How do you build a multi-crore textile and home furnishings business from scratch?
In this episode of Startup Seekho, host Rishabh Bindal sits down with Deepak Wadhwani, Co-founder of Natraj Furnishings, to uncover the real journey behind building, scaling, and surviving in one of India’s most competitive manufacturing industries.
From joining the business while still in school to scaling operations, managing complex supply chains, handling factory crises, and building long-term relationships with global clients, this conversation is packed with practical lessons on execution, resilience, and sustainable growth.
Natraj Home Furnishings is an India-based home textile manufacturing and export company producing curtains, bed linen, cushions, table covers, and home décor textiles. Founded in 2004, the company grew from a small operation into a multi-crore export business powered by manufacturing excellence, strong systems, and deep client trust across international markets.
In this episode, Deepak shares how he entered the business at a young age, found manufacturers and early customers, scaled revenue from ₹1 crore to ₹50+ crore, and navigated challenges that tested both business and mindset. The conversation dives into textile industry margins, supply chain strategy, trend prediction, negotiation in export markets, white labelling for global brands, and the mindset shifts required to sustain long-term entrepreneurial success.
If you’re a founder, operator, student, or someone interested in manufacturing, exports, or building a product-led business, this episode delivers real execution insights — no fluff, only systems and lessons from the ground.
Startup Seekho brings you unfiltered conversations with founders and operators who share the real stories behind building companies, scaling businesses, and navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.
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0:00 Intro
1:20 What Natraj Furnishings does and how the business idea started
6:07 Early days of building a textile and furnishing company
7:06 How to find manufacturers for a textile business
8:57 How he got first customers in manufacturing business
10:07 Expanding B2B client base in the textile industry
10:58 Challenges faced while starting a manufacturing business
12:34 Reaching the first ₹1 crore revenue milestone
13:51 How startups break even and become profitable
16:04 Scaling from ₹2.5 crore to ₹10–15 crore revenue
19:29 Factory fire incident and crisis management lessons
21:09 Strategies used to scale from ₹15 crore to ₹50 crore
23:31 The “3Ds” framework for scaling a manufacturing business
30:21 Failed business experiments and lessons learned
41:20 Textile supply chain explained & spotting fashion trends early
46:04 Profit margins in the textile and home furnishing industry
47:11 Untapped opportunities in textile and furnishing business
51:44 White labelling for foreign brands — opportunities and risks
53:39 Moments when founders feel like giving up
57:24 How entrepreneurship changed his life and mindset
59:38 Day in the life of a manufacturing business founder
1:05:06 Founder success habits and victory rituals
1:07:05 What drives entrepreneurs after achieving success
1:08:30 Managing personal finances and wealth decisions as a founder
1:10:24 Rapid fire with Deepak Wadhwani
1:15:32 Podcast outro