By: Maria Williams

As a New York-based serial entrepreneur with roots in India, Ali has gracefully navigated the turbulent waters of startup life, achieving significant milestones such as an eight-figure exit with her first startup and raising millions in funding for her second. Now, she’s channeling her experiences into a new venture: the Sharmin Ali Foundation for Entrepreneurs (SAFE). We sat down with Ali to discuss her journey, the inspiration behind SAFE, and her latest venture, PiePie.

The Birth of SAFE: A Personal Journey

Ali’s entrepreneurial journey is marked by both triumphs and tribulations. The high-pressure environment of building two startups back-to-back, coupled with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, took a toll on her physical and mental health. Ali recalls, “I moved to New York post-COVID. Building two startups back-to-back and then battling challenges during COVID and the global economic meltdown took a huge toll on both my physical and mental health. I was working 16 hours even on weekends, skipping meals most of the time or just eating one meal sometimes.”

Her experiences with stress and burnout, including a cardiac arrest and depression, highlighted the lack of mental health support in the tech industry. “Various reasons from my entrepreneurial journey have led to the launching of SAFE,” Ali explains. “From personal experience with stress and burnout to observing the mental health struggles of peers, and the pervasive stigma around mental health in the entrepreneurial world, I wanted to create an environment where mental health discussions are normalized and support is accessible.”

Strategies for Success: Lessons from a Startup Veteran

Ali’s first startup, a video OTT platform for Indian vernacular languages launched in 2015, achieved an impressive eight-figure exit. She attributes this success to several key strategies:

• Market Research and Validation: “We conducted thorough market research to identify a genuine market need and validated the idea with potential customers to ensure there was a demand for the product.”

• Strong Team Building: “We assembled a team with complementary skills and a shared vision, focusing not just on skills but also on cultural fit and adaptability.”

• Customer-Centric Approach: “We prioritized customer feedback and iterated the product based on their needs, maintaining strong customer relationships and providing excellent support.”

• Scalability and Technology: “We built a scalable product from the beginning to handle growth and leveraged the latest technologies to stay ahead of competitors.”
• These strategies, combined with effective marketing, financial discipline, and adaptability, created a solid foundation for growth and ultimately led to a successful exit. “Building a startup is like solving a puzzle,” she says. “Each piece, from market research to team building, needs to fit perfectly to create a successful picture.”

Overcoming Fundraising Challenges

Raising millions for her second venture was a significant achievement, but it came with its own set of challenges. “Despite a successful exit from the first startup, convincing investors that the new venture would replicate or exceed that success was a major hurdle,” Ali admits. “We demonstrated a deep understanding of the new market, presented a solid business plan, and highlighted past successes and lessons learned.”

The emotional experience of securing such substantial funding was a mix of excitement, validation, responsibility, and pressure. “The successful raise was immensely gratifying, serving as validation of the hard work, vision, and strategy. It reinforced the belief in the new venture’s potential.” She adds, “With significant capital came the pressure to deliver on aims and meet investor expectations. There was a heightened sense of responsibility to ensure that the funds were utilized effectively to achieve growth and success.”

Personal Sacrifices and Mental Health

Ali’s journey has not been without significant personal sacrifices. Mortgaging her house and pawning jewelry to keep her startups afloat profoundly shaped her approach to entrepreneurship and mental health. “Facing numerous setbacks and challenges, often working long hours and making personal sacrifices, reinforced the importance of resilience and perseverance in entrepreneurship,” she says. These experiences also highlighted the necessity of maintaining a work-life balance and creating a sustainable work culture, both for herself and her team.

“I realized the need for a strong support system,” she reflects. “The isolation and stress of entrepreneurship highlighted the importance of having reliable team members, seeking mentorship, and fostering a network of peers for support and advice.”

The Role of Mental Health Practices in Recovery

Overcoming severe depression and a stress-induced cardiac arrest required a comprehensive approach to recovery. “Acknowledging the problem and seeking professional help were crucial first steps,” Ali shares. She engaged in therapy and counseling, adopted a healthier lifestyle, and practiced mindfulness and meditation. “Building a support network and implementing work-life balance strategies were essential in my recovery.”

Ali emphasizes the importance of recognizing mental health as a priority. “Personal experiences with stress, anxiety, and burnout underscored the importance of mental health. I began to prioritize mental well-being as a key component of overall success, both for myself and my team.”

