The BarberShop with Shantanu

In this episode, Gaurang Marvania (Founder, Little Rituals) joins Shantanu Deshpande (Founder & CEO, Bombay Shaving Company), along with Arjun Purkayastha (SVP & Managing Director - Greater China & North Asia, Reckitt), for a sharp conversation on building a premium baby-care brand focused on safe formulations and long-term trust with parents. Little Rituals started with just ₹50L and 3 baby oils and has now grown to a ₹23 Cr brand with a breakout sunscreen that did ₹12 Cr in revenue. Problems we solve in this episode: • Can a premium baby-care brand scale in India? • Should Little Rituals expand its product range? If you're building a D2C brand, consumer startup, or premium consumer product, this episode offers a practical look at the strategic decisions founders face while scaling a brand. Chapters: 00:00 Coming Up 01:22 Introduction 2:32 The Origin Story of Little Rituals 05:05 Growth Journey, Channels & Key Business Insights 07:07 How strong marketing drives brand growth11:35 How can a brand build trust? 23:13 How to Influence Consumers to Buy 26:26 At ₹40 Cr, what should you focus on? 37:28 Dark Store Selection, SKU Launch & Working Capital Planning 45:00 When and Why to Raise Funding 51:57 Key Expert Insights for Brand Growth 54:08 Closing Thoughts

Not every child needs to grow up to be Elon Musk. And maybe that’s okay.In this episode, Shantanu Deshpande and Harpreet Singh Grover (Founder of The Curious Parent) discuss the myth of pushing kids to become high achievers like billionaires and the overwhelming pressure children face in today's education system. Harpreet shares his views on the competitive culture in India, and how it often leads children to pursue careers they aren’t passionate about. They together explore how today's digital age affects children’s mental health and why parents need to rethink their approach to screens and emotional regulation. The conversation takes a deep dive into the psychological effects of modern parenting, where devices often become a tool for pacification rather than genuine connection.What you’ll discover:1. The hidden dangers of using screens as a parenting tool2. Why students don’t need perfect grades to succeed in life3. How the education system has shifted since the Industrial Revolution4. The growing role of values in choosing the right school for your child5. The truth behind Kota’s appeal and the role of parental pressureTune in and navigate the intricacies of parenting and schooling, offering real-world advice on making better educational choices for your child in today’s world.Navigate your way through these chapters: 00:00 Coming Up01:16 Introduction03:17 Why Rote Learning Still Works05:37 How ‘The Curious Parents’ Can Help Choose Schools Based on Family Values10:21 How New Boards & Exams Are Shaping Learning Today15:20 The Truth About Kota & Parental Pressure24:30 Is Education Pressure Stealing Kids’ Childhood?28:58 Why Playtime is Crucial for Child Development37:01 How Digital Distractions are Affecting Kids’ Emotions40:22 The Hidden Dangers of Using Screens as Parenting Tools44:53 Closing Thoughts

₹15 Cr in revenue.A crowded toy market. And a big ambition to build a brand that can go global.In this episode, Yash Thombare and Vedang Nalawade, Co-Founders of Clapstore Toys, join Shantanu Deshpande (Founder & CEO, Bombay Shaving Company) along with Aditya Sehgal (Founder, Asgard. world | Ex-President & COO, Reckitt) for a sharp conversation on building a fast-growing toy brand focused on affordable, mass-market products for Indian families.From vendor dependence and manufacturing choices to distribution and category expansion, the panel breaks down the real decisions founders face while growing a D2C brand.They also tackle a tough reality in categories like toys, where repeat purchases are limited, and competition is often generic. Also, for Clapstore, the path to competing globally lies in continuous product innovation. Problems we solve in this episode:1. What should founders prioritise to scale from ₹15 Cr to ₹50 Cr?2. In low-repeat categories, should founders focus on repeat purchases or customer acquisition?3. As a brand scales, should founders own manufacturing or outsource it?4. How to Design Products When Buyer and User Are Different?If you're building a D2C brand, consumer startup, or manufacturing-led business, this episode offers a practical look at the real decisions founders face while scaling!Navigate your way through these chapters00:00 Coming Up01:00 Introduction01:48 The Vision Behind Clapstore04:36 Scaling from ₹15Cr to ₹50Cr13:17 Repeat Purchases or Customer Acquisition?18:51 How Unique Design Language and Partnerships Drive Growth31:30 Own Manufacturing or Outsource?39:06 Innovation or Manufacturing: Clapstore’s Moat44:20 Designing Products When Buyers Aren’t Users48:55 Closing Thoughts

