At Brilliant Read Media, it is our constant endeavour to identify and share some of the unique and compelling stories from the startup ecosystem. As part of this, we invited Serah John for an interview with Brilliant Read Media. To say further, Serah is an Entrepreneur and Founder & CEO of Music Pandit, an innovative online music education platform that’s transforming how children learn music across the globe. With a background in engineering and an MBA from the University of Rochester, USA, Serah blends creativity, structure, and entrepreneurial vision. She has been featured on Shark Tank India Season 4, and Music Pandit has been incubated at NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore and the prestigious Stanford Seed Spark program – also winning grants from both programs. Her mission is to make quality music education engaging, accessible, and impactful for every child, regardless of geography. Let’s learn more about her background, inspiring journey so far and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Serah:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
I come from a background in engineering and business management, with early experiences in the corporate world that taught me structure and discipline. But the entrepreneur in me was always drawn to solving real-world problems.
My journey took a pivotal turn when I decided to address a gap I personally experienced as a child—uninspiring music education. That led to the founding of Music Pandit, a structured and engaging online music learning platform for children.
Since then, we’ve been incubated at NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore, selected for the Stanford Seed Spark Program, and featured on Shark Tank India Season 4, all of which have helped us grow and validate our vision on a national and global scale.
How did you discover your passion?
My passion was born out of frustration and curiosity. I had an early interest in music, but the way it was taught—through rigid theory and outdated methods—left me disengaged.
Years later, after seeing how music education was approached abroad, I realised how much potential there was to transform this space, especially for kids. That personal experience became my spark.
The idea of creating something impactful and accessible, while marrying creativity with structured learning, was incredibly exciting, and that became the foundation of Music Pandit.
Who do you believe has been the biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
My motivation is anchored in the children and families we serve. Seeing kids who were once shy now perform confidently, or hearing from a parent that their child’s personality has blossomed through music—those are the real wins.
At the same time, being surrounded by a passionate team and being part of entrepreneurial ecosystems like NSRCEL and Stanford Seed has kept me inspired. They challenge you to think bigger and push your limits every day.
What are some of the strategies that you believe have helped you grow as a person?
Investing in mentorship and learning communities has been a game-changer. Being part of NSRCEL and Stanford Seed helped me step outside my business and look at it with fresh eyes. I’ve also made it a habit to reflect regularly, seek honest feedback, and build a team that brings diverse strengths to the table.
I also make it a point to surround myself with people who are better than me in their domains and remain open to unlearning and evolving. I strongly believe in learning through execution—perfect is the enemy of progress. That mindset has helped me evolve quickly and stay agile.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
Success is rarely about talent alone—it’s about grit, consistency, and clarity. I’ve learned that having a strong “why” keeps you grounded when things get tough. It also helps to be resourceful and resilient, especially when building something new.
Leveraging opportunities like Shark Tank India gave us momentum, but what sustains success is the day-to-day discipline, the willingness to learn, and staying focused on creating real value for your users.
What advice would you give to our readers?
a) Don’t wait for everything to be perfect before you begin—start now, start small, and stay committed.
b) Entrepreneurship is messy and unpredictable, but incredibly rewarding if you’re driven by purpose.
c) Surround yourself with people who challenge and support you, seek out communities like NSRCEL or Stanford Seed that help you grow, and keep learning.
d) Most of all, build with heart—your passion and authenticity will set you apart.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
