The BarberShop with Shantanu

Saurabh Pandey, Founder and CEO of Eloelo, shares his inspiring journey from Flipkart to launching India's largest Live Social Entertainment App. He discusses how Eloelo grew rapidly during the pandemic, tackling loneliness and fostering community through interactive features. Saurabh explains the unique monetization strategies that empower creators and reveals the importance of transparency in the startup world. He also reflects on navigating the challenges of securing funding and building a business during uncertain times.

In this engaging conversation, Kapil Chopra, founder of EazyDiner and The Postcard Hotel, teams up with his longtime friend and investor, Deepak Shahdadpuri of DSG Consumer Partners. They share their unique journey of turning a friendship into a successful business partnership. The duo discusses the qualities that make a strong founder-investor dynamic, market identification tactics, and the evolution of consumer brands in India. Their stories encapsulate the mentorship and cultural alignment vital for entrepreneurial success.

Not every founder finds the right investor. Not every investor bets on the right founder. In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome a BarberShop veteran, Kapil Chopra (Founder - EazyDiner and The Postcard Hotel). But this time, he is not alone. Joining him is his first ever investor and his very good friend, Deepak Shahdadpuri (Managing Director, DSG Consumer Partners). Why did Kapil and Deepak take 8 years to finally start a business together? Find out in this episode. This isn’t just an entrepreneurial conversation. It’s about trust, conviction, and the kind of friendship that every investor-founder must share, for businesses to thrive even when the going gets tough. Takeaways from this episode:- What do investors look for in a founder during a pitch?- Why did Deepak NOT invest in Bombay Shaving Company?- How to identify your Product Market fit in a crowed market.Kapil and Deepak’s story is a great reminder of why it matters who you surround yourself with. Who is that friend in your life you’d love to build a business with? Drop your thoughts in the comments! And if you’d like to join our next conversation as a live audience member, sign up here :- https://forms.gle/5rVezQtDnYm1rqZJANavigate the episode 00:00 Coming up01:00 Introduction06:37 Founder-Investor Friendship11:53 How did Kapil Identify Market Opportunities14:46 The Evolution of Consumer Brands in India17:21 Founding story of Sula23:13 The Future of Consumer Brands in India27:37 Veeba Funding Story29:55 Why did Deepak Invest in EazyDiner33:00 Finding the Right Investor-Founder Dynamics38:00 How to Navigate Challenges53:53 Evolution of Investment in India01:05:41 Maturity of Family Offices in India01:17:28 The Art and Commerce of Consumer Brands01:41:40 Importance of Aligning Incentives for Long-Term Success02:01:33 Challenges in the Startup Ecosystem and Corporate Governance02:05:46 How to Find the Right Fit in Teams02:06:17 The Importance of Cultural Fit02:10:15 Opportunities in Travel and Hospitality02:17:09 Culinary Diversity and Innovation in India02:21:16 Closing Thoughts

Sangeet Agrawal, founder of Mokobara, and Navin Parwal, co-founder and CMO, share their inspiring journey of overcoming 33 rejections to build a thriving luggage brand. They discuss facing scrutiny for premium pricing and their bold marketing comeback with a special discount code. Joined by investor Manu Chandra, they explore the challenges of brand building in India, emphasize the importance of creating high-quality products, and reveal an exciting upcoming collaboration. Their story highlights resilience, innovation, and the drive to redefine travel for India.

