The BarberShop with Shantanu

In this engaging discussion, Manish Taneja, CEO and MD of Purplle.com, shares his journey from humble beginnings in Faridabad to leading a ₹10,000 Cr beauty empire. He emphasizes the importance of building with purpose rather than chasing trends and reveals common pitfalls for founders in the beauty space. Taneja highlights how AI is reshaping brand building and the significance of long-term strategies over quick wins. His insights on strategic acquisitions and market adaptation underline his commitment to redefining beauty in India.

If there’s no existential doubt, it’s not an early-stage business.Because you're just figuring it out, one bold risk at a time.In this episode Shantanu is joined by Vedang Patel (Co-Founder of The Souled Store) and Yogesh Kabra, (Founder of XYXX Apparels) for a raw and honest conversation on what it really takes to start up.As a bootstrapped company, Vedang started with just ₹5 lakhs and a big dream. On the other hand, Yogesh started up in a 250 sq. ft. room in Surat. But Now? These founders have built a 1000Cr empire. Key Takeaways from the episode: •⁠ ⁠How a customer-first mindset shapes everything, from product to brand.•⁠ ⁠What should you know before building a clothing brand for women?•⁠ ⁠Why “mental freedom” from your investor can often be more powerful than just financial backing.This is a story of building something of your own with the right people by your side.Tell us in the comments: What’s the wildest risk you’ve taken to build your dream? And if you’d like to join our next conversation as a live audience member, sign up here: https://forms.gle/yF6Rzr9NRheKRoV98Navigate the episode00:00 – Coming Up01:10 – What Are Business Models and Market Trends?04:13 – Why Being Honest About Business Numbers is Important07:01 – Problems in the Clothing Industry09:59 – How to Stand Out in a Crowded Market13:08 – What Customer Retention and Acquisition Costs Really Mean16:02 – How Good Products Keep Customers Coming Back19:08 – How Fashion Trends Change and How to Keep Up22:16 – A New Look at the Underwear Market25:16 – Wrapping Things Up and Looking Ahead26:49 – Why Average Order Value (AOV) is Important for Sales29:20 – How to Market Your Brand and Keep People Interested32:09 – The Problems with Quick Commerce in Clothing industry35:14 – Why Consumers Return Stuff in Online Shopping38:18 – How to Build and Market Your Brand Creatively41:55 – Is Business Success About Luck or Strategy?49:22 – Moving Your Business from Offline to Online52:17 – How Luck and Your Attitude Impact Success54:00 – Finding the Right Investors and Why They Matter59:22 – How We Think About Money01:03:03 – The Mindset of Thriving vs. Just Getting By01:07:16 – The Excitement of Growing Your Business01:14:01 – Closing thoughts

Join Deep Kalra, the visionary Founder of MakeMyTrip, and Sanjeev Aggarwal, an early backer with deep insights into the startup scene. They reveal the rollercoaster story of building a ₹10,000 Cr travel empire, discussing the tough times before 2005 and the bond between founders and investors. Discover how strategic board dynamics shape IPO strategies and the importance of quality governance. Kalra shares valuable lessons on resilience in entrepreneurship and the significance of product thinking—and even touches on personal grooming's unexpected role in confidence.

Some companies almost don’t make it, until they do.MakeMyTrip could’ve been one of them.In this episode, Shantanu Deshpande is joined by Deep Kalra (Founder and Chairman of MakeMyTrip Limited) and Sanjeev Aggarwal (Co-Founder, Fundamentum, Helion and Daksh), one of MMT’s early investors. Kalra and Aggarwal uncover the real behind-the-scenes of building one of India’s most iconic travel companies.This Investor-Founder bond isn’t just about travel. It’s about the courage to stick around when the road gets rough.Let us know in the comments: What’s the toughest phase your startup has survived and how? And if you’d like to join our next conversation as a live audience member, sign up here: https://forms.gle/yF6Rzr9NRheKRoV98

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