Binu Girija is the founder and CEO of Way.com. He is responsible for building products that meet the needs of Way.com’s partners and users.
Way.com is an all-in-one app designed to simplify car ownership by offering a range of services, including parking reservations, auto insurance quotes, car wash schedules, auto loan refinancing, gas savings, and EV charger locator.
The app integrates these features into a single, user-friendly platform to save car owners time and money.
Before joining Way.com, he worked as an Enterprise Architect for BEA Systems, Oracle Corp, and Computer Sciences Corp. and managed the Enterprise Infrastructure, CRM, and Database teams.
He is the founder of several successful software companies, which continue to grow and prosper today. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Computer Science.
How did Way.com founded?
I was driving to San Francisco for a business meeting when I discovered that parking in another lot cost me three times more than the one I paid.
It was like a revelation. I realized that it wasn’t fair and that everyone should have access to all options.
How do you make your day more productive?
I will get up in the morning, make tea, and spend half an hour looking at things that interest me.
It’s my quiet time. After that, I get dressed and go to work. Meetings with my team start in the morning.
I then follow up with any items that need to be updated. I usually have lunch at around 3 p.m.
When I return home, I wash the plates. It is very relaxing.
It may have something to do with the water. However, it is a distraction that allows you to forget your thoughts.
It’s also great for my wife. Interestingly, Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos both do the same thing.
This was just what I read a few days back.
How can you bring your ideas to life?
I present the idea to my team and see if they are interested.
However, I don’t stop at providing limited feedback.
Before you start implementing an idea, it is essential to vet it thoroughly.
We were brainstorming an idea today, so I added several people to the conference call to hear from them.
It’s also essential to think about how we’ll get the first five customers.
If you don’t get those customers, it’s a waste of time.
Also, I try to implement new ideas with minimal technological resources.
Otherwise, engineers will waste too much time creating a product. You must hear from multiple people.
My wife is the smartest. It’s hard to impress her! She will always be cold, even if I think I have a brilliant idea.
Which trend is your favorite?
I am very excited about the global green movement and sustainability.
It is exciting to see the potential of EVs and solar.
With the pace at which we are moving, I believe the world will become much greener within ten years.
This will benefit everyone, from humans to animals to the planet.
This will result in fewer cases of cancer and fewer deaths. That is what I believe.
Which habit makes you more productive as an entrepreneur than another?
I scribble! I enjoy writing; it helps me think.
What advice would your younger self give you?
Keep innovating. Many problems need to be solved around the world.
Listen to your children. They are intelligent and provide thoughtful answers.
They learn things faster than anyone else. They must have access to resources.
My son said that he would have 20 CEOs and 20 companies when he grew up.
He believes that one of these companies is all you need to succeed and work for your company.
We need to hear something you believe is accurate and that nearly everyone agrees with.
I’m a very positive guy. When there are problems, I can get very hot-tempered.
But, I keep my cool and see the silver lining in everything.
Problem-solving is what I love. I will keep looking for solutions until I find one.
I tell my team at work to bring their solutions, and I will collaborate with them on finding better solutions. Then we become true partners.
What is one thing that you recommend to everyone as a successful entrepreneur?
Keep trying. Learn from your mistakes and move on. You can correct this and go back to the drawing board.
Do not let failure get you down. Take a closer look at the situation.
Take a look at your failures and do a post-mortem.
Take it step-by-step again to see where you could have done it better.
Which strategy has been most successful in growing your business?
It is essential to ensure that there is a market for your product.
You will fail if there isn’t a demand or need for what you offer.
Way.com was an example of a car app that people can save money.
This app was created to meet the need of people who spend a lot on car services.
How did you overcome that failure as an entrepreneur?
I am a hard-code engineer and love technology. At one of my startups, I attempted to assume an engineering role but forgot my responsibility as an entrepreneur.
My energy was focused on solving technology problems, and I neglected my more critical role.
It is a process. The transformation from a tech entrepreneur into a business entrepreneur is a process.
Which business idea would you be willing to share with our readers?
Although I have many ideas, I don’t want anyone to fail because of one of my ideas.
Do not chase after other people’s ideas. It must be your heart.
Which was the most expensive $100 you spent recently? Which and why?
It’s not hundreds. These days, there are always thousands!
Which piece of software or web service can you use to help you be more productive?
My phone is the most productive tool I have.
Which book would you recommend to our community? Why?
“Who Moved My Cheese” is a book I recommend because it teaches you how to deal with change at work.
Which quote is your favorite?
My current favorite is “Failure can only be an opportunity to begin again and use data for beating your emotions.”
What could the Key Learnings “Binu Girija” offer to Enterprenuer readers?
Innovation and improvement are always possible.
Sometimes, the solutions to problems are right in front of you.
Spend some time listening to the people around you and those you don’t normally interact with daily.
Every person brings a different perspective.
Be confident in your abilities, but be realistic about whether there is a market for your product/idea.