Embarking the Tough Road

Rachit Poddar

Co-founder, IVY Growth

In the dynamic world of startups, Rachit Poddar stands as a beacon of inspiration. Rachit Poddar being a Co-Founder of IVY Growth, has carved out a distinctive niche. IVY Growth is not just another venture capital firm, it's a platform that empowers young entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to life. With a relentless pursuit of innovation and an unwavering commitment to the growth of their portfolio companies, IVY Growth has become a beacon of hope for startups.

Empowering the Next Generation:

Rachit Poddar's journey as a venture capitalist and co-founder of IVY Growth has been nothing short of inspiring. He understands the challenges young entrepreneurs face because he's been there himself. He firmly believes in the power of youth and their fresh perspectives, which often lead to groundbreaking ideas.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs:

For young people aspiring to start their own businesses, Rachit Poddar has a few words of wisdom. First and foremost, he emphasizes the importance of resilience. The entrepreneurial journey is fraught with ups and downs and the ability to bounce back from setbacks is crucial. Moreover, Rachit suggests building a strong support network. Seek mentors who can guide you through the complexities of entrepreneurship and surround yourself with a team that shares your vision and complements your skills. Also, he emphasizes the significance of market research and staying agile to adapt to changing circumstances.

Future Growth and Expansion:

As IVY Growth continues to thrive, Rachit Poddar envisions even greater expansion. The firm plans to diversify its portfolio by investing in a wider range of industries and startups. This expansion will enable them to support a more extensive array of innovative ideas and technologies. IVY Growth also plans to establish partnerships with global accelerators and incubators, fostering cross-border collaborations to fuel innovation. Rachit envisions creating an ecosystem where entrepreneurs not only receive financial support but also benefit from mentorship, networking opportunities and access to resources on a global scale.

"Being Fit" - A Vital Component

Rachit Poddar firmly believes in the connection between physical fitness and entrepreneurial success. He recognizes that maintaining a healthy body and mind is essential for the demanding entrepreneurial journey. "Being fit" isn't just about aesthetics; it's about mental clarity, stamina and the ability to withstand the rigours of entrepreneurship.

Rachit encourages young entrepreneurs to prioritize their health by incorporating regular exercise, a balanced diet and mindfulness practices into their routines. He believes that a healthy lifestyle not only enhances productivity but also equips individuals with the resilience and determination needed to overcome challenges.

In conclusion, Rachit Poddar, as a venture capitalist and Co-Founder of IVY Growth, stands as a shining example of how passion, innovation, and a commitment to empowering young entrepreneurs can lead to remarkable success. His advice, dedication to growth, and emphasis on personal well-being serve as valuable lessons for anyone looking to embark on their entrepreneurial journey. IVY Growth's journey is a testament to the power of nurturing dreams and providing the resources needed for them to flourish.

Akshat Bagrecha

Founder and CEO, One4all

Akshat Bagrecha is a well-known figure in the advertising and experiential marketing industry as the CEO of "One4all," a leading agency in India. Before starting his successful media career, Akshat had made multiple attempts to become an engineer. However, he realized that his true passion lay in marketing and advertising, which led him to pursue a career in this field.

Akshat's journey in the marketing and advertising industry began by handling offline activations for various brands in the country. His expertise in this area helped him develop a deep understanding of how to create engaging and effective marketing campaigns for clients.

Under Akshat's leadership, "One4all" has grown to become a respected agency in India, having handled more than 150 brands' activations till date. The agency's portfolio includes major national and international brands from various industries, including technology, automotive, retail, and FMCG, among others.

In addition to his role as the CEO of "One4all", Akshat has also served as the former Administrative Officer of the Drone Federation of India. In this position, he played a critical role in promoting the use of drones in various sectors, including agriculture, infrastructure, and disaster management.

Established in 2016, One4all is a dynamic marketing agency specializing in three vital verticals: Marketing Agency, Events and Offline Activations.

‘Greatest of our achievements’ as quoted by Akshat

Endorsement by Shahrukh Khan: Securing an endorsement from Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan is a significant achievement for One4all. His endorsement, along with the event featuring 50 musicians performing together in support of girl child empowerment in Surat, not only likely garnered significant attention but also rallied substantial support for the cause. This combined effort showcased the power of collaboration and celebrity endorsement in making a positive impact on social causes.

Revolutionary Award from Kidzee: Being honored with the Revolutionary Award from Kidzee for the work carried out in Surat City is a prestigious recognition of One4all's dedication and impact on the community, particularly in the field of education and child development.

