

The BarberShop with Shantanu
The BarberShop with Shantanu
Hi, thanks for stopping by!
My name is Shantanu and I am the founder of Bombay Shaving Company and Bombae. My company has scaled to 1500+ Cr value (if this metric means anything haha), but more importantly, is a loved personal care brand which has scaled to 50L households and 1L stores in 5 years.
The BarberShop was started with a clear thesis - India needs to create approximately a million jobs a month, currently, we create almost two hundred thousand. Our ‘Funda’ is to simplify entrepreneurship and make it accessible to everyone in the country so we inculcate an enterprising habit in the 23-24 year old of today.
After the love received by S1, we have decided to go beyond conversations 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.
My name is Shantanu and I am the founder of Bombay Shaving Company and Bombae. My company has scaled to 1500+ Cr value (if this metric means anything haha), but more importantly, is a loved personal care brand which has scaled to 50L households and 1L stores in 5 years.
The BarberShop was started with a clear thesis - India needs to create approximately a million jobs a month, currently, we create almost two hundred thousand. Our ‘Funda’ is to simplify entrepreneurship and make it accessible to everyone in the country so we inculcate an enterprising habit in the 23-24 year old of today.
After the love received by S1, we have decided to go beyond conversations 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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 26, 2025 • 20min
The Simple Truth About Selling That Everyone Misses | E3 RP 3.0 | Sell Omniblade, Win a KTM 390 Duke
Every career is built on selling. Especially an entrepreneur’s! That’s what Shantanu and Ankush (Co-Founder and CEO at Rebel Foods) suggested at Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Navi Mumbai, and we couldn’t agree more.In this episode of Razorpreneur 3.0, Shantanu teams up with Ankush to bring the hustle as well as their friendship alive on campus. They kick off with a power-packed masterclass on the art of selling, showing why sales isn’t just for salespeople, but the backbone of every profession.The challenge? Students step out to sell as much as they can. Some pitches work, some get turned down, but every attempt comes with a lesson. Between all the action, Shantanu and Ankush rewind to their younger days , laughing about the bikes they used to ride and love, emphasising on the fact that today’s Razorpreneurs have a chance to win their dream bikes while perfecting the art of selling! This season, the pitch you make could win you the bike of your dreams.Razorpreneur 3.0 is here! The stakes are higher, the prizes hotter, and the race tougher:1. Sell the most → KTM 390 Duke2. Next 6 sellers → KTM 160 Duke3. An internship at Bombay Shaving Company4. Get invited for an episode on The BarberShop with ShantanuHere’s how to jump in:1. Register → [https://www.bombayshavingcompany.com/pages/razorpreneur3-0?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=product_shelf]2. Sell the Trimmers using your unique code3. Climb the leaderboard, win big, and ride in styleThis is your chance to sell and win KTM!Navigate your way through these chapters 00:00 Coming Up00:49 Introduction00:56 Shantanu & Ankush's college bikes story02:10 Shantanu on acquiring market gap03:26 Ankush's journey in cloud kitchens05:54 Shantanu on effective selling strategies09:16 Introduction to Razorpreneur10:13 KTM x Razorpreneur 3.0 collaboration10:50 Steps to become a Razorpreneur11:06 Prize announcement for winners13:33 How to crack D2C? 14:06 Students selling in action17:00 Razorpreneur winners from NMIMS 18:16 Shantanu wraps up the session

Sep 19, 2025 • 16min
First-Time Sellers vs Founders: Who Wins? | Ep2 RP 3.0 | Sell Omniblade, Win a KTM 390 Duke
“Sell like your life depends upon it.”We can’t agree more with Kiran Shah! In the second episode of Razorpreneur 3.0, Shantanu teams up with Kiran Shah, Razorpreneur and founder of Go Zero. From his early days at Apsara Ice Creams to building Go Zero, Kiran shows how every big idea begins with the art of selling.At Vidyalankar Institute of Technology, the challenge heats up. Shantanu announces a one-hour contest, and students step out to sell trimmers, while Shantanu and Kiran take on the same test themselves. The campus buzzes with pitches, rejections, lessons, and wins.This season, the pitch you make could win you the bike of your dreams! Now, it’s your turn.Razorpreneur 3.0 is here! The stakes are higher, the prizes hotter, and the race tougher:- Top Seller → KTM 390 Duke- Next 6 Champions → KTM 160 Duke each- 3 Lucky Buyers → KTM 160 Duke eachHere’s how to jump in:1. Register → [https://www.bombayshavingcompany.com/pages/razorpreneur3-0?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=product_shelf]2. Sell the Trimmers using your unique code3. Climb the leaderboard, win big, and ride in styleThis is your chance to sell and win KTM!Navigate your way through these chapters:00:00 Coming Up01:36 Introduction02:44 How can you become an entrepreneur03:47 What is Razorpreneur07:30 Team Shantanu V/S Team Kiran11:20 Winners From Vidyalankar13:56 Omni Blade X KTM

