Some people are visionaries.
Some are goal-oriented.
Some live by metrics.
And then there are those who move through the world guided by intuition—a superpower once you learn to trust it. But what is intuition, really? A mindset? A perspective? A practice? A process? An angel reminder? A God speak? Or a higher self whispering?
For me, intuition has always been a compass in my creative career. But there were times I ignored these gut feelings, voices, and signals. Stubbornly not listening to this inner voice and experienced the consciences. I’ve learned that designing my own career path requires trusting my intuition. Creating the practice of tuning in and actually putting it to action.
Which got me thinking, how can I leverage my intuition as a strategy for social strategy, business strategy, and life.
Sounds like someone I know with an ancestral heritage of intuitive entrepreneurship My long-distance best friend, Dipalie.
So for past couple of years I’ve come to India for bff suppport, hang out, and learn from her instinct, her contagious ability to see monetizable opportunities before they even exist. Our brainstorming sessions never end. She comes from a long lineage of entrepreneurs, a heritage of resilience, adaptation, and wealth-building. Might as well be Sindhi Bootcamp. Arguably one of the best entrepreneurial bootcamps. And it’s not a classroom or a co-working space. It was with my best friend.
Sindhi Intuition: The Art of Sensing Opportunity
A little about her history, Sindhis were merchants long before India’s partition in 1947, when the division of Pakistan and India split the Muslim and Hindu Sindhis, leaving them without a state to call their own. Unlike other Indian communities—Punjabis from Punjab, Gujaratis from Gujarat—Sindhis had to navigate survival in a world that didn’t automatically claim them.
But displacement breeds adaptability. And for Sindhis, that meant mastering the art of business. Being the first to bring money lending to india.
Much like the Jewish diaspora, they became citizens of the world, relying on sharp instincts, tight-knit networks, and a keen ability to spot opportunities. Their intuition isn’t just a feeling—it’s a strategy. They move fast, build practical businesses, and create marketing strategies that are opportunistic and performative. They’re hustlers, but not scammers—they just know how to ask for what they want and, more often than not, get it.
How to Use Intuition as a Business Strategy
Dipalie has taught me that intuition isn’t just about gut feelings—it’s about action. It’s about trusting your instincts enough to move, to ask, to adapt, and to seize opportunities before they pass you by.
Intuition without action is just a feeling.
Sindhis don’t just rely on intuition as a passive feeling—they use it as a strategy, one that has allowed them to thrive in business for generations. Here’s what I’ve learned from her and the Sindhi way of thinking:
1.Just Ask
You’d be surprised how many things in life are negotiable. A hotel upgrade, a discount, a business deal—many people don’t get what they want simply because they don’t ask. Sindhis understand that wealth isn’t just about working hard; it’s about working smart and knowing when to ask for more.
Dipalie and I once walked into a five-star hotel and casually asked for a complimentary room upgrade. She didn’t hesitate, she didn’t over-explain—she simply asked. And she got it. Not because she was entitled, but because she knew that in business (and in life), the answer is only no if you don’t ask.
2. Stop Doing Pro-Bono Work When You're Broke.
Generosity is great, but sustainability matters. Sindhis believe in investing their time wisely—helping others is important, but not at the expense of their own well-being. They’ve mastered the balance between being generous and knowing their worth.
Sindhi’s were pioneers in money lending in India.
When I was starting out, I would constantly take on free projects, hoping exposure would eventually lead to paid work. Dipalie told me, "If they can afford to pay, let them pay. Otherwise, they don’t value it." She was right. The moment I started speaking up for me and my boundaries, people respected my work more and paid accordingly.
3. Follow The Money, Not The Rules
The system tells you to wait your turn, apply through formal channels, and follow a structured path. Entrepreneurs don’t. Sindhis know that wealth is built by spotting where the money is moving and aligning themselves accordingly, rather than waiting for permission.
I once asked Dipalie how she spots new opportunities. She told me, "Watch where people are already spending, and find a way to make yourself essential in that space." That’s how Sindhi families often dominate in industries like money lending, textiles, jewelry, and real estate—by following market behavior rather than traditional career paths.
4. Own Your Ideas
A great idea isn’t enough—you have to claim it, protect it, and profit from it. Even a small stake in a business, a licensing deal, or a royalty agreement can turn into long-term wealth. Sindhis instinctively know how to structure deals that ensure they continue to benefit, even after they’ve left the room.
When a friend asked Dipalie for help naming their startup, she casually replied, "Just give me 1% royalties for the name." At first, they laughed. But when the business takes off, that 1% can become a significant payout for a single moment of insight.
5. Adaptation is Everything
Markets change. Trends shift. The best entrepreneurs sense the tide before it turns. Because Sindhis have historically been a displaced community, adaptation isn’t just a skill—it’s a survival instinct. They don’t get attached to outdated methods; they move where the opportunities are.
The rise of e-commerce disrupted many traditional businesses, but Sindhi entrepreneurs are quick to pivot. Dipalie is completely disrupting the fertility industry in India with Arva, strategically starting as an online company leveraging new age taboo busting digital marketing to bring buzz. Which is often the reverse in the medical industry. Once you have people’s attention in this economy you can sell whichever products. Adapting to the changing behaviors of humans and society is survival of the fittest.
6. Sustainable Effort Requires 2 Things: Consistency And Commitment
Success isn’t about short bursts of effort—it’s about showing up, day after day, even when progress feels slow. Sindhi entrepreneurs understand that business isn’t built overnight; it requires a long-term mindset, persistence, and the discipline to keep going even when the returns aren’t immediate.
Example: Many Sindhi families run multi-generational businesses, passing down not just wealth but work ethic and business acumen. They don’t chase overnight success—they build businesses that last. Whether it’s a wholesale trade empire, a chain of restaurants, or a financial services firm, their strength lies in staying the course, reinvesting profits, and expanding strategically rather than seeking quick wins.
Intuition tells you when to move, but consistency and commitment ensure that when the right opportunity comes, you’re ready to seize it.
Entrepreneurship is an Intuition Game
At its core, business success isn’t just about being the smartest or the hardest worker—it’s about having a feel for where the next opportunity is and the boldness to act on it. That’s what Sindhis have mastered for generations. And that’s what I continue to learn from them every time I return to this family in India.
But intuition isn’t just about quick decisions—it’s also about inner strength, resilience, and trust in your own instincts. To truly use intuition as a business strategy, you have to:
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Overcome challenges through calm but assertive power. The best entrepreneurs don’t react impulsively; they act decisively listening to their intuition.
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Resist short-term thinking. Intuition isn’t just about gut feelings—it’s about knowing when to hold steady and when to pivot.
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Intuition without action is just a feeling. Apply your willpower and see the results. When you commit to your instincts, you start to see real-world success.
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Own your choices. Opportunities don’t always come instantly, but those who trust their intuition stay the course and win in the long run. Develop inner strength and serenity to overcome obstacles.
At the end of the day, intuition isn’t luck—it’s a skill, a strategy, and a mindset. And once you learn to trust it, you realize that success isn’t about chasing—it’s about knowing where to stand and letting the right opportunities come to you.