SAFE: Tailored Support for Entrepreneurs

The Sharmin Ali Foundation for Entrepreneurs (SAFE) aims to provide unique mental health resources and support systems specifically tailored for entrepreneurs. Ali envisions SAFE as a comprehensive support network offering online mentorship, teletherapy sessions, educational programs, and community-building initiatives. “By starting the foundation, I aim to advocate for better mental health practices and policies within the industry, contributing to a healthier, more sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem,” she explains.

SAFE’s initiatives include creating a user-friendly online mentorship platform, partnering with licensed therapists to offer teletherapy sessions, and providing educational programs and workshops on key entrepreneurial skills. “We want to help entrepreneurs navigate the stresses and pressures of building and scaling businesses,” Ali says. “By addressing mental health needs, we can foster resilience and reduce the risk of burnout, ultimately contributing to the long-term sustainability of both individuals and their ventures.”

PiePie AI: Innovating with Purpose

Ali’s latest venture, PiePie AI, is a video ad generation platform designed to help marketers create compelling digital content at scale. “PiePie’s one-stop solution leverages our repository of 50 million videos combined with our proprietary algorithm to automatically surface the relevant content based on the video script,” she explains. Her love for videos and a desire to streamline the ad creation process motivated her to dive into this new project.

“Video ads are the future of marketing, but brands struggle to churn out large volumes of daily content because the process is time-consuming, necessitates referencing multiple platforms, and is prohibitively expensive,” Ali says. “PiePie AI aims to solve these challenges by providing a seamless, efficient, and cost-effective solution for creating high-quality video ads.”

Leveraging New York Tech Week

New York Tech Week provided Ali with an excellent platform to further SAFE’s mission and her other ventures. “I met a bunch of investors who can help with acquiring grants for the foundation,” she says. “I also met with a lot of mental health enthusiasts who would love to work with me to promote SAFE. I made a lot of connections so that next year we are able to host our own event with the premier entrepreneurs in NYC.”

Ali believes that the connections and opportunities generated at New York Tech Week will play a crucial role in expanding SAFE’s reach and impact. “We are building a network of like-minded individuals and organizations committed to supporting the mental health and well-being of entrepreneurs,” she says.

Integrating Mindfulness and Wellness Practices

Integrating mindfulness and wellness practices in her life has been essential for promoting both personal well-being and the health of her team. Ali shares how she does it: “I prioritize my own well-being by incorporating mindfulness practices such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, and regular physical activity into my daily routine. By demonstrating a commitment to self-care, I set a positive example for my team and create a culture where well-being is valued.”

She encourages moments of reflection and mindfulness throughout the workday, whether through dedicated break times, team meditation sessions, or opportunities for quiet reflection. “These pauses allow team members to recharge, refocus, and cultivate a sense of inner calm amidst the demands of work,” she explains.

Long-Term Goals and Vision

Looking ahead, Ali is committed to expanding the reach of SAFE and helping 10,000 entrepreneurs in the next three years. “We want to provide mental health support, build a supportive community, raise awareness about mental health, and offer skill development programs,” she says. “By investing in the mental health and well-being of entrepreneurs, SAFE contributes to the long-term success and sustainability of ventures.”

In the next five to ten years, Ali hopes to have a lasting impact on the entrepreneurial ecosystem by promoting resilience, well-being, and sustainable success. “My journey as a tech entrepreneur has been filled with highs and lows, but each milestone and lesson learned has contributed to my growth and success.”

Personal Reflections and Advice for Entrepreneurs

Ali’s story offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: “Lead with empathy, create a culture of support, prioritize mental health, listen and respond to feedback, and celebrate successes. Recognize that mental health is just as important as physical health and prioritize initiatives that support mental well-being within the workplace.”

Reflecting on her journey, Ali emphasizes the importance of setting ambitious, significant goals. “Michelangelo said, ‘The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short, but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark.’ This quote emphasizes the importance of setting ambitious, significant goals that inspire and drive us, making other challenges and problems seem smaller in comparison.”

Through SAFE, Ali is paving the way for a more empathetic and supportive entrepreneurial community, ensuring that the next generation of entrepreneurs can thrive both personally and professionally. 

This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, nor does it replace professional medical expertise or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional.

Published by: Khy Talara