
The BarberShop with Shantanu
From A Small Town in U.P. To Building Treebo Hotels, Working at McKinsey and Leaving Myntra...
Episode guests
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- India's thriving startup ecosystem offers investment opportunities and fosters innovation.
- Reflection on traditional business practices can enhance startup strategies for long-term success.
- Founders must transition from innovation to operational efficiency for sustainable growth.
- Hospitality industry focuses on customer experience, efficiency, and cost control for success.
- Personal resilience, decision-making, and co-founder relationships are vital in navigating startup challenges.
Deep dives
Implications of Job Creation on Economic Development
Job creation is identified as a key element in driving economic growth and social stability. The podcast emphasizes the need to bridge the gap in job creation by focusing on enabling employment opportunities. Challenges such as policy implementation, enterprise factors, societal reform, and creating a robust middle class are highlighted as critical components in addressing the job creation deficit to elevate social and economic progress.
Reflection on Traditional Business Practices
The importance of reflecting on traditional business practices and learning from established businesses is underscored in the podcast. While startups oftentimes seek to disrupt traditional industries, there is recognition of the operational efficiency, financial practices, and business acumen that successful traditional businesses exhibit. This reflection prompts founders to acknowledge the effectiveness of certain traditional strategies and practices that contribute to long-term business success.
Transitioning from Building to Running a Successful Business
A distinction is drawn between building and running a successful business, highlighting the necessity for startup founders to transition from innovation to sustainable operations. The podcast stresses the importance of understanding operational efficiencies, cost structures, and business fundamentals to effectively manage and scale a venture. It emphasizes the significance of adopting practices from established businesses to enhance operational capabilities and drive long-term growth.
Optimism and Growth in the Indian Startup Ecosystem
The podcast exudes optimism about the growth potential of the Indian startup ecosystem, depicting its evolution from a nascent stage to a thriving hub of innovation and entrepreneurship. The discussion revolves around the demographic dividend, technological advancements, and the progressive digital landscape that position India as a compelling investment destination. The narrative celebrates India's entrepreneurial spirit, emerging talent pool, and the transformative shifts driving economic progress and global competitiveness.
Challenges and Adaptation in the Hospitality Industry
The podcast discusses the challenges and adaptation required in the hospitality industry, focusing on delivering quality customer experience while maintaining efficiency in operations. It highlights the importance of focusing on customer obsession, anticipating needs, and balancing efficiency without losing the human touch. The discussion emphasizes the significance of maintaining tight cost control while prioritizing customer satisfaction at every touchpoint.
Founders' Personal and Professional Struggles
The podcast delves into the personal and professional struggles faced by the founders of the company, including dealing with failure, facing unexpected crises, and making tough decisions such as letting go of employees. It explores the impact of failures on one's self-worth, emotional well-being, and the need to balance personal and professional life. The founders share their journey of resilience, perseverance, and the need for self-care amidst the challenges.
Building Strong Co-Founder Relationships
The podcast explores the evolution of a strong co-founder relationship, emphasizing the unique and evolving bond between the co-founders. It traces the development of a close friendship that transcended initial differences and grew through shared experiences and challenges. The discussion reflects on the role of effective communication, understanding each other's strengths and weaknesses, and the importance of mutual respect and support in navigating the entrepreneurial journey.
Building Trust Through Communication and Mutual Support
The episode delves into the dynamic of building trust and strong relationships through effective communication and mutual support. The discussion highlights the importance of open communication in a partnership, where feedback and understanding play key roles. Specific examples are shared, such as offering constructive feedback and being receptive to it, even in challenging situations. The episode showcases how interpersonal connections can lead to successful collaborations and personal growth.
Parenting and Nurturing Relationships
The podcast episode transitions into a conversation about parenting and nurturing relationships within a family. It explores the journey of parenthood, emphasizing the impact of shared experiences and deliberate decision-making. The discussion emphasizes the role of strong family bonds in personal development and highlights the value of imparting important life lessons to children from an early age. Examples include fostering empathy, discussing sensitive topics like menstruation, and creating a supportive environment for growth and learning.
Hi, thanks for stopping by!
You’re listening to #TheBarbershopWithShantanuS2: #RaisersEdge.
In today's episode, Shantanu has a one-on-one conversation with Rahul Chaudhary, Venture Partner at Matrix Partners India, and former co-founder at Treebo Hotels. Stay tuned till the end of the video to know why India is the place to be, how he made the leap to startups with Myntra, building Treebo, his new chapter in the Venture Capital world and much more!
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00:00:00 A teaser of what’s to come 00:01:15
Intro 00:02:26 Being a part of Matrix Partners
00:09:27 Angel vs Institutional Investing.
00:13:19 How VC as a profession is changing
00:15:42 Can investors add value?
00:24:00 What happens when founders and VC fund don’t align?
00:27:13 Things great VCs do
00:30:24 Things are looking up for India 🇮🇳
00:31:03 Feedback loops are super short!
00:35:28 Shantanu’s Bizarre Confidence in Starting BSC
00:38:41 “This VC shit is hard!”
00:45:26 Things are quickly changing in India 🇮🇳
00:58:45 Differences in India and the US
01:00:02 The naivety of pissing on traditional businesses
01:04:11 Everybody can learn from the hospitality business
01:09:17 Rahul’s years at Treebo
01:21:40 Behaviour of the Indian Consumer
01:26:12 What should brands be doing?
01:29:50 Dealing with challenges at Treebo
01:38:02 Letting go 12% of Treebo
01:41:19 Rahul’s Work/Life Balance
01:43:06 Investing in fitness as a founder
01:46:20 Rahul’s relationship with Sid
01:57:25 The role of Rahul’s family in his success
02:06:41 Shantanu’s story on dating
02:09:54 How did Rahul he wanted to marry Navneet?
02:13:49 On being a parent
02:22:24 Concluding notes
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We are looking for early stage stage companies with: - Amazing Founders - Operating in large markets - Are post revenue - TBWS will put in the first or second institutional cheque! Email us about you and your start-up on barbershop@bombayshavingcompany.com.
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ABOUT OUR CHANNEL
My name is Shantanu and I am the founder of Bombay Shaving Company and Bombae. I LOVE entrepreneurship. Personally, I would rate myself as an average (at best) entrepreneur, but I love great ones.
The BarberShop with Shantanu S2: Raiser’s Edge goes beyond our conversations from S1 on our podcast to tangible help. With the help of our sponsors at BSC and Bombae we have put together a season which brings together a corpus of 50+ equity seekers looking to support 20+ start-ups in their growth and success. We will be releasing an episode every Friday at 9 pm. Tune in and hope you enjoy. :)
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