The founder of a tech startup has ignited a significant discussion on social media after revealing he pays a staggering one lakh rupees per month to a professional home manager. Aman Goel, the brain behind GreyLabs, shared on X that this investment is crucial for managing his and his wife's demanding professional lives.
Why A Home Manager Became Essential
Aman Goel, an IIT Bombay graduate, and his wife, Harshita Tak, an IIT Kanpur alumna, are both deeply involved in building and growing their company, GreyLabs. The couple also lives with Goel's parents, adding another layer to their household dynamics. With their schedules completely packed, they found that daily chores were consuming valuable time and energy.
"We needed this because Harshita and I are both working professionals and don't have time for this," Goel explained. He emphasized that their primary goal is to channel all their focus into their venture, stating, "We want our full energy to be focused on building GreyLabs." They also did not wish to burden his elderly parents with the task of managing the household.
The Role and The Rationale Behind The High Salary
The home manager is not a typical domestic helper but a trained professional. Goel clarified that the individual previously served as the Operations Head for a hotel chain, bringing a high level of expertise to the role. Her responsibilities are extensive, encompassing food planning, wardrobe management, overseeing all repairs and maintenance, handling groceries and laundry, and coordinating with other service providers and house help.
Justifying the ₹1 lakh per month (₹12 lakh per annum) salary, Goel stated, "Expensive? Probably yes. But we value our time and can afford to pay, hence paying." He was clear that this is a conscious decision to delegate non-core activities so they can excel in their professional pursuits.
Social Media Erupts: Criticism and Defence
The revelation triggered a wave of mixed reactions online. Some critics accused Goel of frivolously "burning investors’ cash." Goel promptly dismissed these allegations, clarifying that the payment comes entirely from his personal account, funded by the millions of dollars he earned from selling his previous venture.
Other users questioned his life priorities, with one comment reading, "Don't be this man. Your life is way more important than any company you built." However, a strong contingent of supporters defended his choice. X user Srijan R Shetty applauded the move, noting that Goel is an "upstanding husband, son, employer" who ensures his parents are well cared for while he and his wife focus on their careers.
This conversation highlights a growing trend among India's urban working professionals who are beginning to assign a monetary value to their time and mental peace, opting to outsource household management to reclaim their focus for high-value work.
