Sameer Maheshwari, the CEO of HealthKart, exemplifies how a middle-class upbringing can be a powerful foundation for building a thriving business. An alumnus of IIT Delhi and Harvard Business School, Maheshwari recently shared insights on LinkedIn about the values, habits, and work ethic instilled in him during his formative years, which ultimately contributed to HealthKart's valuation of $500 million in November 2024.

Growing up, Maheshwari experienced a household where success had to be earned. Lacking a financial safety net, he faced constant pressure to perform, fostering resilience, resourcefulness, and the drive to carve his own path. These early challenges instilled in him an appreciation for the value of money and the importance of distinguishing between needs and wants. He learned to stretch every rupee, save diligently, and remain grateful for what he had, rather than constantly chasing after what he lacked.

Maheshwari identified five core lessons from his middle-class background that he continues to live by: valuing money, understanding the difference between needs and wants, prioritizing saving, practicing gratitude, and channeling peer pressure into personal motivation. These lessons shaped his approach to building HealthKart, a company he founded in 2011.

Even with financial comfort, Maheshwari admits that his "middle-class OS" remains ingrained in his behavior. Whether it's hesitating before purchasing expensive items or diligently comparing prices across multiple websites, these habits reflect a mindset of financial prudence and resourcefulness. He believes that these habits are less about the money saved and more about the discipline and perspective they provide.

Maheshwari also reflected on how a more comfortable upbringing might have affected his drive and ambition. He believes the challenges he faced gave him purpose, while the friction of limited means built resilience. According to Maheshwari, being middle-class is more than just a financial status; it's an attitude characterized by self-reliance, hard work, and a grounded perspective.

Financial experts like Naval Ravikant have also weighed in on the habits that can keep people stuck in the "middle class rat race". Ravikant points to pitfalls such as playing status games, working solely for material rewards, renting out time instead of focusing on output scalability, falling for get-rich-quick schemes, and ceasing to learn after formal education. He emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and entrepreneurship as paths to escape the cycle of trading time for money.

The story of Sameer Maheshwari and the insights of Naval Ravikant highlight the importance of mindset and habits in achieving financial success. While a middle-class upbringing may present challenges, it can also instill values like discipline, resourcefulness, and a strong work ethic. By embracing these values and avoiding common pitfalls, individuals can build successful businesses and achieve financial independence.