Anuv Jain's Biggest Concert in India: Organizing Anuv Jain's biggest concert in India till April 23, 2022, in Surat is another remarkable achievement. Hosting such a significant event highlights One4all's impact in the music industry and its ability to bring top talent to the city for memorable performances.

Media Partnership with All About Music 2023: Becoming the media partner for All About Music, one of India's leading music conferences in 2023, is a testament to One4all's influence and relevance in the music and entertainment industry. This partnership likely allowed One4all to expand its reach and connect with a wider audience interested in music-related initiatives.

These achievements showcase One4all's diverse contributions to various fields, from entertainment to education and social causes, and its ability to leverage collaborations and endorsements for positive change.

Work and personal life balance? What’s that?

Akshat has an immense love for his love. Probably, the very basis of its foundation was being passionate about marketing and networking. “The juggling of work and personal life becomes easier when you truly love your work. And my work is indeed my first love.” Although that doesn’t make him dodge other important people in his life. He may not have fixed working hours, but he ensures that he always spares time for his loved ones. Talking about meeting the deadlines, then he has a unique way of meeting the deadlines. “I am a night owl. Probably, the maximum creativity arises while the world has slept and I am speculating on my work peacefully.” Take it from Mr. One4all, who is gracefully juggling his work and personal life.

Art of staying motivated and focused

Akshat quotes with pride, “By actively dispelling negative thoughts and constantly reminding myself of the initial reasons that inspired me to begin, I maintain my motivation during challenging work situations. Engaging in sports serves as a vital source of mental stability for me, helping me stay grounded and resilient.”

His idea of being fit

My perspective on fitness revolves around becoming the most joyful and content version of myself.

Nikhil Dhingra

Founder Director and Choreographer, Ndvibe Studio; Founder, Maestro

Nikhil Dhingra is a founder director and choreographer of Ndvibe Studio, a platform where one can learn to dance. Nikhil also is a founder of a forum called Maestros which helps people from different backgrounds to collaborate and also grow together with a similar mindset.

Nikhil had been successfully running his offline dance classes before Covid struck. But Covid widened his doors of progress. He tapped into the virtual world as smoothly as his dance moves and now he is able to reach the students with no geographical barriers and accommodate them from around the world.

Dodging challenges like a pro

For any start-up, the biggest challenge is to keep patience with the people around you. “Understanding their potential and pushing their limits so that they can deliver their best was one of my challenges. Dealing with challenges is like playing a game of dodge-ball. With every attack you need you need to face the ball, understand its severity and dodge it. If you dodge it, you win a point and if the ball strikes you, you win a lesson on how to dodge that ball next time.”

Further, he adds to say, “the idea of a start-up has to be the king. If you can’t get a king’s idea then make it one, the possibility of facing challenges is more. Win it over some initial struggles and correct intent. And you are good to go. But you can’t expect a road devoid of hurdles. Keep dodging those hurdles with patience and confidence and you are good to go.”

So your ideas should add value to people’s lives and that should be the ultimate goal.

Take it from me

Someone who is so chill and sorted in his life and work has some pretty sound advice to give, “When you pick an idea, ensure you have done your research well. With research, I do not mean the studies and the degrees. But the market study surrounding your field. Picking up the best idea among the existing ones could be tricky. Stick to your plan and keep away from negative influencers who are anyways there to discourage you all the time. Believe in yourself and your ideas and remain sincere towards your work. For some, ideas may take off quickly whereas others take some time. Give a good gestation time to get the best outcomes. Stay put no matter what!”

Fitness is your true treasure

Your skills, your talents, your intelligence, and your wealth will only be useful if you are fit enough to utilize them. One needs to understand their body and its fitness well. Stop wasting your body with junk and eat right. Keep up with regular physical exercise that will keep you mentally sane too. Rest well and prioritize your sleep for good sleep acts as fuel to work. Bearing a loss monetarily is always better than bearing a loss of fitness for a healthy body and mind will make up for the loss of money.

Nikhil Dhingra

Founder Director and Choreographer, Ndvibe Studio; Founder, Maestro

Nikhil Dhingra is a founder director and choreographer of Ndvibe Studio, a platform where one can learn to dance. Nikhil also is a founder of a forum called Maestros which helps people from different backgrounds to collaborate and also grow together with similar mindset.

Nikhil had been successfully running his offline dance classes before Covid struck. But Covid widened his doors of progress. He tapped into the virtual world as smoothly as his dance moves and now he is able to reach the students with no geographical barriers and accommodate them from around the world.