This episode explores the realities of building a modern apparel brand from zero.Sanya and Adit, founders of Cove & Lane, are building a modern, quiet luxury clothing brand for ambitious professionals. Timeless pieces designed for people moving from boardrooms to social evenings.They join experts, Shantanu Deshpande (Founder & CEO, Bombay Shaving Company), along with industry leaders Shiv Shivakumar (Operating Partner, Advent | Ex-SVP, Nokia | Ex-CEO (India), PepsiCo) and Toshan Tamhane (Ex-McKinsey Senior Partner | Global Chief Operating Officer, UPL) for a sharp conversation on what it really takes to build a consumer brand.From repeat purchases and referrals to customer psychology and status signalling, the panel breaks down how founders can identify what is actually working. They also unpack a critical founder dilemma:Should early startups prioritise growth or profitability?Problems we solve in this episode:• How do you measure product-market fit in a D2C fashion brand?• How should founders use data when the sample size is small?• When scaling a startup, how do you balance growth and profitability?If you're building a D2C brand, consumer startup, or fashion business, this conversation will sharpen how you think about scaling.Navigate through the chapters and watch till the end

This episode goes inside the real shift from founder hustle to founder design.Gopal built SOLARA by staying close to operations in the early years. Today, his role has shifted. He focuses on growth, while others run execution. But that transition is not automatic. As a founder, you are constantly switching between operator, shareholder, and long-term architect. The hard part is knowing when to step back and let specialists take over.He joins Shantanu Deshpande, along with Shiv Shivakumar, Operating Partner at Advent International, and Toshan Tamhane, COO at UPL Group, for a candid conversation on scaling in a changing consumer market.From bootstrapping decisions to the ₹500 crore acquisition question, from hiring senior leaders to building culture without bureaucracy, the discussion goes deep into how consumer brands must evolve.They also unpack a powerful external trend: the rise of the open kitchen. Appliances are no longer hidden utilities. They are visible, aesthetic, and part of lifestyle identity. Water purifiers, drinkware, and kitchen equipment have shifted from commodities to fashion. When the kitchen becomes open, the product must earn pride of place.Problems we solve in this episode:1. Should you bootstrap to ₹500 crores or raise capital to hit ₹1,000+ crores faster?2. Will a celebrity endorsement build trust, or are regional micro-influencers the smarter bet?3. When should you hire senior talent from outside without breaking your startup culture?4. Do experience stores make sense for a digital-first brand going offline?If you are building a consumer brand navigating scale, capital, and positioning in a more design-conscious India, this episode will sharpen your thinking.

This episode goes inside the realities of scaling a D2C brand.Yash Kalra, Founder of Goat Life, started his journey in Kota. Before crores in monthly revenue and national visibility, there were 80 plus offline events and constant product iteration.He joins Shantanu Deshpande and Aditya Sehgal, Founder, Asgard.world and Ex-President & COO, Reckitt, for a direct conversation on what it really takes to scale. They challenge assumptions, question positioning, and examine the shift from founder hustle to structured growth.Problems that we solve in this episode: - How should founders prioritise operations and capacity when demand spikes overnight?- As a content led brand scales, what must stay founder led to keep the voice authentic?- When does a niche brand know it has gone deep enough to expand wider into new categories?- If you are building a consumer brand and navigating growth decisions, this episode will sharpen your thinking.Navigate through the chapters and watch till the end00:00 Coming Up01:43 Introduction04:07 From GO OAT to Goat Life06:40 Products, Flavours & Packaging08:31 Sales Split Across Channels & AOV10:50 The “Ompi” Story × Shantanu12:14 Is GOAT LIFE Truly Just a Breakfast Company?13:42 SKU Mix: Assorted Packs vs. Singles14:57 Limited Drops Strategy19:16 How to Expand Your Product Range?22:01 Breakfast or Oats?23:39 The Growth Formula27:37 Go Wide or Go Deep?39:47 Why the Current Team Setup Is Breaking40:07 How to Build a Good Team and Culture?50:33 The 3-Bucket Org Structure (Brand, Sales, Product)01:01:19 Working Capital and Demand Shocks

