Paisa Vaisa with Anupam Gupta

CA Isha Jaiswal, a chartered accountant turned financial educator who worked at KPMG and Grant Thornton, shares sharp takes on taxation, salary structuring and financial parenting. She discusses the shift from saving to cash flow, salary negotiation hacks like converting variable pay, legal ways to pay rent to parents for HRA, moonlighting risks and hiring kids for odd jobs to teach money.

In this episode of Paisa Vaisa, Anupam Gupta sits down with Karan Shah, Director of Society Tea, to decode the century-long journey of one of India's most beloved brands. Starting as tea traders in 1924 under the name Hasmukhrai & Co., the family successfully transitioned into the packaged tea market in the late 1980s. Karan discusses how they avoid the "third-generation curse" by maintaining a lean, agile family structure and a relentless focus on quality over complacency. We dive deep into their vertical integration strategy—including building their own state-of-the-art milk factory—to ensure their "One Minute Tea" remains true to the authentic Indian palate. Whether you are a business enthusiast or a chai lover, this conversation offers a masterclass in brand longevity and fighting off multinational competition TAKEAWAYS- Legacy Meets Agility: Society Tea blends a 100-year heritage with agile, family-led leadership to outperform global multinational competition. Gut-Driven Brand Identity: Their iconic blue packaging was a "gut feel" decision that successfully defied negative market research and surveys. Control Through Integration: The company built a dedicated milk factory to ensure their "One Minute Tea" premix remains true to authentic chai. Convenience Without Compromise: Their innovation focuses on delivering speed without sacrificing quality by using real ingredients like hand-crushed cardamom. The Sensory Comeback: Society is expanding physical "Tea Terminals" to revive the traditional, sensory ceremony of chai for modern consumers.From decoding your personal finances to demystifying business models, Paisa Vaisa delivers candid, insightful, and jargon-free conversations.Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, JioSaavn, Gaana & more Watch full episodes right here on YouTubeExplore more at ivmpodcasts.comConnect with Anupam Gupta: Twitter: @b50Instagram: @b_50 LinkedIn: Anupam Gupta Follow IVM PodcastsWe’re @ivmpodcasts on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sailesh Jain, fund manager at Tata Asset Management who runs arbitrage strategies, breaks down how arbitrage works using a simple mango-market analogy. He explains why higher volatility creates profit opportunities, how dividend and special-situation trades boost returns, and who benefits from arbitrage funds versus traditional savings. He also outlines risk controls, portfolio construction and the 2026 market outlook.

Mayank Bathwal, CEO of Aditya Birla Health Insurance, dives into the complexities of health insurance. He reveals that 15-20% of claims are tied to fraud, which impacts premium costs. Learn why cashless claims are the preferred choice and how personal involvement in your claims process can prevent rejections. Mayank also discusses wellness-linked policies that reward healthy lifestyles with potential premium returns. Plus, hear about the role of technology in evolving health management and the future of health coaching.

Amit Agarwal, Co-founder and CEO of NoBroker, shares insights from his journey to eliminate broker commissions in the real estate market. He discusses the complex dynamics of renting versus buying, emphasizing that renting often makes more financial sense due to low rental yields. Amit highlights key features of the Model Tenancy Act, which protects both tenants and landlords. He also tackles biases against tenants like bachelors and reveals how NoBroker generates revenue through services rather than data sales, all while offering advice on navigating the rental landscape.

Prashant Khemka, founder of White Oak Capital with global investing expertise, and Aashish Somaiya, CEO of White Oak AMC, discuss the transformative growth of the Indian market, highlighting the leap in SIP inflows to ₹30,000 crores monthly. They explore the evolving maturity of retail investors, the downsides of finfluencers, and the importance of relatable financial advice. Khemka predicts an 11% pre-tax return over the next two decades and emphasizes India's rich potential for bottom-up investment strategies, providing a roadmap for future wealth creation.

Join award-winning journalist Jonathan Guthrie, former head of the Lex column at the Financial Times, as he dives into the intricacies of investing in today's market. He explores the stark differences between the mature UK market and the evolving Indian financial landscape. Guthrie discusses the dangers of status-driven investing, the concept of negative compounding, and how to detect misleading sales metrics. He also shares insights on navigating the active vs. passive investing debate and offers a cautionary take on the current AI bubble.

