Vyapaar

In this episode, I invited Sankalp and Shreyash - cofounders of ValuEarth, a company which makes plastic alternatives using natural materials. 

We spoke about how they came up with the idea to start ValuEarth & the product pipeline that they currently have. Sankalp elaborated on the challenges of growing the Company and why plastic is so sticky. 

We also spoke about the growth in the plastic alternatives market and how they plan to diversify and enter new business verticals in the future.

You can find out more about ValuEarth here. And, check out their store here. 

In this episode, I invited the Co-Founders of Black Eye Technologies, which is a Company helping farmers conserve water by harnessing the power of AI & IoT. 

They have also developed a device which runs on Algae and helps factories keep their CO2 emissions in check. Their mission is simple - harnessing the power of AI with the vision to heal the nature. 

They have a couple products in the pipeline. One is a GPS based accident notification software called 'VAN' - which alerts the owners of vehicles of accidents on a real time basis. 

The importance of that cannot be emphasized enough. Second is a cloud based software which connects a patient with a doctor in a seamless way - something that could change the way healthcare works in the country. 

(00:00): Introduction

(01:57): Getting to know the amazing minds behind Black Eye - Amandeep & Harminder ~ overcoming the water scarcity problem in farming

(06:40): Irrigation Alert 2.0 : a smart device which alerts farmers when their land is in need of water ~ understanding how it works

(10:19): Simplicity is the key to success ~ finding answers through simplicity

(12:37): The founders have created a device that helps factories keep a check on their CO2 emissions ~ the story behind the invention of AROG

(16:25): Talking about AROG’s market position ~ what’s in the pipeline for Black Eye?

(19:34): VAN - a vehicle accident notification device ~ talking about it’s market opportunity

(22:33): In the pipeline - A medical device which could change the way healthcare works in the country

(26:25): Amandeep’s two cents for anyone who wants to become an entrepreneur

In this episode, I invited Rajvi Shah - who runs an Instagram page called 'Healthy Swings', through which she creates customized diet plans for her clients and also raises awareness about the science behind food in general. Rajvi told me some of the *many* myths people have when it comes to food and also what her vision is going forward with Healthy Swings. Check out more about Rajvi's venture here - https://instagram.com/healthy_swings?igshid=hutkan2suhuo, healthyswings.cf

You can reach out to us at [email protected]

In this episode, I invited Deep Malhotra - who is a real estate developer and he has started several companies like Gemini New Media Ventures, Beck Friends. 

We spoke about Deep's personal journey, how he pivoted from being one of the main guys in Google India marketing team to then joining his family's real estate business. 

Deep has also written a book called 'Brick, Cement & Dotcom' which talks about the stark realities of the business world. 

You can read it here 

(00:00): Introduction

(02:16): The decisive factor that pushed Deep to pursue entrepreneurship

(07:29): Deep was one of the co-founders of Google India’s marketing business ~ find out how he found his way into that opportunity

(11:00): The challenges faced by Deep while making the switch from Google to the family Real Estate biz

(14:21): A dive into Deep’s Real Estate company - Gemini New Media Ventures

(19:03): A business model that explores unused baggage on international travel - find out about Beck Friends & how Deep came up with the idea

(24:28): Talking about Deep’s book - Brick Cement & DotCom ~ what was the process of writing a book like?

(28:33): Deep’s ecstasy on the encouraging reviews he gets for his book

(30:51): His entry into the world of film-making ~ talking about how he got inspired to dip his fingers into this space

(35:03): We’re both movie buffs - and take a bit of tangent talking about our favorite Nolan movies!

In this episode, I invited Viren & Govinda - who cofounded Motherhuts, a company which provides home cooked food at your doorstep. 

Viren told me how they came up with the idea to start this company, and Govinda deep dived into the entire process of onboarding a cook, maintaining quality control. 

We also discussed the revenue model and how it's different from other [deep cough] *unprofitable* food delivery businesses out there! You can find more about Motherhuts here

(00:00): Introduction

(01:30): How did Viren & Govinda come up with the idea to start MotherHuts?

(07:53): Was it difficult to get cooks on board with MotherHuts? ~ how did they ensure quality control for every cook that joined?

(13:11): Ordering process/Pricing plans/Customer benefits

(22:39): How is MotherHuts different from other food delivery apps? ~ Viren & Govinda’s take on why these online food platforms are at loss

(30:57): What is their vision for MotherHuts?

In this episode, I invited Adete Dahiya, who along with her brother Siddhant set up a nut based milk company called 'The Nutty Kitchen'. 

