Here's what Nando's CEO learnt from Steve Madden and Diesel founder Renzo Rosso

Sumeet Yadav, CEO of restaurant chain Nando’s India believes that what binds successful entrepreneurs like shoe brand founder Steve Madden or fashion brand Diesel’s founder Renzo Rosso is their passionate involvement. Yadav met the two men when he was working on their brands before he joined Nando’s.

Yadav says, “Renzo used to look into the design of each Diesel store and personally sign them off. He had a top architect and a CEO, but he would still be involved. Steve Madden too used to be on the streets half the time, just observing the kind of shoes people were wearing. That was his inspiration.” Rosso, recollects Yadav, had a remarkable memory.

“Renzo would instantly recognise a person he’s met before. And he’d know each of the 200 odd denims and 500 odd shoe styles from his brand. And if Renzo thought that your fashion sense was not up to the mark, he’d let you know it,” Yadav said with a laugh.