The Power of Love

In Business classes at school and colleges, I was told that people start a business for 7 reasons. The mnemonic for this was GET CASH and that is true in today's world. Today, people believe that success is all about profits. However, I disagree, because from what I've learnt from my father success is about Love.

That's right. In a world obsessed with Financial Reports, I'm here to tell you that love is not just reserved for a Valentine's Day Dinner Date. It's also a top-tier life strategy. At Pickup Group, our philosophy is "Work Hard, Win Hearts," and let me tell you, it's the secret sauce that I live by as well.

Here's a little glimpse into my beliefs:

Love is Respect.

When I was a kid, my father had a bizarre but strangely wise morning ritual. While I waited for the school bus, he’d take me to the lawn to water the plants and make me bow and say “namaste” to each one. At the time, I didn't think too much about it, but saw it as my own way of spending time with him. But years later, I realised my father wasn’t just teaching me to respect plants—he was teaching me to respect everything and everyone.

That respect translates into how we run Pickup Group today. It’s why we treat our customers like family (not just transactions). When you work hard and treat people with respect, you build relationships that last longer than just one sale. As I reply to our Google Reviews, I often find little anecdotes from customers, who are the 3rd generation Pickup Honda family members. It's truly wonderful.

1. Customers Are Family—Literally

At Pickup Group, we don’t just sell vehicles. We sell experiences… of feeling like you’re family. That’s why we treat our customers like family—because they are. My dad’s mantra is simple: “Whatever we have is thanks to the people who choose to support us.” And by “people,” he means family members—you know, the kind that may be upset with you sometimes, but hey, you still love them.

For me, that means when I’m writing social media posts for Pickup Honda, I never refer to it as “our dealership.” Nope. I've always been instructed to write “your own dealership,” because our customers are family. Everything we have is theirs.

In both family and business, this approach strengthens bonds and fosters deep trust. When you work together, there are going to be days when a family member may yell at you due to work pressure. I know a lot of feminists will hate me for this, but it's okay. At the end of the day, they are family. So, learn to let it go and don't take things personally. Whether you're at home or with a customer, love creates a foundation where people feel seen, valued and respected.

2. Work Hard, Win Hearts

Maybe it's just because I'm slightly older and wiser (haha), but I'm learning to embody the philosophy my father inculcated in me years ago.

At Pickup Group, we work hard to deliver excellence, but winning hearts is what truly sets us apart. It's about the extra mile - going beyond expectations, not because we have to, but because we want to.

This principle obviously works just as well at home. No, you don't need to throw a party for your loved ones everyday (although now that I think about it, this is a great idea). But love is shown in the little things: like me letting go of all my work stress and greeting my father with a smiling face when he comes home, because I know his day was probably a lot more hectic than mine. It's in asking your loved ones how their day was, or cooking something special for them. Love is about connection and whether it's family or business, people like to feel cared for.

3. Leadership by “Bacche” (Yes, Seriously)

It's pretty interesting that what the western world is realising today is something we've known for years in India. While I was in College, I was told about the concept of a paternalistic leadership style that was founded in the recent years. However, I've seen it for years.

My father's leadership style has always been paternal. If you're fortunate enough to work for him, as I am, you're not just an employee - you're "bacche," which means "my child." So if you're wondering if this is just a trick that's up his sleeve, it isn't. He genuinely thinks of all employees as family. His approach builds trust, loyalty and a sense of belonging within the team.

After all, this is not very different from the way a family functions. In a family dynamic, it's crucial to know when to lead and when to follow. Remember, there's a lot of work, yes, but there's also a lot of love - and when love is in the mix, then there should be no contention. In life, it's only your family members that will celebrate you in happiness, but guide you when you're in the wrong.

4. A Legacy of Love (and Maybe a Little Less Discipline)

Love isn’t just something you do once in a while—it’s something that builds a legacy. For all of us, Pickup Group is not just a business, it's a legacy of values.

I remember how much I cribbed when my Business Management Teacher in IGCSE would stress on the importance of Vision and Mission statements. At the time, I thought it was the most boring topic in the book, but today, it's one of my strongest beliefs. Every time I'm confronted with a key business decision, I remember our company philosophy and things just get so much easier.

This is a concept that holds true in a family as well. Being a part of a family means that you show up consistently, even when things get tough. Love is the fuel that helps you stay patient during those sticky moments, when things get heated. Remember, effort is key. The effort we put into loving one another at home is exactly what we should aim to do for our customers: consistent care and understanding, no matter what.

5. Love Languages: Yes, They’re Real, and They’re Definitely Business-Worthy

Here’s the thing about love: we all speak different “languages.” And it’s not just romantic relationships that get affected by this—your family members (and your customers) might have wildly different ways of showing affection.

I realized this after reading The 5 Love Languages, a book that opened my eyes to how people express love in ways that aren’t always what we expect. For example, my love languages are words of affirmation and physical touch. I like to hug my father every day and I’m all about saying, “Good morning, I love you,” first thing. But my father? His love language is acts of service—he’s happiest when I cook him a meal.

My mom’s love language? Physical touch and gift-giving. She lights up when you give her a hug—or a thoughtful gift. My sister? Well, her love language is a complex cocktail of gift-giving, and if I give her something that reminds me of her, she’ll treasure it for years.

The point is, everyone’s different—and if you want to genuinely show love, whether to your family or customers, you’ve got to learn their language. It’s not about how you want to show love, it’s about how they want to receive it. Honestly though, if you love them, put in that extra effort. I'm probably a big 'cheeseball' (as my sister calls it), but I love seeing my family happy. That's what makes me happy, so I don't mind putting in that extra effort.

Conclusion: Love Wins the Race (But Don’t Forget the Profits)

I learnt this lesson the hard way, but in business, loving people isn't always the fastest route to success, but it's still the most rewarding. But here's my secret: When you work hard, win hearts and show love, everything follows, whether it's love from your family or profits from your business. It's the best strategy I've ever learned and I'm learning to live by it.

Whether you’re running a family business or just trying to keep peace, love is the secret ingredient. So go ahead—show up with empathy, hug a few people, and speak the love languages that matter most. After all, love is the only strategy that never fails—unless, of course, you forget someone’s birthday. Then you might be in trouble.