Dodging challenges like a pro

For any start-up, the biggest challenge is to keep patience with the people around you. “Understanding their potential and pushing their limits so that they can deliver their best was one of my challenges. Dealing with challenges is like playing a game of dodge-ball. With every attack you need you need to face the ball, understand its severity and dodge it. If you dodge it, you win a point and if the ball strikes you, you win a lesson on how to dodge that ball next time.”

Further, he adds to say, “the idea of a start-up has to be the king. If you can’t get a king’s idea then make it one, possibility of facing challenges are more. Win it over some initial struggles and correct intent. And you are good to go. But you can’t expect a road devoid of hurdles. Keep dodging those hurdles with patience and confidence and you are good to go.”

So your ideas should add value to people’s lives and that should be the ultimate goal.

Take it from me

Someone who is so chill and sorted in his life and work has some pretty sound advice to give, “When you pick an idea, ensure you have done your research well. With research I do not mean the studies and the degrees. But the market study surrounding your field. Picking up the best idea among the existing ones could be tricky. Stick to your plan and keep away from negative influencers who are anyways there to discourage you all the time. Believe in yourself and your ideas and remain sincere towards your work. For some, ideas may take off quickly whereas others take some time. Give a good gestation time to get the best outcomes. Stay put no matter what!”

Fitness is your true treasure

Your skills, your talents, your intelligence, and your wealth will only be useful if you are fit enough to utilize them. One needs to understand their body and its fitness well. Stop wasting your body with junk and eat right. Keep up with regular physical exercise that will keep you mentally sane too. Rest well and prioritize your sleep for good sleep acts as fuel to work. Bearing a loss monetarily is always better than bearing a loss of fitness for a healthy body and mind will make up for the loss of money.

Rohan Patel

Managing Director and Creative Hair-Stylist, R&G spalon

R&G Spalon is an outcome of an aspiring woman seeking an identity in society. Rohan grew up watching his mom taking keen interest in dressing up people. Intrigue led him to take interest in the same. Rohan Patel ensured to visit the salon regularly with his mom and as a keen observer he started absorbing the tips and tricks. But only observation couldn’t help him gain that expertise. So, he decided to take up professional training in hair styling in the UK and further worked under some brilliant hair stylists in the UK and in the US. After returning to India, he took up the responsibility of expansion of R&G Spalon. He created the first state-of-the-art facility in Surat in terms of hairdressing. He merged the concepts of hospitality and personalized attention to the customers. There he won the game. Rohan knows his game well and is exceptionally expert in the same.

Juggling between work and personal life

Starting at a very young age, the 15-year-old boy knew where his priorities lay. “Being always the last one at a party or a get-together was a bummer. But I knew what was causing me to be late,” stated Rohan. Rohan Patel had always prioritized his work and clients over fancy get-togethers during the days when he knew he had to base up the clients. Rohan has been an advocate of good hospitality. He ensures that his clients get the best of the services. Taking the saying "customer is God" very seriously, he just not only believes in it but has always been implementing it.

Rohan has been one sorted guy, learning after his mom since a young age. “I have learnt a lot in all these years. Managing my work schedules, be it the clients, my shoots, and my travel dates. I am that ‘prior planned kinda guy’ who likes to plan things way before, so that there are no clashes or confusion ahead. Also, I realize that only work is not your life. I have a family and I ensure that I keep my work hours and my personal hours different. I ensure that I spend ample time with my family and friends. Discretion of work and personal time is very crucial to keep you motivated,” shared Rohan.

Staying organized and productive

Keeping it simple and spruced is what Rohan believes in. Time management is his weapon and mind you he uses it brilliantly well. Keeping sufficient appointment slots, he has always prioritized qualitative work over quantity in the salon. Their major aim lies in satisfying their customers and ensuring that each customer is paid equal attention to. Rohan has a habit of a morning pitch meeting where everyone is well-informed about their work schedules and everyone is following the correct routine and agenda.

“You never grow single-handed. R&G is a result of an amazing team working together in knit.” Believing that you cannot be a one-man army is a victory in itself. It takes courage to credit your team equally for the work that you’ve achieved. Rohan likes to stay modest and eager to learn from his mom. For him, he has always considered the experience of his mom above anything and ensures that whatever decisions are taken, they are taken in affirmation with his mom and partner. He aims to make R&G a prominent brand with the team.

Being fit is self-love

Rohan is a charming young man and it takes effort to be one. Jokes apart, Rohan believes that being fit is a form of self-love. He has a schedule that he follows every day without fail. He maintains a healthy body not just for the purpose of looking good but staying healthy and happy. Sparing that one hour of the day is very crucial to him for he believes, People believe what they see. I have shoots and meet clients every day. And I think the very appearance of you speaks for you. If you are healthy, that will reflect a unique confidence in yourself and you shall be able to represent well.”

