My dad retired last week after 25+ years building the company he founded. He cam
By Janvishah · October 30, 2026 · Curated by George's Blog
My dad retired last week after 25+ years building the company he founded. He came to this country with $500 in his pocket, started a factory, and lived out the American dream. And after a successful exit, I've been reflecting on how he taught me just as much about business as my Harvard Business School MBA ever did 💜
The most important lessons my dad taught me weren’t about sales or revenue. They were about how to build a legacy and have a lasting positive impact on the community you serve.
Here are 5 values I learned from him that we live by at Hue. today:
1/ Relationships are everything. 🤝
My dad believed that the CEO should personally know his customers. He was constantly on the road, meeting them face-to-face and building relationships that lasted decades.
He brought that same philosophy to his employees. Some worked alongside him for 20-30 years and grew the company together.
2/ Give back and lift others up. 💜
Whether it was supporting extended family, helping employees through financial hardship, or giving back to his community, he was incredibly generous with what he'd built.
This is something we've been talking about since the earliest days of Hue. Our Q4 theme is #HueGivesBack, where we're celebrating our team, making time for rest, and giving back to a charity our team chose.
3/ Your reputation is everything.
My dad built his business on honesty, integrity, and trust.
He taught me that doing the right thing isn't always the easiest or most profitable decision in the short term. But if you want to build something that lasts decades, your word has to mean something.
At Hue, that means being transparent with our customers, owning our mistakes, and doing whatever we can to make things right.
4/ Strive for excellence (even when you get a 95 😂).
Growing up, I'd proudly come home with a 95 on a test.
My dad's response?
"Why not 100?"
It's become a bit of a family joke, but it instilled in me a drive to always push myself to be better.
I'm grateful that my co-founders Nicole Clay and Sylvan Guo, and our team share that same drive. We're constantly pushing each other to raise the bar, challenge assumptions, and build something we're genuinely proud of.
5/ Pursue your passions and have FUN! 🏏
Anyone who knows my dad knows he's a HUGE cricket fan.
He recently competed (and won!) in the Masters Cricket USA tournament. Even while building a company, he never stopped making time for the things he loved.
It’s a reminder I need as a startup founder: on the weekends I enjoy biking (rode 200 miles from Seattle to Portland this summer!), skiing and hiking. And spending quality time with my friends, family and many foster cats 🐱
Happy retirement, Dad! Cheers to many more adventures 🥂 Chetan Shah
#poweredbyhue