Arjun Mahadevan

doola

On Deck

Fellow, Cohort 1

Dropbox

Previously
- Growth Analyst - Retention & Business Development
- Product Manager for the Product Safety Detection and Response Team (PS DART)

Product Manager, Growth 

The Wharton School

Venture Capital and Entrepreneurial Management Teaching Assistant

Morgan Stanley

Institutional Equity Rotational Program intern with assignments across five desks including Index/ Dispersion Trading, Single Name Option Trading, Derivative Sales Trading, ETF Trading, and Cash Trading.

Winner of the Morgan Stanley Summer Challenge 2015, a private stock picking game for the 50 members of the Morgan Stanley Summer Analyst program.

Institutional Equity Sales and Trading Summer Analyst

Coded with SAS to match Fed balance sheet purchases with investors' trades in treasuries / other securities and performed research to evaluate the efficacy of Quantitative Easing

Wharton Public Policy Initiative Finance Research Intern

Toptal

(Formerly known as Skillbridge) Sales and marketing intern at a startup in the Highland Capital summer incubator.

Sales and Marketing Intern

Ivy Global Education

SAT Instructor

Vector Marketing

$16,000+ in career sales in two months and achieved $10,000 Push Week sales goal.

Awarded New England Division Overall Office Top 3 Salesman Award.

SR4- Senior Advisor Sales Representative

Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard

Identified genetic variants causing Osteosarcoma in racing greyhounds. Created and published a scientific research poster explaining my work.

Full-time Scientific Research Intern, Vertebrate Genomics Biology Group

Arjun is the Founder & CEO at doola.com and the host of the 15-minute founder podcast. Before that, Arjun started on the Data & Analytics team at Dropbox before moving to Product Manager on the Growth team. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania where he completed a dual degree between The Wharton School and The College of Arts and Sciences, concentrating in Statistics and majoring in Mathematics.

Outside of work, he's into health & fitness, LLCs, and Boston sports.

Co-Founder

Hot take (please don't cancel me): Balance is overrated*

The greatest of all time weren’t “balanced.” They were obsessed and their results show it:

• Picasso created 1 new artwork every day for 71 years

• Michael Phelps trained 7 days a week for 6 years straight

• Jerry Seinfeld wrote jokes daily for 40 years

• Thomas Edison averaged 1 new patent every 11 days for 40 years

• Arnold Schwarzenegger trained 5 hours/day for 15 years

My takeaway?: Savage consistency → Savage results.

This isn’t hustle culture, to me it's about finding your purpose.

Because ultimately, when you love what you do so much it feels like play, you want to go all in.

My learning lesson from studying these greats: If you’re chasing greatness, stop looking for balance, start looking for that thing worth being obsessed about, that's what these people did.

*Note: that doesn't mean you need to be 100% on one thing. Make sure to fill the important cups in your life. But I do think less is more, and the greats in any field did 1 thing for an obscenely long amount of time / hours.

Talks about #llc, #fintech, #brandbuilding, #entrepreneurship, and #smallbusinessadvice

CEO of @doola The Business-in-a-Box™ for E-Commerce | LLC Formation | Bookkeeping | Business Taxes | Analytics Your E-Commerce back office. Simplified.

What really happens after Y Combinator?

Most founders think it ends at Demo Day. They’re dead wrong.

In the video below, I break down the secret post-batch YC playbook:

- How to still get 1:1 time with YC partners
- Bookface. Hacker News. $100K+ in perks
- The real power of the YC network (6,000+ founders)
- Why YC still opens doors years later

Demo Day isn’t the end. It’s just the beginning.

Watch now to unlock the full YC flywheel. 👇

We’re told that hard work is the key to success. But here’s the truth most people miss: hard work is psychologically risky, and that risk is exactly why so many people never go all in.

In this video, I break down the real reason entrepreneurs self-sabotage through what I call the Self-Protection Trap, and how the top 1% overcome it to unlock insane levels of success.

If you're building something big, this might be the mindset shift you need to finally go all in.

Watch more content like this on my YouTube Channel: https://lnkd.in/eKr9rBmt

FREE LLC PULLUP CHALLENGE: If you do 23 or more strict form wide grip pullups in the next 24 hrs, comment your video below for a FREE LLC.

PS: Pullups have two huge major benefits, which is why I got this contraption in the doolaHQ office ↓ 

𝟏. 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐩 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐥𝐥-𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲

- I learned this from Peter Attia in his book Outlive.

- Hanging from a pull-up bar is an incredible way to improve grip strength.