So we go by what Rohan says, let your health speak for yourself.

Bhagyashree Soni

Cofounder, Cambio Woman

Bhagyashree Soni, the founder of Cambio, likes to call herself a resilient, determinant, and an organized woman, who is here to revolutionize the menstrual care space. Bhagyashree likes to indulge in hobbies that fuel her passion for exploration and growth. As a perpetual learner, she has a voracious appetite for knowledge and is always eager to learn anything and everything that can benefit her personally and professionally. She loves to engage herself in stimulating conversations with new people because of which she is always up for attending new events and networking that can expand her perspectives and can embrace diverse viewpoints.

Coming up with this business idea - a common yet a neglected idea

Before embarking on this entrepreneurial journey, Bhagyashree Soni had a diverse professional background being a chartered accountant that provided her with valuable experience in the finance and textile industries. Cambio Woman came into existence after a pivotal moment in her life, when she learned about her grandmother’s battle with stage 4 ovarian cancer. “As I researched the causes of such illnesses by interacting with prominent gynecologists and oncologists, I discovered a glaring gap in menstrual care and hygiene,” she stated. It became apparent that traditional market pads were often scented and made with harsh chemicals and materials, putting women at risk. “Inspired by my grandmother's journey and fueled by a desire to make a difference, I embarked on a mission to revolutionize the menstrual experience.”

The concept of menstrual hygiene may not differ from many other brands in society, but Bhagyashree’s journey is shaped by the traditional values prevalent in Indian families, where a woman's health often takes a backseat as she prioritizes the needs of her family above her own. This cultural norm leads many women to neglect their care and well-being. “I recognized the importance of challenging this mindset and empowering women to prioritize their health and self-care. My experiences and the struggles women face in my community have fueled my passion for a solution that addresses this gap and provides women with safe and effective menstrual care options. Through Cambio Woman, I aim to empower women to embrace their health and well-being without compromising their familial responsibilities.”

85% of menstruators face the common yet not-so-normal issue of rashes and skin irritation during their periods. Cambio woman provides safe and sustainable solutions that break free from harmful chemicals, ensuring a comfortable and rash-free period experience. “Unlike conventional period care products that can take 500-800 years to decompose, our innovative products are designed to be highly sustainable, with a decomposition time of just one year. By offering eco-friendly options like organic cotton pads, tampons, and reusable menstrual cups, we empower menstruators to prioritize their health and well-being while minimizing their environmental impact.” Their products aim to revolutionize how menstruators approach their periods, providing a safe, sustainable, and guilt-free choice they can feel good about.

It has been a tough ride, but we manage to roll it.

The journey so far has been a roller coaster ride. To begin with, convincing the family to start a business in the menstrual hygiene category in itself was a challenge. But my dedication and confidence won their hearts and they started supporting me.

In the entrepreneurial journey, every day you face hurdles and being the foundation of the company you have to remain calm and strong. One thing I learned is to focus on the solutions rather than the problem. Half your problem is solved right there.

Building a team who is equally dedicated and enthusiastic is another big challenge you face. But eventually with experience you know who is the best for your company.

Likewise, there will always be ups and downs in the journey, staying focused and determined will help you overcome all those hurdles.

The dedicated fitness preacher

Fitness has been an important part of my life. Though I’m not someone who is a fitness freak, some discipline is very important. Your sleep schedules, daily step count, eating habits, basic workout is crucial to keep you active throughout the day.

Being a woman, we have multiple roles to play in the entire day, if fitness is not a part of it, it becomes very difficult to have a healthy mental and physical health.

Ayush Marodia

Founder and CEO, WorkspaceCo, a venture of The He Ha Studio

Ayush Marodia is a dynamic, headstrong, and resilient man. His intentions and goals are clear as a glass and is one of those who paves his own pathway to success. A man of dreams but none fragile. He is best known for his practical approach and quick decision making.

WorkspaceCo, a venture of The He Ha Studio, is one of the best coworking spaces that one could find in the city. Started with one coworking space in Vesu in 2021 that became a huge success. Had he been contented with one successfully running coworking space, he wouldn’t have been able to expand his claws around the city. Within a period of two years, he managed to open two more beautiful spaces in the city. And he is still not content. His vision is to become one prominent brand in the coworking spaces community and his dream is to see one in the best places around the country.

Where did it all begin?

Ayush Marodia started with The He Ha Story in 2019-2020, a fun flea where the seeds of The He Ha Studio were sown. The idea of setting up his business was a result of the intrigue that the small boy had while filling up forms in the school diary. The constant realization of his father being a businessman made him dream of owning one himself.