Sep 12, 2025 • 24min
How Aai Mastered the Art of Selling | Ep1 Razorpreneur 3.0 | Win a KTM 390 Duke by Selling Omniblade
Some journeys begin at home.For the first episode of Razorpreneur 3.0, mine does too. This time, I don’t bring a founder, VC, or CEO. I bring my mom – the best salesperson I know!In this episode shot in Pune, Aai visits her everyday kirana shops and steps into the world of sales for the first time. From friendly local stores to the chaos of FC Road, she convinces complete strangers to try the Omni Blade instead of the trimmers they usually buy. She has no sales experience, feels nervous, and faces rejection. But with every “no,” she learns, discovers the power of connecting with people, and sees that energy and storytelling can turn strangers into customers.Watching Aai’s pitches get braver with every try and seeing her enjoy each small win reminded me what entrepreneurship is really about. The courage, the no-excuse attitude, the determination. Now, it’s your turn.Razorpreneur 3.0 is here! The stakes are higher, the prizes hotter, and the race tougher:- Top Seller → KTM 390 Duke- Next 6 Champions → KTM 160 Duke each- 3 Lucky Buyers → KTM 160 Duke eachHere’s how to jump in:1. Register → https://www.bombayshavingcompany.com/pages/razorpreneur3-0?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=product_shelf2. Sell the Trimmers using your unique code3. Climb the leaderboard, win big, and ride in styleThis is your chance to sell and win the KTM!Navigate your way through these chapters:00:00 Coming Up 01:00 What is Razorprenuer? 01:42 How to Register? 06:20 Aai selling at Shop 109:13 What can you learn from Shop 109:44 Aai is selling Omni Blade to Abhinav 11:07 Aai selling at Shop 213:05 Learnings from Shop 2 13:48 Aai is selling Omni Blade to Adwik 15:12 Shantanu’s first rejection16:20 Aai selling at Shop 317:35 Learnings from Shop 3 17:47 Aai selling at Shop 418:39 Learnings from Shop 4 19:09 Aai’s easiest sales 20:20 Selling on FC road 22:32 Learnings from FC Road

Sep 12, 2025 • 24min
How Aai Mastered the Art of Selling | Ep1 Razorpreneur 3.0 | Win a KTM 390 Duke by Selling Omniblade
Some journeys begin at home.For the first episode of Razorpreneur 3.0, mine does too. This time, I don’t bring a founder, VC, or CEO. I bring my mom – the best salesperson I know!In this episode shot in Pune, Aai visits her everyday kirana shops and steps into the world of sales for the first time. From friendly local stores to the chaos of FC Road, she convinces complete strangers to try the Omni Blade instead of the trimmers they usually buy. She has no sales experience, feels nervous, and faces rejection. But with every “no,” she learns, discovers the power of connecting with people, and sees that energy and storytelling can turn strangers into customers.Watching Aai’s pitches get braver with every try and seeing her enjoy each small win reminded me what entrepreneurship is really about. The courage, the no-excuse attitude, the determination. Now, it’s your turn.Razorpreneur 3.0 is here! The stakes are higher, the prizes hotter, and the race tougher:- Top Seller → KTM 390 Duke- Next 6 Champions → KTM 160 Duke each- 3 Lucky Buyers → KTM 160 Duke eachHere’s how to jump in:1. Register → https://www.bombayshavingcompany.com/pages/razorpreneur3-0?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=product_shelf2. Sell the Trimmers using your unique code3. Climb the leaderboard, win big, and ride in styleThis is your chance to sell and win the KTM!Navigate your way through these chapters:00:00 Coming Up 01:00 What is Razorprenuer? 01:42 How to Register? 06:20 Aai selling at Shop 109:13 What can you learn from Shop 109:44 Aai is selling Omni Blade to Abhinav 11:07 Aai selling at Shop 213:05 Learnings from Shop 2 13:48 Aai is selling Omni Blade to Adwik 15:12 Shantanu’s first rejection16:20 Aai selling at Shop 317:35 Learnings from Shop 3 17:47 Aai selling at Shop 418:39 Learnings from Shop 4 19:09 Aai’s easiest sales 20:20 Selling on FC road 22:32 Learnings from FC Road