In this conversation with Shinjini Kumar, Co-Founder of SALT-mysaltapp, we talk to her about her diverse professional journey, something you don’t see in many founders. Coming from Bihar, she started as a journalist at the Times of India and then shifted to the Reserve Bank of India in the early ‘90s. At the heart of the action, she was responsible for handling Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). In this episode, she discusses exactly how she landed every job she did in her early days. Shinjini eventually went on to study in the US, joined Bank of America, then came back to be the CEO at Paytm Payments Bank. And mid-COVID, she took the leap into entrepreneurship.Major takeaways from the episode:1.⁠ ⁠How she transitioned from journalism into finance and entrepreneurship.2.⁠ ⁠How career plurality shapes perspective and adaptability. 3.⁠ ⁠Lessons from building SALT and the challenges of raising capital at the right time. 4.⁠ ⁠What women are missing when it comes to finance.We are excited for conversation, and we can’t wait for you all to watch it. Drop your thoughts in the comments! And if you’d like to join our next conversation as a live audience member, sign up here: https://forms.gle/uY8w2an4Q44mN9dd800:00 The Financial Agency of Women03:02 The Journey of Shinjani Kumar05:51 Conversations on Financial Inclusion09:10 Building SALT: A Mission for Women12:05 Understanding Financial Services for Women14:55 The Role of Agency in Financial Decisions18:02 Cultural Influences on Financial Behavior20:59 The Impact of Social Conditioning on Women23:50 Navigating Financial Independence27:10 The Future of Women in Finance38:13 Understanding Gender Disparities in Income and Assets41:44 The Role of Women in Family Businesses47:00 Women as Catalysts for Social Change50:41 Behavioral Changes in Financial Services57:51 Lessons from Entrepreneurial Journeys01:11:17 Building Trust Through Technology01:14:05 The Evolution of Banking and Finance01:16:24 Navigating Challenges in Entrepreneurship01:20:42 The Complexity of Work and Gender Roles01:24:01 Raising the Next Generation: Gender and Equality01:31:12 The Value of Work and Education01:37:21 Advice for Young Entrepreneurs and Professionals

In this conversation with Amit Jain (Co-Founder & CEO, CarDekho) and Anurag Jain (Co-Founder & COO, CarDekho) we learn why every founder should consider building in a small town like Jaipur—and do it with family.Amit and Anurag turned what started as a small-town dream (announced on LinkedIn - true story) into a billion-dollar reality. If that doesn’t make you believe in manifestation, we don’t know what will. 😏CarDekho’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. From a bootstrapped company to one of India’s most sought-after startups, they’ve completely redefined how India buys and sells cars.In this conversation, we break down:- The power of trust in leadership and how it shapes company culture.- Scaling a startup: structuring equity, empowering talent, and navigating co-founder dynamics.- Why founders today should pick Tier 2 cities over metros to thrive.- Working with family—the unique challenges, advantages, and what makes it work.- The mindset shifts required to build billion-dollar businesses and what Indian entrepreneurs can learn from global success stories.This episode is a must-watch for aspiring entrepreneurs, family business owners, corporate leaders, and anyone looking to turn their big dreams into reality.Drop your thoughts in the comments! Also, if you’d like a chance to interact with SD as an audience member for our next shoot, fill this form: https://forms.gle/5j26oEVkRbEFJmcX8Looking forward to hearing what you think!Navigate your way through this conversation:00:00 - Coming Up01:04 - About the Podcast04:41 - The Journey of Entrepreneurship10:45 - Building a Consumer-Centric Ecosystem13:36 - Identifying and Empowering Talent16:25 - Structuring for Success: Equity and Ownership19:41 - The Dynamics of Brotherly Co-Founders22:37 - Navigating Challenges and Growth25:41 - The Role of Trust in Leadership28:34 - The Evolution of Organizational Structure31:37 - Lessons from Experience and Scaling Up43:47 - Understanding Numbers and Business Instincts45:47 - Building a Knowledge-Driven Organization47:53 - Fostering Personal Connections in Leadership49:53 - Balancing Professionalism and Personal Bonds52:12 - The Importance of Authentic Leadership53:57 - Celebrating Alumni Success Stories55:14 - Encouraging Individual Aspirations56:03 - Co-Founder Dynamics and Feedback57:50 - Influencing Each Other's Leadership Styles59:57 - The Role of Sports in Team Bonding01:01:32 - The Jaipur Connection and Talent Pool01:03:06 - Creating Opportunities in Tier 2 Cities01:05:11 - Company Culture as a Family01:07:54 - Navigating External Capital and Investor Relations01:22:02 - Building for the Future: Vision and Legacy01:25:03 - The Power of Compounding: Growth and Strategy01:28:24 - Energy and Inspiration: What Drives Founders01:29:48 - Patriotism and Community: Building in India01:32:31 - Giving Back: The Role of Mentorship and Support01:34:03 - The Rise of Entrepreneurship in Tier 2 Cities01:36:56 - The Evolving Landscape of Startups and Investments01:44:02 - Harnessing AI: Opportunities and Challenges01:49:59 - Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Taking the Leap

