Founders Unplugged

Tech for Good: How This 23-Year-Old's Invention is Saving the Planet w/ Naman Tekriwal S3 E8 P1

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Welcome to Founders Unplugged! I'm your host, Greg McCallum. In this two-part conversation, I sit down with Naman Tekriwal, a Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur and the co-founder and COO of Breer.


Naman shares his inspiring journey from growing up in a family of entrepreneurs in India to creating a sustainable craft beer company in Hong Kong. At just 13 years old, he founded High School Investors to promote financial literacy among students. Later, he launched Rural Invest, providing investment opportunities for India's rural population. Naman emphasizes the importance of solving big problems and making a positive impact through entrepreneurship.


In this episode, we delve into how a chance observation of discarded bread led to the birth of Breer. Despite facing challenges like civil protests and the COVID-19 pandemic, Naman's perseverance turned Breer into a success story, now selling in over 400 bars, bottle shops, and restaurants in Hong Kong.


Takeaways:

  • Naman comes from a family deeply rooted in entrepreneurship and was raised with a strong focus on business and finance.
    • He founded High School Investors at 13 to promote financial literacy among students.
      • Later, he started Rural Invest to provide investment opportunities for the rural population in India.
        • He stresses the importance of surrounding yourself with people who can provide honest feedback and keep you grounded.
          • Unexpected opportunities, like noticing discarded bread, can lead to innovative solutions.
            • Perseverance is crucial in overcoming challenges and achieving success.
            • Market research and understanding your customers are vital for any business.


              • Episode Highlights:

              Investing in Rural India: The Rural Invest Project

              From a Family of Entrepreneurs: Naman Tekriwal's Journey

              From Discarded Bread to Craft Beer: The Birth of Breer

              Overcoming Challenges: Civil Protests and the COVID-19 Pandemic


              Chapters:

              00:00 Introduction and Background

              02:05 Entrepreneurship in the Family

              04:20 First Company: High School Investors

              09:29 Impact of High School Investors

              13:27 Entrepreneurial Philosophy

              17:45 Building Trust and Overcoming Barriers

              20:17 Sales Lessons and Empathy

              25:02 Growing Up in a Large Family

              30:17 Importance of Deep Relationships

              33:14 From Discarded Bread to Craft Beer: The Birth of Breer

              41:15 Recognition and Partnerships

              45:39 Knowing Your Customer and Market Research

              49:23 Maintaining Consistency and Expanding the Breer Model

              55:39 Addressing Bread Waste and Creating Demand for Sustainable Products


              Join us for this insightful conversation that explores Naman's journey, the challenges he overcame, and the lessons he learned along the way. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more inspiring stories from entrepreneurs around the world!


              Stay tuned for Part 2 of our conversation with Naman in the next episode of Founders Unplugged!


              Follow Naman here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naman-tekriwal/


              Check out Breer here: https://www.breer.com.hk/


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              Founders UnpluggedBy Greg McCallum