Meet Mrs Sheetal Bhalerao: The successful woman COO of QuikShef & Mobility Ltd bags the Trendsetter Award 2022

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One can witness the rising trend in the Global corporate world in which women increasingly fill the Chief Operating Officer or CEO positions. The change can be seen in the Indian business environment too. One name that’s becoming visible in the present scenario is Mrs Sheetal Bhalerao of QuikShef& Mobility Ltd.

Sheetal Bhalerao is one of the distinguished personalities who has proved her mettle in the automobile industry with her exemplary knowledge and exceptional ideas. Her contribution to her company and woman empowerment has earned her this year’s Trendsetter 2022 award. The award function, held on 24 February 2022, is an annual event organised by TIMES Applaud to felicitate experts for their invaluable knowledge and delivering quality, excellent services to society.

Currently serving as the Chief Operation Officer (COO) at QuikShef & Mobility Ltd, Sheetal Bhalerao sets a perfect example of women’s capabilities. With responsibilities ranging from business strategy planning, back of house management, and other managerial tasks, Mrs Bhalerao has a reflective impact on the organisation’s emotional and financial health.

Talking about her background, Mrs Sheetal Bhalerao is an MBA in Human Resources and services and an alumnus of the University of South Australia. She also mastered her skill in the financial segment.

Sheetal Bhalerao envisions revolutionising the auto industry. With more than 18 years of experience in the industry, she has performed excellently in diverse managerial roles. From being the CEO of Yeppy Foods to becoming COO of QuikShef, the impactful woman has done it all. Mrs Sheetal has a strong grip on Finances. This stronghold is the outcome of the previous insights she gathered while working as an Account and Finance director with JZ Hospitality in Pune.

In the words of Mrs Bhalerao, “As a leader its crucial to see that right people are working at the right job so that a well-planned financial strategy could be executed effectively and helps in the efficient running of the organisation. Also, organisational policy should be formulated on the lines that motivates employees to give their best.”

Under the efficient leadership of Mrs Sheetal Bhalerao, QuikShef ltd has attained record-breaking figures in sales, productivity and profit of the company. The company registered a growth of more than 310%. Her well planned, diverse expansion plans, considering the Government announcements & policies regarding electric vehicles at the central and state levels, were a gamechanger. The Joy e-bike subsidy program 2021-22 by Gujarat Energy Development Agency further strengthened her objectives. The meticulous planning of the top-level manager shows her commitment to the business.

Fintech startup Money View is worth $625M after Series D funding round

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Money View has secured Rs. 576 crore in a funding round. The  fintech startup has become worth $625 million after the round.

Money View has secured Rs. 576 crore ($75 million) in its series D round of fundraising. The Bengaluru-based financial platform run by Whizdm Innovations Pvt Ltd, is worth $625 million after the round.

Evolvence India an Winter Capital, both based in Moscow, have become new investors in this round. Two of Money View’s current investors, took part in this round, including Tiger Global and Accel.

“Money View will use the new funding as growth capital to build the core credit business, grow the team, and add services such as digital bank accounts, wealth management solutions, and insurance to its product line,” according to a spokeswoman.

Puneet Agarwal and Sanjay Aggarwal jointly founded Money View, a major online credit platform that offers a full suite of tailored credit products and personal financial management tools. To offer credit/financial products on its platform, the business has partnered with over 15 banks.

Whizdm Innovations Pvt Ltd claims to have over 1 million monthly App downloads and to serve 200+ million underserved clients.

With 75 percent of users coming from Tier 2/3 cities, the startup’s solid digital infrastructure and frictionless user experience enables for pan-India expansion. The company’s patented data models offer a 360-degree risk evaluation, allowing credit to be extended to neglected segments.

Money View is stated to have increased four times year on year, thanks to outstanding unit economics and a track record of profitability. The company is disbursing loans at a $700 million annually run rate and is on track to reach $1 billion AUM in the next 12 months.

Money View’s fundraising comes at a time when competition in the fintech market in India is heating up.The desire for digital adoption has been intensified by the limits imposed by Covid-19.

Many fintech startups serving various needs and sectors have funded millions of dollars to capitalise on increased digital use. To be sure, India has produced up to eight unicorns in the fintech area since 2021. Perfios is the only fintech business to enter the prestigious club this year.

Meet Dr. Nachiket Bhatia who turned his father’s failing business into Rs 77 cr DBMCI medical coaching centre

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When a 22-year-old medical college student realised in 2014 that his father’s medical coaching institute was in serious difficulties and on the verge of closure, he went to his father’s aid, restructured the company, and turned its fortunes around in a matter of years.

Today, the Delhi-based Dr. Nachiket Bhatia Medical Coaching Institute (DBMCI), a coaching centre for NEET PG Entrance Exam (PGEE) applicants, is back in the running as a category leader, with a turnover of Rs 77 crore in fiscal 2020-21.Dr.

