Hello! The weekend may be calling, but we’re all about maximizing these last two days. Today’s edition is packed with thoughtful takeaways and a sprinkle of humor to bring you closer to your goals. Let’s finish strong!
But before we talk about it, here’s a dose of positivity for you:
It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up
Now, let’s get started…
Alright, here’s the scoop on Sharan Hegde
Recently, his company ‘The 1% Club’ made headlines for letting go of 28 employees - a decision that’s stirred up quite a bit of controversy. The layoffs, Sharan says, are simply a part of “cost-cutting,” but with the sudden restructuring, many are starting to wonder if there’s more to the story.
Just cost-cutting or something else?
According to Sharan, the layoffs were necessary to streamline costs as the company moved toward integrating more AI-driven processes. While cost-cutting sounds routine for any business, some netizens aren’t buying it.
As one commenter put it, “If I could explain this guy in one word ... exaggerated and hype, no substance." Another added, “He is definitely overrated, but the real game is from now on."
Sharan claims this was a one-time measure, meant to fix some missteps in hiring and manage costs through AI solutions. But the fact that a financial education startup, one that preaches money management is cutting jobs right after a massive hiring spree does raise a few eyebrows. And his response? He posted on LinkedIn, admitting that the layoffs were ironic for a finance influencer. “I just laid off 15% of my workforce and received a lot of messages from friends and media asking if I’m going bankrupt,” he wrote.
He reassured everyone that bankruptcy isn’t on the table, but the rapid changes make you wonder if things are as stable as they seem.
⚠️ HOLD ON
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So is he self-sufficient or just managing the image?
Sharan insists The 1% Club is financially secure. According to him, they’re raking in $8 million annually with a healthy 35-40% EBITDA. Investor funds are, reportedly, untouched in a ₹10 crore fixed deposit earning 8.5% interest. And yes, they bought that spacious 5,000-square-foot Mumbai office with their own profits.
But some critics are skeptical. After all, how many “bootstrapped” startups lay off 15% of their workforce in the name of cost-saving, only to invest in a swanky new office? Sharan claims it’s all part of his meticulous financial planning, yet the timing has drawn attention from people who believe he’s more about hype than substance. As one person noted online, “Hence again proved, never ever trust these social media influencers on such important topics.”
The impact on employees
Sharan says the layoffs involved a severance package calculated according to tenure, with each former employee receiving a month’s pay and a settlement letter. However, one ex-employee anonymously detailed the experience online, sharing that The 1% Club cut various high-level positions - VPs, AVPs, and nearly all content creators and graphic designers. Now, the company is leaning on AI for social media content, cutting down the marketing team to just two people.
The conversation online hasn’t been kind. One netizen sarcastically called him the “Upcoming Byju,” while another commented, “He is definitely overrated.”
So, is the hype justified?
The 1% Club’s growth story sounds impressive: what began as Sharan’s bedroom venture with five interns is now a 200-employee company boasting nearly 85,000 paying customers.
Sharan, originally from Mangaluru and with experience at KPMG and PwC, has built a finance empire online with the help of co-founder Raghav Gupta. But these layoffs are prompting many to question the reality of Sharan’s carefully curated image.
With many calling him “exaggerated” and “overrated,” some are waiting to see if his success is sustainable or just another flashy social media success story.
So, that’s it for today! See you tomorrow 👋