This episode is a personal one. Kuldeep Jain, Founder and MD at CleanMax | Former Partner at McKinsey & Company, was Shantanu Deshpande’s senior at McKinsey. They share a close bond, and Kuldeep has also invested in Bombay Shaving Company. That trust makes this conversation unusually honest.Kuldeep talks about leaving the safe path, early mistakes, and the phase where he lost 80–90% of his savings. He explains how CleanMax found its direction, how he thinks about hiring and culture, and what the IPO journey really looks like, including roadshows and pricing.What you’ll get from this episode:- Early failure, fear, and staying in the game- Hiring principles and culture built on trust- IPO reality, roadshows, and how pricing worksThey break down the IPO process for what it is: rigorous, compliance heavy, and all about trust. Even pricing is part art.If you want to build something that lasts, this episode is a blueprint.Link to DRHP: https://www.sebi.gov.in/filings/public-issues/aug-2025/clean-max-enviro-energy-solutions-limited_96203.html00:00 Trailer01:30 Early days at McKinsey07:10 Why CleanMax was needed11:13 CleanMax turning point14:20 How to build a strong company culture19:58 What is Ashirvad Day?27:53 From McKinsey colleagues to founders32:47 How to take your company to an IPO36:30 When to decide your company is ready to go public43:34 Going public and who plans to buy the shares51:52 Closing thoughts

What happens when two people realise India isn’t lacking luxury, but starving for togetherness?They walked away from stable careers and built a ₹120 CR hospitality brand that proves ‘luxury’ isn’t always required to succeed! In this episode of The Barbershop, Shantanu sits down with Deven Parulekar (Founder of SaffronStays), who built his brand on one simple belief: where families bond. From a honeymoon dream many years ago to a reality in 2015, this vision has expanded into a network of 425 villas, each designed to bring people closer.But here’s the part that sets this story apart: SaffronStays refuses the ‘luxury’ tag. Its heart lies in homes that feel welcoming, with villas kept ready for every moment without anyone stepping in uninvited.An unexpected call about a 130-year-old heritage home changed everything, opening the door to a vision that would one day aim to become the Taj of homestays in India. And through the years, the brand has quietly reshaped how India thinks about travel, belonging, and human connection.What you’ll discover:- Why the brand refuses to be ‘the largest’, but strives to be ‘the finest’, with a mission to combat loneliness.- How human bonds spark real business growth- How hardships during COVID-19 opened the door to unexpected success- How one historic villa changed the company’s direction- The three values that build lasting brands.If you’ve ever experienced the joy of bonding with your people, watch how a villa brand reimagined Indian hospitality by focusing on bonds, over luxury. Navigate your way through the chapters00:00 Coming Up01:44 Introduction03:28 How Deven Built SaffronStays05:42 How Hospitality Has Changed08:27 What Makes Villa Stays Special12:27 Growing and Understanding Guests16:00 How SaffronStays Stands Out19:05 How Travel Trends Affect Hotels26:14 What SaffronStays Promises Guests31:18 Villas Today and Why “Luxury” Feels Overused35:26 The First Home and Brand Journey39:44 Where Most Bookings Come From41:48 Meeting Post-COVID Guest Needs47:57 The Philosophy Behind Caretaking50:25 Using Instagram to Connect53:11 “Where Families Bond” in Action55:19 Favourite Villas and Top Picks59:22 Do Guests Come Back?1:03:25 Making Marketing Meaningful1:08:27 Advice from Shantanu1:14:02 Why They Chose the Blue Ocean1:20:40 Understanding Valuation1:24:53 How Travel Is Changing1:26:45 Closing Thoughts

Men are breaking silently, and most people do not notice until it is too late.This Men’s Day conversation brings Shantanu together with Chirag Taneja and the GoKwik team to talk about the quiet struggles that shape a man’s life.Men live shorter, visit doctors less, hide pain behind work, and carry pressure they never learned to talk about.Many grow up without strong male role models. Many lose friendships after marriage.Many feel responsible for everyone but themselves.Most of this remains unspoken because men are taught to stay strong even when strength is slipping away.In this episode, they finally say the things men usually swallow.They talk about exhaustion that has no outlet, about feeling misunderstood in rooms full of people, about why therapy often misses what men cannot put into words.Watch this if you want to understand the men in your life. Or if you are a man who has been waiting for someone to understand you.Navigate your way through these chapters:00:00 Coming Up01:00 Introduction & Opening Discussion05:05 Male Health & Mental Wellness Statistics10:14 Society's Expectations on Men14:13 Legal Frameworks & Therapy Challenges19:02 Q&A: Stereotypes About Masculinity25:15 Balancing Ambition, Career & Self-Care31:03 Financial Responsibilities & Partner Expectations37:00 Leadership & Modern Men in the Workplace41:45 Shared Values & Relationship Manifestos44:08 Men's Starter Kit for the New Generation50:00 Closing Thoughts

