Meet an Enrich Member: Mike Caneja
Enrich member and product leader Mike Caneja in action at Toast.
Any time we see that Enrich member Mike Caneja will be at an event or participating in a conversation, we’re excited; Mike always beings the energy, the insights, and the thought-provoking questions. When he’s not participating in Enrich, Mike is a NY-based product-leader at Toast, where he gets to marry his love of hardware with his love of hospitality.
What was your first job?
Technically, my first job was in construction, but shortly after, I also started working front-of-house in restaurants. I ended up doing both through high school and college before graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering and moving into technology post-college. Looking back, it feels full circle that my career brought me to Toast, where I get to combine my experience in both hospitality and technology.
What did you learn working in restaurants?
Hospitality teaches you more than just service — it’s about empathy, teamwork, and creating memorable experiences. Working front-of-house meant interacting with all kinds of people and learning to adapt quickly, and think on your feet, no matter the situation. The ability to stay calm under pressure, anticipate needs, and show up with a positive attitude every shift are skills that have translated directly into product management and leadership.
What’s something you used to think that’s no longer true?
I used to think being a good leader meant having all the answers. Now I know the best leaders understand process and constraints first, then focus on creating clarity, setting repeatable frameworks, and identifying reusable metrics. Leadership is really about empowering others to collaborate and uncover the best solutions together — because the best answers are rarely found in a single brain.
What’s something you’ve used AI for recently?
Recently, I’ve been using AI tools like ChatGPT and Cursor for rapid prototyping. I’ve found so much value in building functional demos instead of starting with abstract documents — it accelerates alignment across product, design, and engineering in a fraction of the time. I’m convinced this should become a core part of how PMs define early PRDs and approach UX research. It saves time, makes requirements clearer, and ultimately helps teams ship better products, faster — because it forces PMs to think through problems deeply and gives everyone else a visual window into the vision in the PM’s head.
What do you want to get better at this year?
I’d like to push myself to do more public speaking on panels and in industry forums. To get there, I’m focused on amplifying my voice on LinkedIn, expanding my presence in the NYC startup ecosystem, and leaning into my advising and investing network to spotlight founders I believe in. For me, it’s about sharing my experience in hardware/software, fintech, SMB SaaS, product management, and team building — and using that to spark discussions that create space for others to grow.
What books are on your bedside table? Or what are you listening to?
Lately, I’ve been hooked on the Prof G Podcast — ever since the Enrich session with Mia Silverio, it’s become a weekly ritual and always pushes my thinking on tech and business. On my bedside table right now is Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara, which resonates with my restaurant background and the work I do at Toast. Kitchen Confidential is a go-to classic for me whenever I want to reconnect with the raw side of hospitality.
And I recently finished The Storyteller by Dave Grohl — as a big rock fan, I loved hearing how a suburban kid from Virginia chased his dream to become a musician, from traveling in his late teens to meeting Kurt Cobain and founding Nirvana. It was fascinating to see how he defined his life and navigated challenges along the way. At the end of the day, I’m a sucker for a good story — especially when it’s about someone’s life experience (or career journey) and the lessons learned along the way.
Who would you like to sit next to at an Enrich dinner?
Since I’m a sucker for a good story, I’d love to sit next to Patrick Collison to hear more about his entrepreneurial journey — especially how he and his brother built Stripe into the behemoth fintech it is today. Starting a business with family adds a whole new dimension to an already challenging endeavor, and I’d be fascinated to hear how they navigated it together. Stripe has become the go-to payments provider for so many software businesses, and learning how they scaled it would be incredible.
Beyond that, I’d love to sit with peers working at the intersection of hardware and software. That’s where I’ve spent my career, and I get the most energy from trading ideas with others tackling those kinds of problems.
You can find Mike on LinkedIn here.
