PHOTOGRAPHER: Mohit Vihj
L’Officiel Arabia: Varun and Namrata, how do your different personalities complement each other?
Varun: My wife has a beautiful aesthetic sense, which I have recently started to enjoy and appreciate. Prior to being married, my busy lifestyle didn’t allow me the time to enjoy very much outside of work. Namrata compliments my personality, to slow down and enjoy the small things. Doing up our place was a lovely process.
Namrata: Varun is very cerebral! I often times can be emotionally charged. Him, being calm by nature - most importantly makes me feel secure and supported.
LOA: Namrata, tell us more about Ahikoza and how did you start your entrepreneurial journey?
My Ahikoza journey was a pure call of Destiny. Curious by nature, I dabbled in a few things, prior to starting my design journey. Mainly building my marketing portfolio, and started strategy consulting as well. I remember sitting at my desk at the time, reflecting and asking myself some really difficult questions. I felt stuck and needed a breath of fresh air. I’ve been a handbag collector since the age of 16. For me it was the whole process - fine leather, packaging, the experience of luxury. I thought to myself - why not? I remember the moment like it was yesterday. That spark of inspiration led to my first sketch (looked like a school kids drawing) and that led to the inception of my brand, Ahikoza. A fortnight later, I had my business plan. 6 years later, I consider myself blessed to do what I love. I never thought my label would carried by the likes of Nikki Reed, Nadine Leopold, Grace Elizabeth & Sonam Kapoor to name a few. It’s humbling, these talents have access to every brand in the world. Life is serendipitous. I truly believe a vision supported by hard work and gumption will never fail you. No matter how many falls, lessons and seasons, you endure through the process.
LOA: Varun, you are pursuing your executive education from Stanford; with a business in renewable energy. How and when did you decide to get into climate change industry?
One never stops learning, and this mindset continues to fuel me till date. I was passionate about climate change; cognizant of the fact, that not only is it lucrative industry, but one with a ethical and social responsibility bone. I met the founder of GPS renewables, at an airport lounge due to a delayed flight. True story. This was in 2017. Fast forward, aligned vision ensued a business relationship. As their Chief Business Officer, I’m proud to say we’ve achieved several milestones. We’ve set up Asia’s largest Waste to BioCNG plant, our company has been granted 5 patents and today we have more than 100 Bio gas plants, making us the largest player in South Asia. This is just the beginning.
LOA: Varun, how has your political lineage shaped you as a person?
Varun: It’s a double edged sword. My father is one of the highest educated in the current council of ministers. He is the deputy finance minister of India, the fifth largest economy in the world. Having said that, he comes from very humble beginnings. I’ve witnessed his journey first handily and it has been awed inspiring and exemplary. He set the core values for our family by example, truly walking the talk. I get my work ethic and drive from him; it’s a trait I stand tall on. If you truly want to test a man’s character - give him power. I’ve been fortunate to yield only the best fruits from my father’s character. It’s what you do with power that counts. Having said that, it can be distracting at times. Like a house of glass, you must tread carefully. A political lineage requires a certain refined tact, which only on the go experience will teach you.
LOA: Have you both been to the UAE? If yes, how was your experience?
Varun: We both have been to UAE at different time periods, but never together. Albeit, both of us love it. It’s full of culinary richness, arts & warmth. Namrata having moved to India, and us being in a closer proximity - we look toward to visiting together. As our family grows, we often talk about buying our holiday home there.
LOA: Considering the fierce competition in Today’s business world, how would you highlight your company’s competitive advantages? What makes it stand out of the crowd?
Namrata: It’s an extremely competitive space. For Ahikoza particularly, I accredit its success to having a defined, and now, recognized brand DNA. Essentially my designs are an aesthetic symmetry. That, and strong CRM in place. We evolve with our consumers, and they’re needs. I’m not here to be the next trend, I aim to be a value addition to one’s wardrobe; and make each Ahikoza an experiential purchase. Luxury is an emotion; one I want to evoke every time a woman carry’s my handbag.
Varun: GPS is a pioneer in the Bio - Energy sector that has had a lot of Business firsts. Such that, bring one of the first commercially viable captive Bio Gas plants. The first distributed Bio Gas plant, & the first Bio Gas to EV charging station. And at present we’re currently building the largest MSW to Bio CNG plant in the world. Our competitive advantage is our highly qualified and experienced management. Furthermore, GPS has a strong culture, everyone is a team player. As I say success is a team sport.
Our investors, Tridos Capital Management and Neev Fund are highly supportive of our growth plans. Our strategic tie ups with the likes of Mitsui & Co; enabling us to make an actual impact. A chore value we hold at GPS.
LOA: Outline the schedule of one of your typical working days?
Namrata: Every day is different. Being an entrepreneur, you also must assume many responsibilities. I till date, oversee every division. When one is busy, such as production - it allows me to allocate my time to other areas. Work is always a new routine I enjoy though, is discussing each other’s work our goals etc once a week with my husband. Conversations can get heated, but it’s so special to able to share that.
Varun: If I’m at home, the first thing I do is walk our dog Kingston, so he can do his business and I can go about doing my own!
On a serious note, a typical working day in my life means a lot of calls from 9AM onwards. Being a CBO, my responsibilities entail finding new avenues for business growth, which requires a lot of travel. Typically, I’m traveling 2/3 days a week. Since being married, I have a phone ban post dinner. That however rarely works out. I’m a great negotiator.
LOA: What best motivates you? How have your entrepreneurial motivations changed since you first started?
Namrata: Its one life. I aim to do big things in life, not only in space of fashion, but social work, motherhood, spirituality to name a few. Life is about progression and evolving. Entrepreneurship has changed me, in that it’s me the confidence that with right mindset and action set - nothing is impossible.
LOA: Who is your greatest support when facing up hardships in business?
Namrata: However cliche, my biggest support is my husband, Varun. He is my biggest critic, and at the same time my biggest cheerleader. Coming from different industries, we possess different skill sets, that make more for strong synergy. Entrepreneurship can be a very isolating journey. Nothing is guaranteed, and the yield of dedication only heightens with your business growth. Having a partner who understands entrepreneurship from a grass roots level, opens a beautiful line of communication.
LOA: Do you believe there is a winning formula for becoming a successful entrepreneur? What is yours?
Namrata: Entrepreneurship is not what it looks like. It’s a lifestyle and requires a lot of patience along with not hard, but what I call smart work. There is however no formula. The closest to a formula I can think of is learn, relearn, and learn again. Get the foundations of your business right, study every detail of the industry. Good mentors also go a long way. Most important take away for me - I truly believe once you get complacent, you start losing. Keep a humble spirit. Don’t develop an ego and get caught up in the game.
Varun: I’m privileged to meet accomplished Businessmen on a regular basis. I’ve come to realize the common thread to they’re success include - being early risers. They also possess immense grit and decisiveness. Most important they don’t fear failure. After all nothing is to be feared but understood really.
LOA: What’s next for Varun and Namrata?
Namrata: I feel this is the beginning of a beautiful journey we both are embarking both professionally and personally.
Varun: We usually take life on a day to day basis. A common value and goal though are to grow as a couple, and raise well valued children one day. We aspire to have balanced lives, amidst the heat of being young entrepreneurs.
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