Aug 1, 2025 • 1h 26min
S4E20: Are Founders Overlooking Legal Risks, Cap Table Issues & the Long-Term Impact of Exits?
Can you scale fast without falling into legal traps?In this episode of The BarberShop with Shantanu, we are joined by Archana Rajaram (Managing Partner, River Law) and Anup Agarwal (Co-Founder & CEO, Mintifi) to decode a side of entrepreneurship that’s often left behind and what really happens when capital, compliance, and chaos collide.From helping founders steer clear of costly mistakes to making sense of India’s tricky legal systems, Archana breaks down how "good lawyering should never come in the way of business". And Anup shares how Mintifi is not just simplifying credit for distributors but doing it while keeping unit economics and risk in check.This episode is basically a founder survival guide on what to fight for, what to let go, and how to not get distracted by vanity clauses.Key Takeaways from the episode:Why not hiring a lawyer early could cost you crores.The dos and don’ts of equity dilution, term sheets, and board control.How Mintifi is solving working capital at scale using tech-first lending.When you should fight a clause and when to just move on.If you're a founder, investor, or just someone trying to make sense of startup chaos, this episode will make you think and maybe double-check your SHA.Let us know in the comments what’s one legal or financial misstep you wish someone had warned you about.

Jul 25, 2025 • 1h 52min
From Inventing WiFi to Planting 2 Lakh Trees, Transforming 1500 Acres | A Visionary’s Journey
Some episodes are personal.This one is family.I had the privilege of sitting down with two people who’ve shaped the way I think, live, and lead: Dr. Pravin Bhagwat (Founder of 14 Trees Foundation) and my father, Kiran Deshpande (Former CEO, Tech Mahindra. Founder, Mojo Networks. Board Member, 14Trees Foundation) two entrepreneurial men I've had the privilege of learning from since I was a child.They built a company together. Exited it with grace. And then, Pravin uncle did something most people wouldn’t, he walked away from the tech world to plant trees and build forests. Literally.He started the 14 Trees Foundation, a community-led movement that’s quietly restoring India’s green cover and here’s why he did it:While reading a 6th-grade textbook on photosynthesis with his daughter, Pravin Uncle had an eye-opening realization: that the carbon we emit can be neutralized simply by planting trees. In fact, it takes exactly 14 trees to neutralize the carbon footprint of one person over a lifetime.This simple, measurable, and relatable insight inspired him to act. It clicked with me instantly, and it’s become the core of what 14 Trees stands for, bringing nature back, one tree at a time.And his conversation isn’t about funding rounds or exits.It’s about friendship, purpose, legacy, and trees, making the world better:Some things you’ll take away from this episode:How my dad and Pravin uncle met, and the values they shared while building Mojo Networks.Why they left it all to work with their hands in the soil.What reforestation looks like and how you and I can help.Why building quietly can still leave a loud legacy.If you’ve ever asked yourself, “What comes after success?” this episode might offer a few answers.And here’s a way you can be part of it:If this conversation resonates with you, share the video on any social media platform along with your own takeaway (no generic reposts or AI summaries), and send it to me via DM or email shantanu@bombayshavingcompany.com and CC deepti@bombayshavingcompany.com.I’ll personally plant one tree in your name at 14 Trees.And if you go a step further and plant one yourself, maybe for a parent, mentor, pet, or friend, I’ll plant two more trees for you.That’s three trees. One simple act. No deadline.Let’s grow something together.

Jul 18, 2025 • 1h 46min
Draft
Is the healthcare system in India broken, or just evolving? In the latest episode of Barbershop, Shantanu is joined by Viren Shetty, Vice Chairperson of Narayana Health (NH), to explore how the pandemic reshaped global healthcare and how, despite the changes, NH is committed to staying true to its values while introducing its new inpatient care services. Viren proudly reflects on the incredible legacy of his father, Dr. Devi Shetty, one of India’s most renowned cardiac surgeons. He shares how Narayana Health has emerged as a leading healthcare provider in the country. The organisation has set a new benchmark in the industry by offering health insurance at just ₹10,000 per year for a family of four. This move, he explains, represents a major shift toward making healthcare more accessible, affordable, and focused on quality for all. Viren also reveals the intense pressure of being a second-gen entrepreneur and constantly proving himself while leading a firm rooted in his father’s vision. What you’ll discover: 1. The importance of prioritising health over everything else in the global economy. 2. Devi Shetty’s revolutionary approach to accessible patient care. 3. The contrast between the past and present generations' views on diagnosis. 4. What would Viren change in India’s healthcare system if he were in charge? 5. Can AI replace the human touch in healthcare? The conversation gets candid about leadership, healthcare investment, and the journey to building a massive organisation with a purpose. Watch now and discover the hard truths behind healthcare and entrepreneurship.

