OYO’s founder and CEO, Ritesh Agarwal, recently shared an unexpected insight into his leadership approach—personally cleaning hotel washrooms to emphasize the importance of hygiene and cleanliness to his staff.
Speaking at Mumbai Tech Week on March 1, Agarwal stated, "I still, sometimes, clean washrooms as a role modeling exercise." His hands-on approach aims to demonstrate that no task is too small when it comes to maintaining hospitality standards.
OYO’s Global Expansion & Agarwal’s Entrepreneurial Mindset
Since its inception in 2013, OYO has expanded rapidly, now offering over a million rooms across 80 countries. Reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey, Agarwal emphasized the need for resilience and humility in business.
Lessons in Entrepreneurship: Overcoming Fear & Arrogance
Agarwal advised aspiring entrepreneurs to "leave fear, embarrassment, pride, and arrogance outside the room", calling them the biggest obstacles to success. He continued, "For some, this is hard to accept because it challenges conventional thinking."
His speech encouraged young entrepreneurs to embrace challenges, accept help, and stay focused on their goals. "Are you allowing me to shine, or are you trying to smear oil on my candles? I know what I am after, and it makes a wide difference."
Key Takeaways from Ritesh Agarwal’s Speech
✅ Lead by Example – No task is beneath a leader.
✅ Stay Humble & Fearless – Drop arrogance and embrace learning.
✅ Redefine Success – Hard work and resilience drive growth.
Agarwal’s journey from a young entrepreneur to a self-made billionaire at 29 continues to inspire the startup community worldwide. ?