- Attia talks about training for the "Centenarian Decathlon" - maintaining physical capabilities to perform essential life tasks at 100 years old. Strong grip is fundamental for:

-- Carrying groceries
-- Opening jars
-- Getting up from the ground
-- Preventing falls (ability to catch yourself)

→ I'd like to live until I'm 100+ and do all of these things at this age


𝟐. 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐚𝐲

- There's a phrase "sitting is the new smoking"... You probably in an office job sit for 8-12+ hours a day...

- Sitting compresses your spine and intervertebral discs throughout the day

- Hanging creates gentle traction that helps decompress the spine

- This can relieve pressure on discs and may help with lower back discomfort

- Prolonged sitting typically leads to:

-- Rounded shoulders
-- Forward head position
-- Tight chest muscles
-- Kyphotic (hunched) upper back

→ Hanging opens up the chest, stretches the lats, and encourages better shoulder positioning

Elite sports teams. Military units. What do they have in common?

They execute at the highest level because they speak the same language.

At doola, we built a company-wide glossary; 20 terms that eliminate confusion, create alignment, and let us operate like a pro NFL team.

These aren’t buzzwords. They’re the backbone of how we move fast and win. 

Think about it: why should only sports teams have "plays" and "signals".. shouldn't your business as well?

In this video, I break down all 20 terms so you can steal the playbook for your own team: Vision, Rocks, Measurables, GWC… and more.

Shared language = speed, execution, results.

Watch the full video, our version of "doola's NFL playbook" 👉 https://lnkd.in/empmnPH7

TRUE LIFE: ADDICTED TO BUSINESS MODELS

Want to launch a clothing brand with zero inventory?

That’s the power of Print-on-Demand.

In this video, I break down the framework that gets you from idea → first sale and tools & tips to scale fast.

Whether it’s merch, fashion, or your next big idea, this is how to start lean and win big.

Learn how doola handles your LLC, banking, taxes + more: https://lnkd.in/erCq8ePS

99% of people scroll past opportunity.

The top 1%? They’re subscribed to this email.

Every week, I drop a battle-tested business hack that’s worked for me, or one I wish I knew 5 years ago.

2 minutes. Zero fluff. Just execution. ⚡ 

Join the movement → https://lnkd.in/eAv8nSzN

Your org chart might be killing your momentum.

Politics. Confusion. “I thought they were doing it…”

We hit 10,000 founders served globally by throwing out the traditional org chart and using something better: the Accountability Chart.

It changed everything for our team, and it can for yours too.

🔧 Real examples

🔁 A repeatable 5-step process

🏁 Lessons from NASCAR pit crews

📈 And why structure must come before people

If you're serious about scale, start here.

Watch more content like this on my YouTube Channel: https://lnkd.in/eKr9rBmt

Discipline → Consistency → Results → Momentum.

Most people ask: “What’s the #1 skill every founder needs?”

Some say luck.
Some say vision.

But honestly? It’s discipline.

Because discipline fuels consistency.
And consistency builds momentum.
And momentum makes everything easier.

In business. In health. In life.

That’s the real flywheel.

More stuff like this during my LinkedIn LIVE on Tuesdays at 11:30AM EST. Let’s build.

Motivation isn’t magic.
It’s momentum.

Mark Builds Brands shares why the fastest way to stay motivated is to keep moving, no matter how small the step.

I’ll finish with my favorite harsh truth about startups: there is no treading water, you're either drowning or swimming ahead, there is no "treading water."

Keep moving. Keep taking steps. Action leads to motivation.

Your LLC is approved. Congrats. Now let's talk about the stuff that actually matters.

I watch founders pop champagne when their LLC paperwork comes through like they just IPO'd.

Trust me, I get the excitement (it's a magical moment). But that dopamine hit is dangerous because it makes you think you're done when you're literally just getting started..

Here's what nobody tells you: the second your LLC goes live, you're now running three mission-critical operations that will either fuel your growth or kill your business:

Cash flow management → You need to know exactly how much money you have, where it's going, and how long it'll last. Not "roughly" or "I think we're good." Exactly. Because the moment you lose visibility on cash flow, you lose control of everything else (trust me on this, I have some painful battles scars from it happening).

Tax compliance → Federal, state, quarterly, annual, it never stops. And here's the kicker: the government doesn't care that you're "just getting started." Miss a deadline and they'll hit you with penalties that can gut a young business (yup, learned that one the expensive way too).

