I logged in at 3:31 pm. Attendees were beginning to filter in, and the familiar ding of Zoom as each new participant was allowed to enter fused into one non-harmonious melody. Once we had all settled in, Madhumitha Mani introduced herself and explained why Chargebee had decided to host this webinar. This was 2022.
Throughout the webinar, I was impressed and amazed by Madhu. She was warm and welcoming. She chose her words carefully, and the way she carried herself made her extremely amicable. By the time the session ended, I had Googled Madhu and texted Krish to check if he could introduce her to the community.
My hunch proved accurate when I finally met her in Chennai at our volunteer lunch a few months later. She had instinctively taken up roles where she was helping people at the event. It may have been her first time at that meeting, but she glided effortlessly across the room when talking to people. She had made a hugely positive impression on people within minutes of meeting them. It played out a few minutes later when Kingston introduced her as a gregarious and warm person. And this was Kingston’s first time interacting with her!
Before we move on, I want to add a little context. As I have written in this diary multiple times, I understand that these social interactions can be intimidating for people. Introverts often struggle to reveal their true selves in these situations and need careful handling. I could have asked everyone to introduce themselves, but there’s a little catch. I’ve realised that introverts have a battery. If you make them speak in public, they’ll expend all their energy talking to the group and subsequently find other interactions stressful and exhausting. But most introverts like smaller groups of people; more importantly, they don’t mind talking about others. So, we created this solution, where each person tells one other person about themselves. And this new person introduces them.
And the rest, as they say, is history. Madhu has been an invaluable member of our community. She brings so much positivity to the table. Not only did she help us create an organisational structure, but she also formalised our processes and helped us establish a code of conduct. Her ability to guide us in expressing our ideas and philosophies has been invaluable. She has also been critical in designing our offsites. She has designed six of them. However, she has attended just one—Goa. I feel like very few people can resist the charm of Old Goa, her beaches, and the wild beauty.
She has now begun to reveal her true self to us. And the person revealed is exceptionally caring and thoughtful. Thanks to Madhu, we now have Neha, who is a fantastic addition to our team. Madhu served as the prototype, paving the way for others to follow. One of her remarkable qualities is her skill in providing constructive feedback without offending. This ability has contributed to our team’s development.
Madhu’s journey is a testament to the positive impact one person can have on a community. Her blend of warmth, support, and professionalism is a beacon for all of us.
Thank you, Madhu, for being part of our tribe. You, indeed, are one in a million!
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.
