integrity as a Non-Negotiable: Maintaining integrity is essential for both business success and personal peace of mind.
  5. Work-Life Balance: Engage in activities outside work, such as sports and travel, to recharge and stay creative.

Mentioned in This Episode:

  • Mela Artisans: Website
  • Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS): A framework that Navroze recommends for managing and scaling businesses.
  • Renew Venture Capital: Website

Connect with Us:

About Our Guest: Navroze Mehta is the founder of Mela Artisans, a company dedicated to bringing artisanal and affordable home goods to a global market while supporting the livelihoods of artisans in India. With decades of experience in building successful businesses, Navroze is passionate about integrating purpose with profit and leading with integrity.