33 VCs saying NO, being labelled FAKE to signing Diljit: The Incredible Story of Mokobara

The BarberShop with Shantanu

Mokobara was rejected 33 times.

And now they’ll beat legacy brands in their own game within 6 years. Something the biggest brands took 44 years to do!

That’s the thing about great entrepreneurs. They don’t give up.

In this episode, we are joined by three of Shantanu’s closest friends. Sangeet Agrawal, Founder at Mokobara, Navin Parwal, Co-Founder & CMO at Mokobara, and Manu Chandra, Founder and Managing Partner at Sauce.vc came together to uncover the power of aspirational hungry India.

Mokobara is on a mission to redefine travel for India, designing luggage that feels world-class. But with ambition comes scrutiny.

Recently, they faced backlash over claims of white-labeling and premium pricing. Instead of backing down, they flipped the script by dropping a non-apologetic comeback, launching a discount code named WHITELABEL on their latest Naruto collection. Through this episode, Sangeet and Navin, along with their friend and investor Manu Chandra also put down the curtains on the unnecessary controversy finally.

Major takeaways from the episode:

- Sangeet and Navin finally address their controversy.

- How fast Mokobara grew in 6 years, something Safari took 44 years to do.

- Why Indian brands need to build high-quality products and take them to the global market.

- A secret BSCxMokobara product launch.

If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a design enthusiast, or just someone who needs to hear a story of resilience today, this episode is for you!

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00:00 Coming Up

01:15 Introduction

06:06 The Dichotomy of Founders: Passion vs. Market Analysis

12:02 Cultural Exports: Lessons from Korea

18:10 The Evolution of the Indian Consumer

21:08 The Importance of Passion in Entrepreneurship

23:52 The Dynamics of Brand Building and Design

26:45 The Role of Community and Support in Business

29:57 The Journey of Growth and Resilience

32:59 Creating Products with Purpose and Identity

41:21 Building a Consistent Brand Identity

42:10 Navigating Product Life Cycles and Manufacturing

43:35 Philosophy of Timeless Design

45:30 Evolution of a Travel Lifestyle Brand

46:58 Balancing Focus and Scale in Business

49:02 Expanding into Global Markets

50:39 Creating an Exceptional Retail Experience

54:57 Importance of Offline Presence

01:00:11 The Role of Design in Brand Experience

01:02:39 The Impact of Retail on Digital Performance

01:09:10 Lessons from Adversity in Business

01:21:46 Importance of Patience in Building Brands

01:23:39 Valuation Challenges in Entrepreneurship

01:24:20 Understanding Business Valuation and Investment

01:26:18 The Risks of Overvaluation

01:28:19 The Reality of Angel Investing

01:30:08 Building a Brand with Passion and Quality

01:32:15 Navigating Competition in the Market

01:34:03 The Role of Patience in Brand Evolution

01:35:35 The Power of Team Dynamics

01:36:03 Leadership and Team Culture

01:39:40 Celebrity Endorsements and Brand Identity

01:42:30 The Impact of Profitability on Brand Partnerships

01:45:30 Collaborative Opportunities Between Brands

01:48:05 The Journey of Fundraising and Building Trust

01:51:56 Closing Thoughts on Building a Business