Jul 11, 2025 • 20min
2 CEOs vs 2 Gen Zs | The Bridge S1E9: Is Corporate India addressing Gen Z’s MENTAL HEALTH at work?
Is mental health just a buzzword for Gen Z or is it a genuine crisis?In this episode of The Bridge, Shantanu leads a candid, cross-generational debate on one of the most misunderstood workplace questions today: Is mental health struggle real for Gen Z? One side, the seasoned professionals, Revant Bhate (Co-Founder & CEO at Mosaic Wellness) and Kaushik Mukherjee (Co-founder & COO at SUGAR Cosmetics), question if the regular hustle is being mistaken for crisis.While the Gen Z voices Vidit Dugar (Chief of Staff at Bombay Shaving Company) and Gauri Bansal (Strategy Manager, South Asia, Middle East, and Africa at Spotify) talk about the demand of a workplace built on empathy, trust, and emotional safety.Together, they dive into:Do Gen Z employees expect too much emotional support at work?How much responsibility should founders bear to safeguard mental well-being?Do Western Startups “Do It Better”?And most critically: How real is stress today?Both generations agree on one thing: behind every “tough boss” is a founder terrified of losing their team.Watch now to hear both sides unpack what’s valid, what’s exaggerated, and how workplaces need to adapt.Tell us in the comments: Does your workplace really see you, beyond deadlines and deliverables?

Jul 4, 2025 • 25min
2 CEOs vs 2 Gen Zs | The Bridge S1E8: Are Phones Killing Our Brains?
Are phones killing brains or just replacing boredom with a dopamine hit?In this episode of The Bridge, Shantanu dives into a no-filter conversation with guests from different tech eras to explore the real impact of smartphones on human brains, behaviours, and boundaries. Joining him are Aseem Dhru (MD & CEO, SBFC Finance Ltd) and Damodar Mall [CEO(Grocery Retail ), Reliance Retail] who are amazed to see WhatsApp being the most powerful medium of business, while on the other side, Gauri Bansal (Strategy Manager, South Asia, Middle East, and Africa at Spotify) and Avi Anurag (Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company), the thought-provoking Gen Zs believe phones are a filler for dead time.Together, they dive into:Is YouTube really better than Instagram?The rise of “phone as a boredom cure”.Why do parents trust WhatsApp more than other applications?And whether brains are truly at risk, or simply evolving!Watch now to hear both sides unpack the real truth behind screen time.Tell us in the comments: what do you want us to break down next?

Jul 1, 2025 • 25min
2 CEOs vs 2 Gen Zs | The Bridge S1E7: Can Gen Z Afford to Buy a Home in 2025?
Is owning a home still the ultimate goal, or are there smarter, more flexible alternatives in today’s fast-changing world?This week on The Bridge, the guests debate about one of the most talked-about life decisions in a GenZ’s life today: to buy a home or rent, with perspectives from seasoned business leaders and the next generation of entrepreneurs.On one side, we have industry veterans Aseem Dhru (MD & CEO of SBFC Finance Ltd.), and Luis Miranda (Former Bank Treasurer at HDFC and Ex-CEO of IDFC), who share their views on the financial and emotional implications of homeownership, and why, in some cases, it may still be a solid investment.On the other side, we hear from young trailblazers Ishan Gulati (Chief of Staff to the CEO at Rebel Foods), and Arshi Gupta (Senior Associate, Investments at Singularity AMC) who provide fresh insights on how they’re rethinking traditional paths to financial stability and whether owning property still makes sense in an increasingly mobile world.In this episode, we dive into:The emotional, financial, and practical considerations of owning versus renting a home.How shifting economic landscapes and new technologies are changing what it means to “settle down.”What today’s young professionals really think about homeownership.Don’t miss this candid conversation that explores one of the most significant decisions of our lives.