I wasn’t meant to meet Georgie Paul, but somehow, the universe conspired to bring us together, and I’ve not let that chance go.
This all started a few years ago. I was at Accel Partners India, where the VC firm was gearing up for a design overhaul. The partners wanted the office and the website to have a common identity, and our brainstorming session quickly transformed into a cacophony of ideas without a clear consensus. So, I contacted experts, hoping to find the spark to ignite our project.
One well-known designer, who shall remain nameless, spitballed various ideas with me. Ultimately, they opted out of the project due to conflicting commitments. However, they directed me to someone they knew who could help. “This designer,” the celebrity designer explained, “is excellent but can be, erm, picky.”
I’ve met many designers. I know some are busy, and some are indifferent. But I had never heard the word “picky” used before. Within minutes of our first call, I knew what that phrase meant. Georgie was quiet, but he listened. He asked thought-provoking questions that challenged my ideas. He didn’t want to take up the project until we had discussed the entire idea down to its bones.
A few days later, he came back with one design idea.
Once again: Designers usually give options. They have multiple ideas, and each idea spawns its design. This is standard operating procedure because design is subjective. For example, I love a good green polo, but others in my team dislike the colour and the collar. Designers anticipate that and allow themselves to think broader with the simple idea that different design options will enable you to dislike polos and love V-neck shirts instead.
But Georgie? He gave me just one design. I saw it, fell in love with it, and shared it with the partners without a note or feedback. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Since then, I’ve collaborated with Georgie across various organisations, but at SaaSBoomi, our relationship has grown deeper. Georgie is not just an exceptional designer but also kind-hearted and generous with his time. His commitment to supporting founders in our community is unparalleled. He could easily (and deservedly, might I add) attach a steep consultation cost. Yet, he often chooses to help India’s entrepreneurs for nothing, believing in our collective dream of transforming India into a product nation.
Most in our community know the zen version of Georgie, but a few of us are fortunate enough to have met the person behind the stylus. Recently, during an impromptu SaaSBoomi gathering in Bangalore, we called Georgie, who drove an hour from home in his brand-new car just to join us.
A few drinks in, Georgie had everyone laughing with his quips, becoming the life of the party. That evening, he revealed the vibrant side of himself I always knew existed. I can’t wait for the rest of the community to meet Georgie unleashed.
Here’s to many more, Georgie!
From the Author:
SaaSBoomi began in 2015 as a small gathering of ~50 founders, and today, with over 500 events across three countries and countless lives touched, we’ve only just scratched the surface.
None of this would have been possible without the unrelenting passion of our 125+ volunteers — the lifeblood of SaaSBoomi.
Their contributions go beyond effort; they’ve built a community bound by camaraderie, empathy, and a shared vision for a Product Nation.
Pay it FWD is my tribute to every pay-it-forward champion I’ve encountered on this incredible journey.
Their contributions to SaaSBoomi and the broader ecosystem have been immeasurable, yet there remains a story left to be told — one that echoes the impact they continue to create.
