The Vision of Pifo with Renewed Purpose

Have you ever felt like you lacked a sense of belonging in your professional community? That's exactly where I found myself, and it became the catalyst for a transformative journey.

Five years ago, I founded the Product Innovators Foundation (shortly and cutely called as #PiFo) to create the community I yearned for - a place where knowledge workers could truly belong and grow every day.

I immersed myself in doing what I loved: conducting masterclasses, running book clubs, facilitating cohorts and communities, running challenges like WriteIn and MM10P, and writing extensively about community design and safe spaces. I experimented, learned, and found my happy place. But something was missing - the compounding factor and stability.

As one person, I could only do so much. The larger purpose of belonging and betterment was there from day one, but I struggled to crystallize it. At times, #PiFo took a backseat. As a purist, I resisted when things didn't go as planned. This lack of consistent momentum was challenging, and it didn't feel like the committed entity I envisioned.

The complexities of running a Section 8 company in India almost led me to give up. But when I learned that closing a foundation was nearly impossible, it felt like the universe was insisting I continue with #PiFo.

After intense soul-searching in late 2024, I've recommitted to its vision with renewed purpose:

1. Mission: Bring belonging and betterment to knowledge workers.

2. Approach: 7Cs - Community, Cohorts, Courses, Challenges, Content, Conference, and Coaching. Eg : BetterU, PiFo Mentor Circles, Masterclasses, Workshops and more.

3. Promise: Address gaps in traditional education and professional development using first principles. Make growth accessible to all through affordable, impactful offerings.

4. 2025 Focus: Start with BetterU, Coaching, Mentor Circles, and Masterclasses.

Starting small but dreaming big, I'm embarking on this journey as a one-person foundation, hoping to find fellow travelers along the way.

As 2024 closes with 130+ registrations for Better U, I'm excited for what's ahead. Here's to building a community where every maker finds their third place and path to growth.