In this thought-provoking episode of AfterHours with All About Eve, hosted by Bani Anand, entrepreneur Pratham Mittal opens up about his unique journey, his philosophy on work and life, and the hard-earned lessons that have shaped his career. Growing up in Jalandhar, surrounded by a community where entrepreneurship was part of his daily life, Pratham shares how early exposure to business conversations — from trading to profit-making — instilled in him a natural curiosity for building and innovating.The conversation delves into his key takeaways from building start-ups, including his experience with the Neta App — a platform designed to rate politicians, which taught him powerful lessons about behaviour change, technology, and the challenges of trying to bring accountability into India’s political landscape. He speaks candidly about the reality of seeing a promising idea struggle because it required too great a shift in people’s fundamental behaviours.Pratham also discusses the myth of product versus service businesses. He admits that, for years, he pursued the allure of product companies, believing service businesses were less scalable or impactful.Throughout the interview, Bani and Pratham delve into deeper questions: What percentage of success is due to luck, intelligence, hard work, or critical thinking? How do entrepreneurs create their own luck? And what is the balance between delusion and vision when attempting world-changing ideas like Elon Musk’s?Pratham also speaks passionately about education — his current area of focus through the Master's Union — and why he believes schools and universities need to shift from merely teaching and testing to genuinely nurturing young minds. In one of the most inspiring moments of the interview, Pratham shares his experience of meeting Zerodha’s Nithin Kamath — a reminder that humility is often a defining trait of the most successful people. He recalls how Nitin Kamath responded to a cold WhatsApp message, invited him for a meeting, and treated him with respect and genuine curiosity.The podcast also touches on privilege, failure, and the value of setbacks in developing resilience. Pratham reflects on how his time at boarding school and enduring difficult periods in business helped him build humility and self-awareness. They also discuss how everyone born with privilege should face at least one major setback to gain perspective on life.Finally, Pratham opens up about what gives his life meaning today — his commitment to transforming education, his nightly routines, and how he unwinds AfterHours. He shares what inspires him: the visionary leadership of figures such as Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who transformed Dubai from a struggling state into a global centre of progress and innovation.(00:00) Episode begins(3:14) Why he doesn’t work with his family(4:33) What Jalandhar taught him about business(7:18) Business ideas he wishes he’d thought of(9:07) Product vs service business(10:43) Hammerhead shark story(14:02) We crashed, and the delusion needed for success(16:00) Purpose of life and Elon Musk(17:57) The pressure of always being ‘on’(21:23) How much does luck matter?(23:14) Creating your own luck(24:27) What is critical thinking?(25:55) Lakshmi and Saraswati's story(29:29) His worst experience as an entrepreneur(35:34) How the Neta App was hacked(37:52) Boarding school grounding and a Bollywood actor’s story(41:40) How he ensures students are equipped for life(42:21) Why schools fail to nurture(46:39) Humility in success + Nithin Kamath story(49:20) ‘First builds it, second grows it, third loses it’(52:47) Business family vs family business(55:14) On being detached(58:12) Outgrowing parents as an entrepreneur(58:39) On heroes and role models(1:06:33) How he unwinds AfterHoursFollow us: Instagram:   / allabouteve_in   Facebook:   / allaboutevein  Pinterest:   / allabouteve_in  Website: https://allabouteve.co.in/