In this episode of Twisted Truths, we sit down with Suraj Juneja — serial entrepreneur, venture builder, investor, and founder of FreeFlow Ventures — to decode the real mindset behind building businesses in today’s fast-moving startup ecosystem. He has also worked with 100+ startups across tech, OTT, and sustainability, and currently mentors 300+ founders through Indian Startup Studio, Pune.This conversation dives deep into how the Indian startup ecosystem has evolved over the last decade — especially post-COVID, and breaks down the real difference between hype and reality in startups.Key takeaway:You don’t need revolutionary tech or massive funding to build a successful startup. What you need is the right timing, the right team, smart capital usage, and strong execution.We discuss:1. What it really takes to build a startup that lasts2. How to validate ideas before scaling (and before raising money)3. The difference between building fast vs building right4. Common mistakes first-time founders make5. The reality of funding — hype vs hard numbers6. How venture builders think differently from solo founders7. Why discipline and execution matter more than motivation8. Mentorship, founder psychology, and long-term vision 9. What investors actually look for in early-stage startups10. ⁠Startup vs legacy business mindset: uncertainty vs efficiency11. ⁠The biggest reasons startups fail: founders trying to do everything themselves12. ⁠AI products vs AI services — where the real opportunity life.If you are one of the following then this episode is for you:* An aspiring entrepreneur* A startup founder at an early stage* A student interested in startups or venture capital* Someone curious about how real businesses are builtFollow Twisted Truths on social media:* YouTube: https://youtube.com/@twistedtruthssbydgf?si=92KGKV3CBRH2GcGV* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twistedtruthss?igsh=M2FzdXA4am1mYThu* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/twistedtruthsbydgf* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6qEze2L1XySuiGYdiuWnND?si=-7Wu7MqQR7uQ-DGCCTPLmA Credits:* Produced by: Lal Bhatia* Guest: Suraj Juneja* Host & Creative Director: Joydeep Sen* Content Strategist: Darakshah Sohail * ⁠Content Intern : Trishita Hatai* ⁠Script & Research : Darakshah Sohail* Production Head: Harshit Pandey * Production Assistant : Vishal Khan* Audio & Video Editing: Rajesh Kr. Samanta* Supporting Video Editing: Rashida Mondal* ⁠Director of Photography : Sayan Mondal* Poster & Thumbnail Design: Bidyut Singha Roy & Kamalika Biswas🔔 Subscribe for real conversations about:Startups · Founders · Business · Investing · Growth · The Indian Startup Ecosystem

What does it really take to run a 40-year-old creative agency in a world ruled by AI, influencers, freelancers, and fast content?In this candid, no-filter conversation, Rashi opens up about growing up inside a legacy design & advertising business and how she now runs it in a completely different era. From payment delays and agency politics to AI in creativity and why pitching is broken, this episode goes deep into what most agencies never say out loud.We discuss:1. Why legacy agencies struggle in today’s creator-driven world2. How AI is changing creativity (and why human instinct still wins)3. The ugly truth about payment cycles in advertising4. Why Rashi refuses to pitch for clients5. Freelancers vs. full-time creative teams6. How creator IP is becoming more valuable than ads7. Why agencies should be treated as marketing partners, not vendorsThis is not a motivational talk.This is the real economics, politics, and survival playbook of the creative industry in 2026.If you are:1. Running an agency2. Working in design, branding or advertising3. A freelancer or creator building long-term IP4. Or someone stuck in broken client systemsThis episode will hit close to home.🔔 Subscribe for real conversations aboutDesign • Creativity • AI • Agencies • Content • Business • Influence • The Creator Economy👇 Follow Twisted Truths on Socials 👇 🎥 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@twistedtruthssbydgf 📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/twistedtruthss 📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/twistedtruthsbydgf 🎧 Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/6qEze2L1XySuiGYdiuWnND?si=57cb956c71714375📩 For collaborations & queries: info@dandgfilms.com

Twisted Truths | Episode with Rashi – Clean Chapters

00:00 – Introduction
Obsession, micromanagement, and the 40-year legacy of a creative business.

01:00 – Design × Business × AI
How design thinking meets business realities, and the growing impact of AI on creativity.

01:45 – Meet Rashi
Official start of the conversation with Rashi.

02:10 – Growing Up in a Legacy Agency
Managing a legacy business and being raised inside a creative ecosystem.

03:35 – From Design School to Business
Transitioning from formal design education to real-world business operations.

05:05 – Maintaining Design Quality
Approval systems, standards, and protecting creative integrity in an agency setup.

08:10 – Delegation vs Micromanagement
Finding balance, leadership challenges, and the role of a quality checker.

51:05 – Why Creators Need IP
The importance of building Intellectual Property for long-term creator growth.

52:30 – Upcoming Show: The Hungry Guests
Concept, format, and what makes the show different.

54:05 – Traveling for Stories
Exploring India to discover unique, culture-driven content.

55:35 – Closing Thoughts
Why integrating agency branding into content matters for creators and businesses.

In this unfiltered episode of Twisted Truths, we sit down with Indrajit Lahiri, the face and force behind Foodka, to uncover the real story.

From the early days of Foodka with Mir to the transition of leadership, Indrajit breaks down why the shift happened, how Foodka evolved from a storytelling-led format to a research-driven, trust-first platform, and why authenticity matters more than money in today’s creator economy.

This conversation goes beyond food reviews. We talk about:

• Why Foodka never chased money, only trust

• The real reason Mir stepped away from the platform

• Writing vs video content in food storytelling

• How saturated food blogging has become in India

• Why creators must define their “why”

• ROI, brand collaborations & the harsh reality of influencer marketing

• Biryani debates, city food cultures & Kolkata’s nostalgia-driven restaurants

• Running cloud kitchens, manpower issues & food business realities

A must-watch for creators, food entrepreneurs, marketers, and anyone curious about how real platforms survive without selling out.

🎧 Watch till the end for raw insights on food, culture, business, and trust.

00:00 – Introduction: Indrajit Lahiri & the story behind Foodka
02:10 – Why trust matters more than money in food blogging
03:01 – Writing & documentation still matter in the age of reels
04:29 – The real reason Mir left Foodka (no controversy)
06:41 – Foodka’s future: becoming a story-first platform
09:24 – Advice for new creators: find your “why” & brand ROI
12:40 – Indrajit’s favourite food creators from Delhi, Mumbai & Kolkata
15:27 – Kolkata Biryani culture vs the rest of India
17:30 – His ultimate “last meal” Biryani choice
19:37 – Inside his cloud kitchen business: Eastern Staple
22:38 – Fine dining vs casual dining vs street food (Mumbai, Delhi & Kolkata)
27:37 – Why legacy restaurants thrive in Kolkata

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