In this article, Puneet Gupta OBE, co-owner and CEO of the global import-export business PG Paper, with ventures in property, healthcare and hospitality, reflects on life as an entrepreneur, sharing his inspirations, successes and lessons learned across multiple ventures.
Is there a Formula for Entrepreneurial Success?
I don’t think any shortcuts exist to entrepreneurial success. Achieving overnight success has taken me years of determination and hard work. I’ve always been willing to learn, actively engage and listen to the advice of others.
During challenging times, resilience is vital. Increasing my fitness and focusing on my health over the last few years have also had a remarkably positive impact on my work. I’ve come to see that entrepreneurship is not just an external journey, but an internal one as well. Aligning the mind, body and spirit enables clearer thinking, more grounded decision-making and greater long-term fulfilment.
Generating New Ideas as a Serial Entrepreneur
Being open to learning and seeing things from different perspectives is essential as an entrepreneur. Education is a lifelong pursuit, and I take every opportunity to improve my knowledge and skills.
Leading an international business like PG Paper, I find that travel, cultural exposure and cross-border collaboration often spark fresh ideas. I’m also surrounded by ambitious, creative people who are encouraged to bring ideas to the table. I believe that by collaborating and sharing these ideas, we grow as individuals.
For example, I worked with a VC fund that specialises in early investments in Ed-tech, Fin-tech and Med-tech. This experience has helped me understand trends within these industries for the upcoming years and what’s to come. Beyond market trends, I’m increasingly inspired by ideas rooted in philosophy and intentional growth, where success begins with awareness and purpose.
Balancing Entrepreneurship and Family Life
Running your own business is a 24/7 commitment, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I especially hope that my daughters feel excited and supported to follow their own career paths and that my passion, dedication and hard work has positively influenced them over the years.
To maintain balance, I integrate mindfulness, exercise and reflection into my daily life. These habits are not just tools for personal wellness, they’re also practices that support presence, clarity and conscious leadership.
The Joys of Entrepreneurship
One of the most rewarding aspects of being an entrepreneur is the variety each day brings. Working across five continents, 60+ markets and a range of products, no one day is the same as the next. We work hard to open opportunities and new markets, meaning each day brings new and exciting challenges.
I’ve also met so many great people. The PG Paper team, customers and suppliers have all helped us grow into the company we are today. Many of them have been with us since the beginning. We may be working within the paper industry, but we are firmly a people business.
The great thing about being a successful entrepreneur is the chance to make a positive difference in people’s lives. We support many social and charitable organisations at PG Paper, both locally and globally. It gives my work a real sense of purpose – something I deeply value. For me, the true measure of success is not just what we build, but how many lives we improve and the legacy we leave behind.
Puneet Gupta OBE is the co‑owner and joint CEO of PG Paper Company Ltd, one of Scotland’s leading and most respected paper import–export businesses.