Ayush had a vision of setting up a workspace that had an independent environment. Start-ups and the teams had their offices but those who worked independently would always dream of a good working space. “One can always excel well when you have a delightful environment to work in. Not only would you grow financially but it gives you mental peace,” stated Mr. Marodia. He wanted to create an environment where not one but people from different backgrounds of work be it art and creative, or finance or fashion or fitness, can work together in harmony under one roof. His dream was to cultivate a space where people could claim that I work in a dream office, where working is fun and not tiring. With that vision in mind he took up the decision of starting his first coworking space in Vesu. And today there are three beautiful coworking spaces under his venture marked in the best areas of the town.

The roads are never smooth.

Starting with the venture, he hardly had an idea what nature was up to. All of us are well aware of the state of the world when the deadly Covid pandemic hit. That was a major blow to his face. Not just his work got affected but so were his parents. He had no control over the powers of nature but he knew he had control over himself. In the times when people started working at homes and feared to even get out, Ayush was confident to introduce his concept of working spaces that feel like home. It was difficult but he knew it wasn’t impossible. Eventually, people started seeking spaces away from home because let’s face it you don’t want to sit at home anymore after 6 months of house arrest. And working every day at cafés is not always pocket friendly. And the rest is history.

Financially fit is what I seek

The outbreak of the Covid pandemic shook the globe. And people started taking care of their health. Being healthy and fit was always a usual chore for Ayush for he followed a regular regime all his life. A self-controlled man that he is, Ayush has always been mindful of what he eats. While everyone is just busy looking after their physical, mental, and emotional health, this guy figured that he needs to be financially fit at this point of time. “One has to be physically, mentally, and emotionally fit. But I vouch for being financially fit too, for being physically and mentally fit is in my control but being financially fit is in the market's control and I want a hold of it.”

Unnati Sawlani

Cofounder, Urban Suburban

Coming from a traditional Gujarati family, running a textile business, business tactics run in her blood. Unnati is a woman of dreams and this is a story of yet another mother who aspires to create an identity of her own. Unnati is an epitome of elegance and that reflects in her brand.

Urban Suburban is a baby of three sisters. It is a designer clothing brand situated in Surat. Urban Suburban is an amalgamation of Indian and Western textile. From classy business outfits to chic party dress, from subtle girl-next-door outfits to traditional festive outfits, from effortless holiday dresses to sexy beach dresses, you name it and they have it. Urban Suburban is every woman’s brand, their outfits for all occasions, for all sizes and for all types has created a revolution.

The root cause of the idea

Unnati Sawlani's younger sister Anjali is the pioneer of this business. After completing her education from Coventry University LONDON, she came up with the idea to create a brand that fills in the gaps that Indian women faced with national and international brands in terms of sizes, designs, and colors. “All 3 of us, Anjali, Urvi and I, grew up dressing so differently and always experimenting and receiving so many compliments over the years that we wanted to create an extension of ourselves with this brand.” A brand that inspires all women out there to dress the way that makes their heart happy, experiment a little and feel confident in what they wear – that is what Urban Suburban set out to create!

US is indefinitely discrete from other brands

All the garments of US are “locally designed and locally manufactured” in their in-house unit in Surat. Creating clothing is energy-intensive. However, their garments are a product of upcycled fabrics as they are extensively trying to reduce their carbon footprint and believe in giving life back to stock and remnant fabrics. “Our garments stand out because of our unique color-ways and cuts. We are a made-to-order brand which provides us our USP which is size customization.” The team strongly believes in and prides themselves on providing a personalized experience to their customers with their garments as well as their services.

Tossing the challenges like vegetables in the pan

“Every new startup has its own share of its challenges and our biggest challenge has been that this business is women-owned.” This is as straightforward as this answer can get. To prove we were worthy of running the show to an industry ruled by men was quite challenging. “Not only did we struggle with getting the right people on our team but making them understand the quality of work we expected out of them was also quite a task.” Nevertheless, to handle work-kids-family-home-husband-friends-social circle, all together and to try and achieve a balance there is as challenging as it sounds. But with hard work and sheer determination, they have the best team on board and they are very happy with the space they have carved for themselves in this industry.

Fitness enthusiast momma-preneur

“The only definition I have of Being Fit is to do what you love, maintain your mental peace and sanity and listen to your body and mind when it needs you, the rest will follow.” Being quite a yoga enthusiast, with such a busy work-life schedule, it becomes a little difficult to achieve what she just mentioned above, but her calling for being fit is stronger than it seems. Believe it not, working out, eating well, feeling happy and putting yourself first, is the only way to be!