Himalesh Kumar (@himaleshk) who is a LA-based tech entrepreneur, was the CEO & Founder of Tapdn before he ended up selling his company to Berkshire Hathaway (via CORT).
He joins Ara on this week’s episode to discuss growing up with a learning disability (dyslexia) and viewing it as a “superpower,” the time he met Warren Buffet, why he started Tapdn and the ten-year journey he took before securing an exit, the importance faith has played in his life, and why you shouldn’t take no for an answer as an entrepreneur!
Follow Himalesh:
- LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/himalesh-kumar-17bb573/)
Timestamps
00:19 - Ara introduces this week’s guest, Himalesh Kumar
01:44 - Growing up in both India and Sri Lanka before immigrating to LA
02:44 - Being dyslexic and finding a way to not it hinder his learning process, teaching himself engineering
10:25 - How to get around the word “no” as an entrepreneur
14:11 - Himalesh started Tapdn as a mobile payment company
17:13 - Tapdn’s revenue model
19:03 - How Himalesh got connected with Cort (a part of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway)
24:13 - Securing an exit
28:48 - First thing he did after selling Tapdn; buying four Ferraris?
32:14 - The impact of Himalesh’s faith during his ten-year journey towards securing an exit
38:39 - Hobbies outside of work
40:36 - What is Himalesh insecure about?
43:06 - How Himalesh views money; angel investing, crypto
47:28 - Podcasts he’s currently listening to
50:24 - Advice for other aspiring Tamil creators listening
52:17 - Creator Confessions
59:04 - The Wrap Up
1:00:37 - Bonus Audio: The time Himalesh met Warren Buffet!
Intro Music
Produced And Mixed By:
- The Tamil Creator
- Yanchan
Written By:
- Aravinthan Ehamparam
- Yanchan Rajmohan