Adete told me how they came up with the idea, the target audience and the market size for nut based milks. We also spoke about the logistics, the current delivery model and the next phase of expansion. 

If you live in Delhi NCR, order your bottle of nut milks here. 

(00:00): Introduction

(01:19): How did Adete come up with the idea of starting The Nutty Kitchen? ~ talking about the target market for nut based milk

(08:05): Adete’s two biggest challenges in the initial days

(11:03): Talking about parents being involved in the company and also the learning process

(13:24): Adete’s issues in scaling the business ~ shelf life logistics

(16:28): What does Adete want to achieve with The Nutty Kitchen?

In this episode, I spoke to Raina De, owner of Marque & Brew - a company which helps startups with their marketing/branding needs. 

We spoke about the idea behind starting M&B, why marketing agencies don't charge for strategy, how having a business parent can be more important than going to business school & more! 

If you're a startup looking to create a long lasting brand - check M&B's Instagram page here. 

(00:00): Introduction

(01:07): The idea behind starting Marque & Brew

(04:12): Why do marketing companies not charge for building marketing strategies?

(07:53): What are the other services that Marque & Brew provides? ~ growth hacking/ branding/consultations

(10:59): Talking about the advantages of having a business parent and the difference b/w a Founder and a Co-founder

(17:20): What would be the one thing that Raina would change about the Indian Marketing Industry?

(21:11):  Raina’s vision for Marque & Brew

In this episode, I invited Rupen Paul - who is a Stand-up comedian, owner of two podcasts, host at Finshots and also a blogger. 

We spoke why Rupen chose the comic life, about his advice for people who are just starting out, and about his theory of Equalization. We discussed why Managers don't laugh at Corporate Events and about that one time where he didn't get paid! 

And, Rupen told me who his favorite comic was - which blew me away! 

You can check everything Rupen does here.

(00:00): Introduction

(01:30): How did Rupen decide to pursue the comic life? We spoke about several events in his life that made him introspect and choose standup comedy.

(07:57): Exploring Rupen's life - which has been nothing short of a rollercoaster & how he went through a phase of growth and shift in perception.

(16:08): Words of advice for anyone looking to get into standup comedy, things to keep in mind & then, Rupen rambled about his corporate gigs & how that one time he didn't get paid!

(23:52): We took a little philosophical turn & I asked him whether 'he ever felt like quitting comedy' and he had a very easy answer to that

(29:12): His favorite comic, which is the same as mine. (BILL BURR!)

In this episode, I invited Tanya Nambiar - owner of El Diablo Sauces. 

We spoke about how she and her husband started this business, how it pays to think like the customer. We also discussed the distribution strategy of retail vs digital. 

We spoke about how El Diablo stays ahead of the curve, Tanya's vision for the company and what El Diablo means! 

You can check out El Diablo's Insta page here - https://instagram.com/eldiablosauces?igshid=1uuqvnurb6dq4. And, order your bottle of choice here 

(00:00): Introduction

(01:03): How a scarcity of innovative sauces lead to the creation of El Diablo Sauces

(04:22): Understanding the market research process & the secret 'sauce' to El Diablo's unique flavors

(09:09): Talking about distribution strategies - retail vs digital & how it makes more sense to create a digital footprint (especially if you're bootstapped)

(15:09): Diving about Tanya's other side hustles [voice over artist, musician] & how you should ALWAYS do what you love!

(20:30): Discussing El Diablo's competitive edge, intuitive price points & Tanya's long term vision for the company 

(28:18): WHAT DOES EL DIABLO MEAN?

In this episode I invited Priyanshu Jain, and we spoke about his journey - how he and his partner Aniket created AgriJoy/Indian Hydroponics. We also tried bursting some stereotypes in the startup world. 

We touched upon the constant iterations that the business model underwent & what Priyanshu's vision is for AgriJoy and Indian Hydroponics. You can check out more about their initiative at www.agrijoy.in, www.indhydroponics.com

Also check out their Instagram page 

(00:00): Introduction ~ what is Hydroponics?

(00:59): Genesis of the idea & the process of building AgriJoy from the ground up

(03:04): AgriJoy's Evolution - talking about various business model iterations 

(05:24): The ultimate skill of juggling work with studies [Yes, Priyanshu was in college when he started AgriJoy]

(09:25): Demystifying the hype of getting funded & when does it actually make sense to get funded

(11:39): Decoding the connection between AgriJoy & Indian Hydroponics

(12:56): What's the future of Hydroponics?

(17:12): Talking about how Priyanshu stays motivated & how team plays a major role in achieving targets.  

(18:34): The long term vision for AgriJoy & talking about exciting things in the pipeline