Scared of interviews? Maybe you're following the wrong rulebook.In this episode, Shantanu sits with a group of students to break down what interviews actually are. Not tests. Not interrogations. But human conversations where trust, honesty and connection matter far more than memorised answers.Shantanu pulls apart the fear, the overthinking, the nervousness that students walk in with, and reveals the real strategy: show up as someone your interviewer will genuinely enjoy working with.From decoding the classic McKinsey-style interview model to understanding why fun, clarity and natural communication create the strongest impression, this conversation opens up the side of interviews no one teaches in college.What you’ll discover:• Why interviews are built on connection, not perfection• How trust, honesty and humility shape your first impression• The three-part structure interviewers use to evaluate candidates• How fun, flow and real conversation shift decisions• The difference between trying to impress someone and working with someone• What interviewers actually remember after you leave the roomCan staying relaxed, real and human be the biggest interview advantage?Tune in to see Shantanu decode the mindset that helps students walk into any interview with confidence, clarity and heart.Navigate your way through these chapters00:00 Coming Up00:40 Introduction01:31 How Consulting Interviews Really Work03:06 What Interviewers Actually Look For11:40 Students Rank Top Interview Qualities16:31 The Real Interview Filter19:10 Strategy to Crack Your Dream Interview23:07 What You Think Matters vs What Actually Matters25:41 Stop Impressing, Start Showing You Can Work With Them29:41 How Shantanu Interviews & What He Notices First32:06 Lessons From Anuj Paul33:47 Closing Thoughts

In the chaos of laughter, how does a comedian think of conquering the unpredictable world of business?In this exciting episode of Barbershop, Shantanu sits down with Kenny Sebastian, who is stepping into the world of entrepreneurship with his own perfume brand, The Stage. But the twist is he’s not just launching a fragrance, but is ready to challenge big players in the market with a daring entrepreneurial debut.Kenny, known for his sharp wit and stage presence, reveals how he’s blending his passion for comedy with the art of perfume-making. Mic Check and Spotlight, the two fragrances he’s launching, aren’t just scents; they’re his personal tribute to the stage that shaped him.And to make this vision a reality, Kenny had no one but the Bombay Shaving Company team by his side. From exploring perfume branding to choosing the right mood board, BSC’s expertise has been crucial in shaping the brand.What you’ll discover:- How the BSC team helped Kenny launch his own perfume brand from scratch.- The secret behind Mic Check and Spotlight, more than just names- Why Kenny’s perfume brand could compete in both the ₹3,000+ and ₹500 price ranges.- The challenges and triumphs of blending comedy with entrepreneurship.- Can a comedian make it in the business world?Tune in to find out how Kenny’s stage persona is influencing his new venture and why The Stage is set to disrupt India’s perfume market.Navigate your way through these chapters 00:00 Coming up00:33 Introduction02:21 How Kenny started The Stage with BSC’s support06:32 Kenny x BSC team09:29 How Rohit Taneja helped launch The Stage 13:17 Why did The Stage begin with two perfumes?18:28 Naming the perfumes and how stand-up influenced the brand27:31 The role of packaging and vendors29:12 Why pricing should reflect value, not just cost32:01 Ticket pricing lessons from stand-up34:32 Premium ≠ Price 41:04 Crafting The Stage’s launch strategy45:31 Why The Stage could be India’s next big perfume brand46:43 Showcasing Mic Check and Spotlight55:21 Closing thoughts

What’s it really like to work inside one of India’s most loved D2C brands?In this episode, Shantanu visits Ashoka University to talk to students about the journey of Bombay Shaving Company - how it started, why it was built, and the values that continue to guide its growth story.From startup stories and brand-building lessons to honest conversations about risk, purpose, and culture, it’s a peek into what goes behind building a D2C brand that people truly love.Two interns also share their experiences while working at Bombay Shaving Company, the learnings, surprises, and what it’s really like behind the scenes of a fast-growing D2C business. What’s the one skill you’d love to learn from the team at Bombay Shaving Company? Tell us in the commentsNavigate your way through these chapters00:00 Coming Up00:34 How Bombay Shaving Company Started02:43 Why They Chose to Build BSC06:32 Core Values That Drive the Brand08:16 An Intern’s Experience at BSC14:55 What to Expect Ahead