Ever wondered what it takes to build enterprise-grade software from scratch—in the middle of a global crisis?

In this episode of The Priyanka Shinde Podcast, Priyanka sits down with Dipti Desai, CEO and Co-Founder of Crstl, a modern B2B commerce network helping brands, retailers, and logistics partners connect on a single digital platform.

Dipti shares her journey from product leadership roles at startups and global enterprises to founding Crstl in the thick of COVID-19. She opens up about the lessons behind building “minimum sellable products,” balancing vision with flawless execution, and leading with grit and empathy in a rapidly evolving AI era.

What you’ll learn:

• Why “Minimum Sellable Product > MVP” when launching in enterprise markets.
• How COVID led to the idea for Crstl.
• The power of execution — and why ideas mean little without a sound hypothesis.
• The leadership values that drive resilient, high-trust startup teams.
• Why hiring for traits like curiosity and judgment beats hiring for skills alone.
• What the next 3-5 years hold for specialists and generalists as automation reshapes work.

Whether you’re an early-stage founder, a B2B operator, or a product manager learning to scale, this conversation offers grounded, actionable insight on building in uncertain times.

⏱ Timestamps

0:00 – Intro
4:00 – The Leap to Entrepreneurship: What Sparked the Idea for Crstl
5:18 – Starting a Company in the Thick of COVID
20:20 – From MVP to MSP: Why the Bar Is Higher in B2B
27:37 – 1% Inspiration, 99% Execution — But Get Your Hypothesis Right
31:36 – The Power of Community and Support in the Founder Journey as Female Founder
39:30 – Hiring for Grit, Curiosity & Judgment

42:35 – Future of Work: Specialists vs Generalists in the AI Era
45:35 – Let Some Fires Burn: How Founders Stay Focused

Connect with Guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diptidesai/

Company: https://www.crstl.ai/

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Work with Priyanka Shinde
Read her Book - The Art of Strategic Execution

▶ About the Priyanka Shinde

I am an AI Product Leader and Execution Strategist with a proven track record of building, scaling, and delivering AI-powered innovations. With experience at Meta and Cruise, I have helped businesses leverage AI for growth, efficiency, and real-world impact. As an Executive Coach, Startup Advisor, Keynote Speaker, and Author, I am passionate about guiding leaders, entrepreneurs, and product teams to navigate the evolving AI landscape.
From developing cutting-edge AI solutions to mentoring the next generation of innovators, my mission is to bridge the gap between technology and execution—empowering businesses to thrive in the AI-driven future.

From Meta to a Portfolio Career: A Product Leader on Thriving in the AI Revolution

In a world of constant change and ambiguity, how do you build a career that's not just successful, but also fulfilling and resilient? In this episode of The Priyanka Shinde Podcast, host Priyanka Shinde sits down with Julia Stefani, ex-Chief Product Officer at Treasure Financial, for a deep dive into the strategies that have guided her remarkable career.

Julia, a seasoned product and business leader with experience at giants like Meta and in the fast-paced worlds of fintech and crypto, shares her unique approach to career development—viewing each step as a "use case" to be solved. She reveals her internal process for navigating career pivots, from engineering to technical program management and product leadership.

In this episode, you will learn:
- The #1 Skill for the Future
- The Portfolio Career
- From Big Tech to Startups
- Financial Independence for Women

Connect with Julia and check out her ventures:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliastefani/
• https://www.swolta.com/
• https://www.bunglo.co/

Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction & Key Themes
3:45 - Julia's Career Strategy & Pivots
9:30 - How to Navigate New & Unfamiliar Roles
12:26 - Lessons Learned from Big Tech vs. Startups
16:34 - The Framework for Building Trust
21:14 - The Portfolio Career & Entrepreneurial Journey
29:12 - Defining a "Portfolio Career"
32:35 - Treating Your Career Like a Series of "Tests"
38:10 - Why AI is the Most Important Skill for the Future
43:05 - Time Management & Financial Independence
48:46 - The Importance of Financial Independence for Women
53:35 - Advice for Women on Finance & Self-Belief
57:31 - The #1 Thing Julia Had to Unlearn in Her Career
1:00:12 - Advice for Designing a More Flexible, Self-Directed Life
1:02:28 - Final Thoughts

