Entrepreneurial Journey of Pradeep Krishnakumar, co-founder of Zouk I LocalPreneur Podcast Ep-3

From starting his entrepreneurial journey with his partner in life, Disha to build a brand from scratch, to transitioning from a bootstrapped company to a Funded D2C brand, Pradeep Krishnakumar, co-founder of Zouk, shares his insights on entrepreneurship in India, lessons learned, and more with Abhishansa Mathur, Founder & Editor of Local Samosa.
0:52 - Highlights
1:22 - Introduction
1:24 - Reason behind Zouk. What’s in the name?
3:46 - How Zouk differentiates itself
5:13 - Why did you choose bags
6:19 - Story of Pradeep & Disha’s childhood and the Beginning of their Entrepreneurial Journey
7:57 - What inspired Pradeep & Disha to be the people they are today
11:06 - Opinion on Pradeep’s D2C segment in their category
12:06 - Pradeep’s love for food and interests other than work
16:26 - Qualities that Pradeep got from his parents
18:27 - Experience of working with their partner and division of responsibilities
20:20 - Pradeep’s take on work-life balance with his partner
22:11 - Pradeep’s experience of managing business and baby
24:38 - Process of founding a Lifestyle Brand
31:25 - Research on starting a Vegan Brand and incorporate Indian Designs
34:02 - Zouk’s Manufacturing Journey and norms of Quality Check
36:55 - How does Zouk deal with imitations
38:45 - Incorporation of Local Artisans for Zouk
41:41 - Insights into Bag Market of India
46:44 - Learnings of Zouk being Bootstrapped and Funded
51:20 - Experience on Zouk being an Exhibition First Brand
52:30 - Pros and Cons of being on Marketplaces and having your own Website
58:09 - Steps to get on a Marketplace
59:52 - Plans on entering Quick Commerce
1:00:35 - Experience on how can one prepare for a Funding Round
1:04:16 - Pradeep’s take on Consumer Trends in Bag Industry
1:05:21 - Learnings on building Zouk in cluttered category
1:07:26 - Key Marketing Objectives and Channels for Zouk
1:10:31 - Social Media’s placement in Zouk’s Marketing
1:12:27 - Take on Brand Awareness and Performance Marketing Mix for Zouk
1:13:41 - Experience on working with Content Creators
1:18:21 - Content Creators that Zouk work with
1:19:18 - Why Sara Ali Khan as Brand Ambassador for Zouk?
1:22:28 - Pradeep’s Experience on shooting First Brand Film
1:24:55 - How do you work on building your Founder’s Profile for building Zouk?
1:27:41 - Take on Disha or Pradeep, who is more towards personal branding?
1:28:41 - Pradeep’s take on Networking through both social media and events
1:31:55 - Factors to consider while transitioning from D2C to Omnichannel brand
1:33:47 - Pradeep’s take on when Digital First Brand should go into Offline Retail
1:36:36 - Insight on what it takes to open a Retail Store
1:38:17 - Insight on Pradeep’s take to have a break-even in an Offline Store
1:39:07 - Percentage of Sales coming in from Zouk’s Website
1:39:46 - Take on how pricing plays a role in sales of Zouk
1:40:39 - Pradeep’s Advice to D2C Founders looking to hire Marketing teams
1:42:45 - Things Pradeep had to rewire in his brain to be an Entreprenuer
1:45:51 - Pradeep’s Secret Sauce of Hiring
1:48:00 - Learning Pradeep would like to give to his younger self
1:48:43 - Pradeep’s take on dealing with Mental Health
1::52:31 - Pradeep’s Advice to Aspiring Entrepreneurs
1:44:48 - Conclusion
Fourth episode releasing next week!!
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Start dividing your videos in chapters. Better for a viewer as it's long.