On its 13th anniversary, Bewakoof’s founder shares an inspiring journey of persistence and growth from humble beginnings in Mumbai.
On the 13th anniversary of Bewakoof, a clothing brand that has established a strong presence among urban youth in India, founder and CEO Prabhkiran Singh took to LinkedIn to share his entrepreneurial journey, which began in a modest office in a Mumbai slum. Singh’s detailed account highlights the challenges he encountered and the resilience that enabled the growth of his brand.
In his post, Singh reflects on the early days of Bewakoof, recalling that they rented their first office for Rs 6,000 per month in a cramped slum space with a tin shed roof. “Our first ‘office’ was in a slum in Mumbai — Rs 6,000/month rent for a small space on the top floor with a tin shed,” he wrote. The working conditions were far from ideal; the office was furnished with plastic chairs and makeshift tables, exacerbated by the extreme heat of the Mumbai climate, which was intolerable without air conditioning. Singh noted, “Between the Mumbai sun and the heat from our machines, it was unbearable without an AC. But our will to build? Unshakable.”
After two years of operating in those challenging conditions, the company made a significant move to a larger office in Ghatkopar’s industrial estate. Singh described the upgrade: “This time, we had real chairs — the ones with wheels. And an AC. I remember us playing football in the empty office, soaking in the joy of small upgrades. For two full weeks, we truly felt the perks.” This transition reflected not only physical growth but also an expansion in the company’s vision, as Bewakoof pioneered the direct-to-consumer (D2C) model in India during a time when the industry was still developing.
Despite the company’s progress, Singh acknowledged that the day-to-day struggles often overshadowed their achievements. He emphasized the importance of taking time to reflect on their journey, particularly on their official launch date of April 1. “Every year, I make it a ritual: April 1st is my reset day. My day to breathe,” he shared. On this designated day, he visits the office not to work but to contemplate their accomplishments. “I’m my biggest critic the whole year — but today, I pause to say: You did a decent job. You deserve this day off,” he added.
Singh’s reflections convey not only the perseverance required in entrepreneurship but also the significance of recognizing progress, no matter how incremental, along the way. The journey of Bewakoof exemplifies the challenges and triumphs faced by startups in India’s fast-evolving retail landscape.
Source: Noah Wire Services
