Sagar Y. Pagar Interview
A good mentor first becomes a good reader of people
Q. For readers discovering you for the first time, how would you describe your mission as an entrepreneur and social mentor in one sentence?
Entrepreneurs' journey is like a storm and I want to be the calmness in that journey.
Q. Many founders claim 'purpose' drives their businesses. What personal experience or turning point taught you the difference between passion and responsibility?
In the beginning my journey was fully driven by passion. But as I grew, I understood that an entrepreneur is an economic soldier. You have a responsibility towards your team, your clients and your society.
Passion only helps you improve yourself, but responsibility inspires others to grow when they look at you. So I learnt that you must be responsible every day and aim to be better than yesterday.
Q. Local Bandhan is built around empowering local businesses. What is one common strategic mistake you see small entrepreneurs repeat, and how can they fix it in a practical way?
Many small entrepreneurs get carried away with unrealistic expectations. When their expectations do not match reality, they feel disappointed. The solution is to keep expectations small and humble. When expectations are humble, any shock gets absorbed easily.
For example, if someone opens a restaurant and expects a huge line on day one, they will feel sad. But they should value the 10 customers already there with gratitude. Another mistake is thinking about raising capital first.
People invest in people, so keep working and improving. When people see your work, they will invest in you. Many also fear hiring people better than themselves. They fear competition or backstabbing. But no one can take your fate. Hiring better people helps the company grow.
Q. You often talk about mentorship. From your perspective, what makes someone 'mentor-ready'? Is it experience, humility, or something else entirely?
Absolutely, a person becomes mentor-ready when they learn from real-life experiences, stay humble but observation and communication plays an important role. Mentorship needs good listening, understanding and the ability to learn from stories around you.
And also a person is mentor ready when they understand the big difference between a statement and an opinion, and knowing that difference helps in guiding others.
Q. In an era where everyone wants to be a founder, what is the one underrated skill young entrepreneurs should master before chasing scale or funding?
One underrated skill young entrepreneurs should master is the balance of the 3 Cs - communication, confidence and content. When you communicate clearly, believe in what you are building, and have strong content to back your idea, people understand your value.
Before thinking about scale or funding, mastering these three skills helps entrepreneurs present their vision with clarity and build trust. Eventually, this is what makes others willing to invest in your business.
Q. You work at the intersection of media, business development, and healing/physiotherapy. How do you maintain clarity of vision across such different ecosystems?
When I focus on one venture or decision, I dive deep into it and do not think about anything else. I detach from everything around me and concentrate fully on what I need to do at that moment. This helps me stay clear-minded and make better decisions without getting distracted by other work.
Q. Social entrepreneurship is difficult in India because impact and profitability often clash. What models or frameworks have helped you align both successfully?
It’s simply about one’s decision, what you choose. But when work comes from passion, compassion and purpose, solutions appear naturally. I believe that the impact you create today will definitely give profit in the future. Profit from impact is always stronger and more meaningful than profit from money alone.
Q. As a mentor, how do you assess whether someone needs strategy, confidence, or simply discipline? What are the signs you look for?
A good mentor first becomes a good reader of people. I listen carefully and read between the lines to understand what is missing in someone. Psychology plays a big role here, I don’t judge whether it’s positive or negative, I just try to understand. More than assessing, I first understand the person and then decide what they need.
If they lack focus and consistency, they need discipline. If they are unclear about their direction, they need strategy. If they hesitate or lack belief in themselves, they need confidence. Observing how they act, speak, and respond helps me see which area to focus on.
Q. What’s something you strongly believed in at the start of your journey, which you now think completely differently about?
I once thought that achieving one milestone means everything is sorted, but now I know you must upgrade yourself every day.
Earlier I believed money brings happiness, but later I realised I feel truly satisfied when I mentor people and solve their problems. My journey didn’t go the way I imagined, but it shaped me into who I am.
Q. If entrepreneurship could be taught in a single classroom activity, what would that activity look like?
If entrepreneurship had to be taught in one activity, I would keep an empty room filled with water and put the entrepreneur inside. It is not about how you learn. It is about how you find your own way out and solve your problem.
Q. You have inspired many young founders. What is one powerful piece of advice that you give yet find the hardest to follow yourself?
My advice is to control your anger because it has two sides. One side destroys you when it controls you. The other side becomes your weapon when you control it. If you use anger in the correct way and at the correct time, it helps you. If you use it too much, it destroys you. This is something I still try to balance.
Q. Quick fun one: If you had to build a startup with only ₹1000, no contacts and 48 hours what would you do first?
If I had only ₹1000 and 48 hours, I would start something small but meaningful, like selling pocket sandwiches. It’s not just about the money or the product, it’s about creating value from very little, solving a small need, and seeing how effort and care can turn something simple into trust and impact.
Even a tiny idea, when nurtured with focus and attention, can grow and teach lessons bigger than any plan or capital.
Bio:
Sagar Y. Pagar is a Mumbai-based entrepreneur, strategist, and mentor known for his work in social entrepreneurship and community-driven initiatives. He is the founder of several ventures, including Local Bandhan, Areopagus, Aaryan Infocom, LB Media Creators, and Areophysio, through which he works across technology, media, wellness, and social impact sectors. With a strong focus on mentorship and purpose-led leadership, Sagar has built a reputation for empowering young entrepreneurs and developing sustainable, community-oriented solutions. His digital presence reflects a blend of professional insight, personal growth, and social contribution.
Interviewed by: Nidhi
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