"Popularity is the biggest risk in investing." George Joseph of ASK Investment Managers has seen the 1991 scam, the 2000 tech bubble, and the 2008 crash. In this episode, he explains why the "hype" around certain sectors today is a massive red flag. If you think you can "time the market," George shares a sobering lesson from his own 30-year career. This episode is a reality check on Investor Temperament. We discuss why "boring" asset allocation is the only "magic wand" in wealth management and why Indians need to stop acting like traders and start acting like owners. Don't miss: The 3 books every serious investor must read to fix their mental models. KEY TAKEAWAYS The "5 Crore" Reality: You don't need a 100x multibagger. You need 12% returns and 25 years. A ₹25k SIP isn't just a saving; it's a retirement machine. "Popularity is the Enemy": If your neighbor, your barber, and your Instagram feed are all talking about a sector (AI/EV/Defense), the "easy money" has already been made. Be careful. The 85% Rule: ASK filters out 85% of the market based on "Governance" alone. If the management isn't ethical, the business growth doesn't matter. Boring is Beautiful: The wealthiest people in India don't trade daily. They buy high-quality "boring" businesses and let compounding do the heavy lifting. The "Black Swan" Preparation: You can’t predict a crash, but you can prepare. George reveals why shifting to Large Caps now is like buying insurance for your portfolio. Fix Your Brain, Not Your App: The biggest risk to your wealth isn't the market—it's your own panic. Asset allocation is the only "magic wand" that actually works.From decoding your personal finances to demystifying business models, Paisa Vaisa delivers candid, insightful, and jargon-free conversations.Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, JioSaavn, Gaana & more Watch full episodes right here on YouTubeExplore more at ivmpodcasts.comConnect with Anupam Gupta: Twitter: @b50Instagram: @b_50 LinkedIn: Anupam Gupta Follow IVM PodcastsWe’re @ivmpodcasts on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Paisa Vaisa, Anupam Gupta sits down with Akshat Seth, MD & CEO of BirlaNu. They deep dive into the 170-year legacy of the CKA Birla Group and how one of India's oldest conglomerates is transforming for the modern age. Akshat shares his personal journey from a decade in management consulting to leading major operating businesses in healthcare and manufacturing. If you are interested in business strategy, how large groups manage synergies, or want career advice on making the leap to the C-suite, this conversation is for you. We also discuss the massive rebranding of HIL to BirlaNu and the future of sustainable construction in India. Key takeaways The Quality Litmus Tests: Akshat uses the "Family Test" for healthcare (treat patients like family) and the "Home Test" for manufacturing (make products you'd use in your own home) to ensure excellence . From Consultant to CEO: The transition requires shifting from pure strategy to execution—specifically the ability to build businesses from scratch (0-100) and scale mature ones (100-1000) . Rebranding HIL to BirlaNu: The rename wasn't just cosmetic; it signals a strategic shift to connect with modern consumers who demand technology and sustainability . Conglomerate Strategy: The CKA Birla operates on professional management where individual CEOs run companies, bound together by shared values rather than micromanagement . Sustainability is Essential: Green manufacturing is no longer a differentiator but a "hygiene factor" necessary to compete in global markets like Europe and the US . Hiring Checklist: For leadership roles, Akshat prioritizes three traits: Hunger for growth, Ownership of the business, and Culture Match . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know that the addictive McDonald's Piri Piri mix or the Sour Cream & Onion flavor of Balaji Wafers were created by the man sitting in this chair? 🍟😲 In this episode of Paisa Vaisa, Anupam Gupta sits down with Ajay Mariwala, the visionary behind VKL Seasonings and Food Service India (FSIPL). Ajay is the "Secret Sauce" of the Indian food industry—literally! He shares the untold story of how his team beat global multinationals by a "mile and a half" to become India's #1 seasoning company. From flying to Valsad to pitch a new flavor to the owners of Balaji Wafers to turning his mother's pickle recipe into ITC Bingo’s iconic Achari Masti, Ajay reveals exactly how billion-dollar flavors are invented. We also dive deep into the brutal reality of the restaurant business. If you dream of opening a cafe, you need to hear Ajay’s "Head vs. Heart" advice , why 35% is the magic number for food costs , and the unique "Toilet Test" you must do before buying a franchise. Takeaways The Creator of Icons: Ajay’s team is responsible for creating the McDonald’s Piri Piri mix and Balaji Wafers’ Sour Cream & Onion flavor, beating global competitors. The QSR Golden Ratio: For a Quick Service Restaurant to be viable, food costs must stay between 33-35%. Rent should always be the second highest cost, not the first. Head Over Heart: Don't open a restaurant just because you love food. You need a 24-month cash runway because most restaurants fail in the first 9 months due to quality inconsistency. The "Toilet Test": The best way to judge a franchise's operational discipline isn't the food—it's the hygiene. If the toilet is clean, the kitchen is likely clean too. The Tier-2 Opportunity: Expansion in major metros (Mumbai/Delhi) is slowing due to high rents and saturation. The real ROI is now in Tier 2/3 cities where rents are 8-12% (vs. 15-20% in metros).From decoding your personal finances to demystifying business models, Paisa Vaisa delivers candid, insightful, and jargon-free conversations.Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, JioSaavn, Gaana & more Watch full episodes right here on YouTube Explore more at ivmpodcasts.com Connect with Anupam Gupta: Twitter: @b50 Instagram: @b_50 LinkedIn: Anupam Gupta Follow IVM Podcasts We’re @ivmpodcasts on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.