In a captivating conversation, Rajan Anandan, Managing Director of Peak XV and Surge, and Prachi Pawar, founder of Anandi Schools, dive into the future of India's startup ecosystem. Rajan, a powerhouse in venture capital, offers insights on how India can become an AI superpower through application-first companies. Prachi shares her journey in education and the importance of adapting mindsets for billion-dollar opportunities. Together, they discuss crucial differences between Silicon Valley and Indian entrepreneurs, emphasizing the power of mentorship and continuous learning.

In a riveting chat, Ajoy Chawla, CEO of Titan’s Jewellery Division, shares his journey in transforming Tanishq into a household name. He delves into the evolution of Titan’s marketing strategies and highlights critical lessons from past failures. Ajoy discusses the importance of building trust in the jewellery industry and the impact of shifting consumer preferences. Tune in for insights on India’s diamond legacy, the rise of lab-grown alternatives, and how to connect emotionally with today’s young consumers.

In this episode, Shantanu is absolutely thrilled to sit down with Luis Miranda—Founding Member of HDFC, Ex-CEO of IDFC, and the founder of the Indian School of Public Policy. This one is packed with wisdom, laughter, and invaluable insights for anyone interested in leadership, impact, and the startup ecosystem!Luis is the kind of person who doesn’t take himself too seriously—despite having built some of India’s most iconic institutions. He’s an incredible storyteller, effortlessly blending high IQ with deep emotional intelligence.This time, the conversation is even more fun and candid, as Shantanu and Luis explore everything from leadership to the social issues that truly drive him. Luis has spent years working on causes that matter, constantly seeking to understand people and their challenges in a way only few do.From this episode, you’ll learn about what it takes to build and scale institutions, the importance of having strong role models, and why giving back is just as important as success.And here’s the best part—Luis has a way of making complex ideas sound effortless. His honesty, his warmth, and his storytelling make this episode a must-listen!We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did. Drop your thoughts in the comments—what resonated with you the most?Navigate your journey through this conversation:00:00 Coming Up02:38 The Importance of Reaching Out10:06 Building Relationships Through Conversations17:35 Career Path and Influences21:01 The Journey of HDFC Bank and Citibank36:19 Transitioning from Banking to Tech Startups39:00 Entering the Venture Capital World45:59 Exploring Development Sector Opportunities52:19 Finding Purpose in Work and Life54:12 World of Development59:58 The Importance of Reflection and Mentorship01:07:32 The Hunger for Success01:11:55 Finding Your Sweet Spot in Business01:12:30 The Impact of Middle Management01:16:00 Loneliness at the Top01:17:50 Prioritizing What Matters01:20:00 The Importance of Perspective01:21:40 Mindfulness in a Fast-Paced World01:23:30 Navigating Young People's Challenges01:26:30 The Balance of Hard Work and Care01:27:10 Understanding Entitlement in the Workplace01:28:33 Activism and Awareness in Today's Youth01:30:00 The Trade-offs in Public Policy01:32:42 Men's Mental Health and Societal Expectations01:37:27 The Role of Equity and Individuality01:39:51 Lessons from Indian Civilization01:41:01 Happiness and Expectations01:44:39 Final Thoughts on Life and Work

Shantanu Khosla, former MD of Procter & Gamble in India, shares priceless insights from his extensive brand-building experience. He explores the latest consumer trends and the transformative potential of technology in marketing. With a live audience, Shantanu dives into the emerging grooming market and the shift in young males' preferences. He discusses effective marketing strategies and how to build a hit product that resonates with consumers. Plus, listeners get insider tips on how to outsmart industry giants like Gillette!