Growing in Silence: The Naushad Parpia Approach to Startup Success
Many startups today are growing rapidly without utilizing a public relations or marketing plan.

This style of growth is often referred to as "silent scaling" in the startup business world. One such founder using this method effectively is entrepreneur and innovator Naushad Parpia. These companies focus on building strong products rather than trying to garner public attention. Their teams work quietly, fixing problems and improving services based on user feedback. Instead of big launches, they grow slowly through word of mouth or happy customer referrals. Silent scaling may appear unexciting from the outside, but it fosters solid and long-term success. Startups often avoid flashy events, media interviews, or ads to maintain a focus on operations.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Why Skip PR
- Product First Approach
- Building With Focus
- Customer-Led Growth
- Real-Life Examples
- Benefits of Silence
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Words
- Why Skip PR
Most early-stage founders avoid PR because it costs time, money, and mental effort. They want to build products, hire strong teams, and serve users before seeking fame. Public attention may also bring pressure or invite competitors before the company is ready. Founders fear they will overpromise in the media and underdeliver to actual paying customers. PR often creates a distraction, as startup teams shift focus from users to the press. Silent companies avoid hype and make sure their service speaks louder than press releases. This way, growth is real and measurable, not driven solely by temporary media attention. Many investors now prefer this slow but stable kind of scaling from new founders.
Product First Approach
Silent startups prioritize product quality and user satisfaction above all else. They improve features quickly, fix bugs fast, and respond kindly to user questions. These teams collect feedback quietly and improve based on real-world customer experience only. No marketing message can replace a tool that solves a painful, daily business problem. Product-first startups continue to work even when nobody is watching or writing about them. They often build better tools because they are closer to their users' daily needs. This close connection builds strong loyalty and keeps users coming back again and again. Every happy customer becomes a free promoter who tells others without being asked.
Building With Focus
PR-free startups enjoy fewer distractions and can focus fully on building every day. They do not spend energy planning events, interviews, or news announcements every month. Founders keep their teams small and workflows simple to allow for natural growth. This lean method reduces stress, avoids mistakes, and saves a significant amount of money early on. Silent scaling also helps companies stay private and avoid legal risks or public criticism. Founders feel less pressure to grow too fast just to meet public expectations. Focus brings stability, and stability leads to consistent growth month after month. This gives companies enough time to build strong teams and learn from early feedback.
Customer-Led Growth
Startups that skip PR often grow by listening to customers and improving what matters. They build what users ask for instead of chasing headlines or media popularity. Support tickets and user chats become goldmines of information for new product ideas. Instead of relying on social media, these companies focus on customer reviews and referrals for growth. Each new user helps refine the product and attract more users with similar needs. Customer success becomes the company’s most powerful form of silent marketing. Even without ads, real user stories help bring in leads from trusted communities. Over time, this organic growth becomes stronger and more cost-effective than paid marketing.
Real-Life Examples
Several big-name startups once followed this silent approach before going on to become industry leaders later. Slack grew in private circles for years before becoming a workplace communication giant. Notion and Figma also scaled quietly by letting the product do the main talking. Even large companies like GitLab and Zoom started with zero PR during their early growth stages. They utilized user feedback, rapid improvements, and exceptional service to grow without fanfare. Some founders, like Naushad Parpia, continue to avoid the media even after achieving great success. They focus more on their teams, systems, and customer outcomes than personal publicity. These examples demonstrate that silent scaling is not only possible but also a smart strategy.
Benefits of Silence
Startups using this method avoid burnout, stress, and distraction common in media-heavy growth. They save thousands in PR budgets and reinvest those savings into product or talent. Silent scaling enables founders to test ideas freely without fear of public failure or pressure. Companies maintain full control over their message, timing, and growth pace at all times. They are less likely to lose direction because they build based on internal goals. This approach also gives room for honest mistakes without media coverage or negative attention. Silent startups often surprise the market when they finally decide to go public. By then, they are strong, tested, and ready to confidently lead the long-term market.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
1. What does silent scaling mean for new startups growing without public promotions or media?
Silent scaling refers to growing a startup quietly without relying on PR, press, or heavy marketing.
It focuses on building strong products and happy customers to drive natural, steady growth.
2. Why do most early-stage startups choose to skip PR or public marketing campaigns?
Startups often skip PR to save time, reduce costs, and avoid public pressure during their growth phase. They prefer focusing on product quality and user feedback before seeking media attention or fame.
3. Can growing in silence truly lead to long-term success for startup companies today?
Yes, startups can succeed quietly by delivering genuine value and building trust with their users. Quiet growth avoids hype, reduces risk, and naturally builds stable, long-lasting business strength.
4. Is silent scaling a safe and reliable strategy for startups during early development?
Yes, it is a safe method that helps startups avoid early public failure or stress. It provides them with space to build, improve, and grow, with fewer outside pressures and risks.
5. How can avoiding public attention help startups grow stronger and serve users better?
Silence allows founders to focus deeply, cut distractions, and improve services based on feedback. This builds loyal customers and reduces waste from advertising or marketing that brings no results.
Final Words
Startups do not need loud headlines to grow, they just need strong systems and discipline. Silent scaling works when teams focus fully on what matters, product, users, and real value. This approach has helped many firms succeed, including those led by smart and forward-thinking founders like Naushad Parpia. With patience, care, and the right focus, silent startups can become future industry leaders. Quiet doesn’t mean weak—in fact, it may be the strongest way to grow today.
About the Creator
Naushad Parpia
Naushad Parpia is the Founder and Chairman of Plative and the Founder of Earthside Farms, a healthy snack company launched in 2022. A graduate of the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance, IT, and Economics (2011)



Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.