Sales tax nexus → This is the silent killer for e-com brands. Hit certain thresholds in different states and boom, you owe sales tax in places you've probably never been to. The rules shift constantly, and "I didn't know" isn't going to save you. 

Most founders think they'll figure this out as they go.. But here's my candid take: that's like saying you'll learn to swim while you're drowning.

That's why we built doola's Business-in-a-Box™. We don't just get you set up and ghost you and throw you to the wolves with a checklist of things to do. 

We handle your books, manage your taxes, and keep you bulletproof on sales tax compliance, so you can focus on building something that actually matters instead of scrambling to keep the lights on.

Because here's the truth: filing paperwork doesn't make you a CEO.

Building systems that scale, staying ahead of compliance, and keeping your cash flow clean; that's what separates the businesses that make it from the ones that become cautionary tales.

Remember: SYSTEMS > goals.

Your goal: make sure your business survives long enough to actually win.

Your system 👉 doola's Business-in-a-Box™: https://lnkd.in/eAYjj68P

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IYKYK: Monk Mode. GHOST MODE.

“Going ghost was the best decision I ever made.”

At 18, he was still in university.

While his friends were going out, he locked myself in his room.

No parties. No dinners. No distractions.

Just one goal:

Make it work, no matter what.

Started hitting $1,000 days with his dropshipping store.

Agency was doing $6–7K/month.

People called it luck.

But luck doesn’t show up when you’re out partying.

Sometimes the most productive season of your life looks like you disappeared.

Watch the full 15 Minute Founder episode: https://lnkd.in/e7v44hxm

Harsh truth for early founders:

If you’re serious about your business, even if it’s just making a few hundred or thousand dollars a month, you shouldn’t be a sole proprietor... 

Here's why:
Forming an entity isn’t JUST for legal protection.

It’s a signal, to yourself and others, that you’re serious. Simply put, you are more serious if you take that extra step, and that helps you actually execute with more confidence and seriousness.

Want more blunt, no-fluff founder advice like this?

🎥 Join me LIVE right here on LinkedIn every Tuesday at 11:30am EST. Bring your questions, get real answers, I seriously will answer anything in the live chat.

The founders who win aren’t always the smartest.

Or the most funded.

Or the most experienced.

They’re the ones who keep moving, even when it’s hard, even when no one’s watching.

Tiny wins → Daily reps → Unstoppable momentum.

That’s the game.

Tag a founder who’s in motion.

Billy McFarland with PYRT

This week’s LIVE was a hit. Let’s do it again.

Every Tuesday, I’m going LIVE. No scripts. No filters. Just you, me, and the real stuff founders are actually dealing with.

This isn’t one of those “I’ll answer 2 questions then pitch you something” type lives. I’m here to jam with real builders.

Every Tuesday

11:30am EST

Right here on my LinkedIn Page.

Show up. Ask the hard questions. Let’s get tactical.

LLC you Tuesday. Let’s build.

One ad can change EVERYTHING.

The right offer, the right creative, the right audience, suddenly your business isn’t just growing… it’s doubling.

The difference between slow growth and explosive momentum?

Testing. 

Targeting.

Taking action now.

What’s the ad you haven’t launched yet?

Remember, you are ONE. CREATIVE. AWAY.

My favorite example of this is Dollar Shave Club. They launched ONE ad which truly propelled them to their massive exit. You've probably seen the ad, if you haven't you should check it out. 

Remember, you are ONE CREATIVE AWAY.

10,000 Founders Later; Common Threads - Live Q&A

Join Arjun Mahadevan, doola's CEO, LIVE for a Weekly Q&A. ⚡️

No gatekeeping. No fluff. Just real, tactical advice.

When: Every Tuesday
Time: 11:30am EST
Where: Right here on our YouTube channel.

Join live to get your questions answered in real time.

Let’s build.

---
THE 2-MINUTE BUSINESS HACK TO SCALE FASTER:
Every week, get one powerful business hack—tested, proven, and ready to implement.
https://lnkd.in/eVzGaWmv

We’re all busy.

Slack’s buzzing. Emails piling up. Meetings back-to-back.

But real question:

Are you moving the needle or just moving?

As a founder, it’s easy to confuse motion with progress. Productivity isn't about checking boxes, it's about making decisions, shipping, and solving for scale.

Every day, ask yourself:

“What did I actually build today?”

PS: Here is my favorite productivity hack(s)

1. If it takes 2 minutes or less, DO IT NOW
2. Use the eisenhower matrix to actually put tasks into the right bucket

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