At BrilliantRead Media, we always strive to bring to our community some of the finest stories from the entrepreneurship world. As part of this endeavour, we invited a passionate entrepreneur – Palash Agrawal for an exclusive interview with us. Palash is an Entrepreneur, Leader, Consultant and Mentor. He is the Founder Director of Vedas Exports. Let’s learn more about his inspiring journey, his background and his advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Palash:
We are aware of your contribution to the ecosystem, talk us through your background and your journey as an entrepreneur, please;
I come from an entrepreneurial family, and being a business person came naturally to me. However, before launching Vedas, I spent a couple of years working in London. Subsequently, I felt strongly motivated to return to India and start something on my own.
I researched various options, such as carpets, paintings, etc., and eventually zeroed in on home décor. After finalizing the niche, I spent a year travelling across India. I developed an in-depth understanding of design, art, and handicraft before deciding to revive ancient art in a contemporary manner.”
This was when Vedas Exports started its journey with wooden crafts and paintings. As time passed, we moved on to utility décor, hooks, figurines, table décor, showpieces, office décor, vases, shelves, etc. Our products have received tremendous responses in the market, and we are now renowned for the style, utility, and customization on offer.
While we sold just one product in the first month, we sold more than 10,000 pieces today.
We have a presence in more than 700 stores across India and 500 stores overseas. We have a footprint across 300 Indian cities and 15 countries globally. We already command about 8%-10% of our market’s share and are proliferating.”
What attracts you towards entrepreneurship instead of a corporate career?
I did try my hand in the corporate sector when I worked in London for a couple of years.
Coming from an entrepreneurial family, I realized that business was in my genes.”
I wanted to do something on my own that significantly impacted the vertical it operated in and the communities, which prompted me to launch my enterprise.
‘Vedas Exports’ is such a unique name; talk us through more about it, please. Our audience would also love to know what kind of problem you are solving?
My vision behind the label is to set up a company to make ancient and traditional Indian handicrafts famous globally.
We have successfully revived the iconic jaali work and intricate patterns in which the conventional metal handicraft of medieval and royal India excelled.”
We have given the décor a makeover by creating a fusion of products that display craftsmanship in a contemporary manner. Through this approach, we are helping traditional Indian art and craft survive the changing times and bringing about livelihood opportunities for scores of craftspeople and their families in the post-pandemic era.
What does your company specialize in?
Vedas Exports is a brand that specializes in home décor. We have a wide range of handcrafted metallic art and décor pieces inspired by the 18th and 19th-century Indian metal décor style.
We have merged the exquisite elements of that era with contemporary sensibilities to create unique designs that appeal to buyers domestically and internationally. We operate in four key areas, B2B, B2C, e-commerce retail, and customized orders.
During this COVID-19 crisis, what are the measures you have undertaken to continue your business without disruption?
Being a brick-and-mortar business, we relied on exhibitions and gatherings to showcase our products. Customers prefer to get a feel of the product before buying it. The pandemic disrupted all that, and we quickly shifted to the online retail format to keep things going.
We built a presence in the digital arena through our website and social media company. We also launched our products on multiple e-commerce platforms to reach out to as many customers as possible. We have now consciously built an omnichannel presence with shop-in-shop arrangements with brands like Shoppers’ Stop, Home Town, etc. The idea is to remain available to the customers wherever they are.
How do you manage to keep going despite the challenges? What drives you?
I believe there is a solution to every problem, and we can find it by keeping calm. This philosophy keeps me going even when there is an adverse situation.
I am driven by my vision of the ultimate goal and consider the ups and downs as part of the journey.”
Who do you believe has been the most significant source of motivation in your daily life?
I am constantly motivated by the achievements that our efforts bring to us.
I believe in the power of positivity and focus solely on the goals that I set for myself.
This self-discipline and belief motivate me to keep going every day.
Please share with us – what has worked well for you so far?
Vedas Exports has several USPs that have made the brand successful. For instance, we have built an extensive range of handcrafted, powder-coated, rust-free metallic products painted using lead-free colours.
Our environmentally sustainable products are uniquely crafted, each design telling a different story. Our approach to merging ancient heritage with contemporary trends has served us well. Vedas’ customized products have received an excellent market response in India and abroad.
Our products are highly affordable, and we offer grand choices for everyone. The extensive price range of Vedas products starts from INR 799 to INR 64,599, ensuring that people across different budget categories get good options for their home décor needs. This exquisiteness and global appeal have worked well for us.
What are some of the strategies that you believe have helped you grow as a person?
I have always been a quick decision-maker and flexible in my approach.
I believe in finding solutions and making a move instead of fretting about challenges and disruptions. This worked well for me as a person and an entrepreneur when Vedas faced pandemic challenges.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
For me, success is not giving up and rising above every occasion.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
The key to success lies in self-belief. When you start up, there will be no assurance, and you must build everything from scratch.
It would help if you kept focusing on your vision, and instead of reviewing or lamenting the decision, it is essential to move forward to turn the idea into visible success.
Believing in the light at the end of the tunnel has kept me going, and I am sure it can work for anyone passionate about their dreams.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