Send us a message

😎 Subscribe to The Priyanka Shinde Podcast for more fascinating conversations.
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📌 Follow:
Priyanka Shinde on LinkedIn
Priyanka Shinde's Facebook Page
Priyanka Shinde's Instagram Feed
Priyanka Shinde's Youtube Channel

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Work with Priyanka Shinde
Read her Book - The Art of Strategic Execution

▶ About the Priyanka Shinde

I am an AI Product Leader and Execution Strategist with a proven track record of building, scaling, and delivering AI-powered innovations. With experience at Meta and Cruise, I have helped businesses leverage AI for growth, efficiency, and real-world impact. As an Executive Coach, Startup Advisor, Keynote Speaker, and Author, I am passionate about guiding leaders, entrepreneurs, and product teams to navigate the evolving AI landscape.
From developing cutting-edge AI solutions to mentoring the next generation of innovators, my mission is to bridge the gap between technology and execution—empowering businesses to thrive in the AI-driven future.

Meta VP Prasad Bhandarkar on Leaving Safe Careers, Pivoting to Data Engineering, and Leading in the AI Era

Are you feeling stuck in your tech career? Wondering if you should make that risky jump to a new technology or a different role? In this episode of The Priyanka Shinde Podcast, we're joined by Prasad Bhandarkar, the Vice President of Reality Labs (AR/VR) Engineering at Meta.

With over three decades of experience, Prasad shares his incredible journey from a technical role at Tata Motors , through an MBA from IIM Lucknow , to pivotal leadership positions at Adobe and Meta.
- Why prioritizing learning over money is the key to long-term success.
- The hidden risks of inaction and why making hard calls is crucial for growth.
- How to know when's right time to transition in your career.
- The surprising feedback that transformed Prasad’s career trajectory at Adobe.
- Valuable leadership lessons on scaling teams from dozens to over 300 people.
- How to navigate decision-making with imperfect information.
- Prasad's perspective on the future of AI, AR/VR, and their impact on jobs.

Beyond technology, Prasad shares how his training as a classical Hindustani musician and his practice as a certified executive coach have shaped his leadership style.

Whether you're an engineer, product leader, or anyone navigating the fast-paced tech landscape, this conversation is packed with actionable insights and inspiration to help you elevate your leadership and execution skills.

Connect with Guest:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prasadbhandarkar/

Timestamps:
3:53 - Career Beginnings: Defining Moments at Tata Motors and The Decision for an MBA.
12:16 - The Big Pivot: Transitioning from Program Management to Engineering at Adobe.
20:45 - The Leadership Skill That Doesn't Scale Easily.
25:25 - The Surprising Challenges of Leading Senior, Brilliant Teams.
29:40 - How to Make Critical Decisions with Incomplete Information.
34:26 - Navigating "Loneliness at the Top" & Building a Support System.
40:34 - A Practical Guide to Creating Psychological Safety in Your Team.
45:25 - Hiring Senior Leaders: What to Look For Beyond the Resume.
49:45 - The Future of Technology: AI, AR/VR, and Their Societal Impact.
1:05:24 - Beyond

Send us a message

😎 Subscribe to The Priyanka Shinde Podcast for more fascinating conversations.
----------------------------------------------
📌 Follow:
Priyanka Shinde on LinkedIn
Priyanka Shinde's Facebook Page
Priyanka Shinde's Instagram Feed
Priyanka Shinde's Youtube Channel

----------------------------------------------

Work with Priyanka Shinde
Read her Book - The Art of Strategic Execution

▶ About the Priyanka Shinde

I am an AI Product Leader and Execution Strategist with a proven track record of building, scaling, and delivering AI-powered innovations. With experience at Meta and Cruise, I have helped businesses leverage AI for growth, efficiency, and real-world impact. As an Executive Coach, Startup Advisor, Keynote Speaker, and Author, I am passionate about guiding leaders, entrepreneurs, and product teams to navigate the evolving AI landscape.
From developing cutting-edge AI solutions to mentoring the next generation of innovators, my mission is to bridge the gap between technology and execution—empowering businesses to thrive in the AI-driven future.