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

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! Hit LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE for more inspiring conversations.Drop your thoughts in the comments! And if you’d like to join our next conversation as a live audience member, sign up here :- https://forms.gle/uY8w2an4Q44mN9dd800:00 Coming Up01:15 Introduction06:06 The Dichotomy of Founders: Passion vs. Market Analysis12:02 Cultural Exports: Lessons from Korea18:10 The Evolution of the Indian Consumer21:08 The Importance of Passion in Entrepreneurship23:52 The Dynamics of Brand Building and Design26:45 The Role of Community and Support in Business29:57 The Journey of Growth and Resilience32:59 Creating Products with Purpose and Identity41:21 Building a Consistent Brand Identity42:10 Navigating Product Life Cycles and Manufacturing43:35 Philosophy of Timeless Design45:30 Evolution of a Travel Lifestyle Brand46:58 Balancing Focus and Scale in Business49:02 Expanding into Global Markets50:39 Creating an Exceptional Retail Experience54:57 Importance of Offline Presence01:00:11 The Role of Design in Brand Experience01:02:39 The Impact of Retail on Digital Performance01:09:10 Lessons from Adversity in Business01:21:46 Importance of Patience in Building Brands01:23:39 Valuation Challenges in Entrepreneurship01:24:20 Understanding Business Valuation and Investment01:26:18 The Risks of Overvaluation01:28:19 The Reality of Angel Investing01:30:08 Building a Brand with Passion and Quality01:32:15 Navigating Competition in the Market01:34:03 The Role of Patience in Brand Evolution01:35:35 The Power of Team Dynamics01:36:03 Leadership and Team Culture01:39:40 Celebrity Endorsements and Brand Identity01:42:30 The Impact of Profitability on Brand Partnerships01:45:30 Collaborative Opportunities Between Brands01:48:05 The Journey of Fundraising and Building Trust01:51:56 Closing Thoughts on Building a Business