Dr. Nachiket Bhatia was doing his MBBS at Subharti Medical College in Meerut (2011-2017) when a salesman from a competing coaching centre visited his college in 2014 to advertise their institute. “Dr. Nachiket BhatiaNachiket Bhatia was doing his MBBS at Subharti Medical College in Meerut (2011-2017) when a salesman from a competing coaching centre visited his college in 2014 to advertise their institute. “

“So I asked him, what if I’m interested in Bhatia Coaching?”

Nachiket recalls the moment that transformed his life. He had witnessed the evolution of DBMCI as a child, and how his father had constructed the organisation brick by brick.

His father, Dr Mukesh Bhatia, who was running a clinic from the garage of his 3 BHK house in Rohini, Delhi, had opened a coaching centre for medical PGEE aspirants in 1992, the year he was born.

He had launched DBMCI in a room in his residence with four students. The institute quickly grew in popularity and spread across the country. By 2008, their revenue had surpassed Rs 2 crore. There were 20 centres with approximately 15,000 students and 40 faculty members dispersed throughout cities such as Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Vadodara, Jaipur, Bengaluru, and Kolkata.

Dr. Nachiket Bhatia was staying at the hostel at the time.

He says, “I had to pick between my father’s company and my MBBS.I balanced both by devoting three days to college and three days to business.  In the end, I did become a doctor, but with the lowest college attendance and the lowest grades.”

But Nachiket was not sorry as he knew was doing all that he could to save his father’s reputation and business.

“While I was studying for my MBBS, my father changed the direction of the coaching institute,” he explains.

DBMCI established approximately 20 satellite centres in 2012, where students listened to recorded video courses.

By 2014, the number of centres had reached 100, by 2014. However, Nachiket’s father was unable to handle it alone, and the business began to fail.

“There were also managerial issues.” The coaching institute operated as a family business, as they would contact Dr. Nachiket Bhatia even if a light bulb needed to be replaced someplace.

Almost a dozen employees were managing all the things, which contributed to the demise. This was because they were not able to handle everything, including the expanding business. Employees began to leave when the student service deteriorated. Despite the difficult condition, only the most devoted remained. Nachiket seized over and started out to sort things out.

He kept up to date on the latest marketing strategies and instilled professionalism in the organisation.

“We hired a business head who understood how to run a firm and manage a franchise structure,” Nachiket explains. “

As DBMCI’s marketing and spokesperson, I visited medical institutions in over 200 cities across the country.

It aided in the re-establishment of the brand. Nachiket completed his MBBS in 2017 and began working full-time at the firm.

DMMCI had a turnover of Rs 20 crore during that time period, however the company was losing money. That year, he launched a course for the dentistry PG entrance test.

“We started with a batch of 40 students at a building in Patel Nagar, Delhi,” says Nachiket, who also launched a game-changing app the following year. “

Even though my monetary reserves were decreasing, I invested in technology and released an app called eGurukul, which was developed for students who want to study the course material on their own time.

“The software has content for medical as well as dental postgraduate examinations.

“eGurukul comprises pre-recorded lessons, a question bank, and a test series. However, the app failed to take off.

Our teachers left to open their own coaching centres, and many of our students followed them. However, in 2019, I mortgaged our home and acquired finances to relaunch eGurukul in January 2020.”By May 2020, we were profitable and had paid off all of our debts.

“Because of the Covid shutdown, our coaching centre went online.” Their numerous courses cost between Rs 14,000 and Rs 1 lakh. The company now has a total of 209 employees.

Nachiket’s father, Dr. Mukesh Bhatia, is now developing curriculum for the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Exam), a one-day, three-step computer-based exam for medical students wishing to practise in the United States.

It would be a significant barrier to overcome for medical professionals who wish to relocate abroad.

DBMCI plans to launch a course for USMLE hopefuls soon.

Anu Bhatia, Nachiket’s mother, is also involved in the firm. Urvashi, his younger sister, is a lawyer.

Renu Sharma Bike Rider successfully completes 2000 Km ride for women empowerment

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You must have heard about the old saying that behind every successful man is a woman. And the same is now becoming true for every successful woman. More and more women are coming forward to support each other for the great cause of women empowerment. One such woman is Renu Sharma, a professional web designer, and a passionate biker, who has just achieved a significant feat.

Renu, who lives in Jaipur, Rajasthan, has successfully completed a 2000 km ride in only a few days. Her mission behind the feat was to empower other women.

It is noteworthy that Renu completed the 2000 km ride in just a week’s time and that too in the scorching summer heat of the deserts of Rajasthan.

She went on the ride on March 3 and ended it on March 9, 2022, just to put smiles on the faces of more women this season. During the ride, Renu felicitated almost a hundred women, providing free application to online business consultancy, giving out 500 free women’s hygiene kits, and traveling 2000 km to meet 1000+ people to complete her mission.

Renu, has been riding bikes for a couple of years now. She rides a Harley Davidson FortyEight a 1200 cc best at the moment.

Renu Sharma is also a successful businesswoman who founded CuteVamp, a website designing and digital marketing firm. 

Here’s the timeline of Renu Sharma’s stunning bike ride:

Day 1 (3 March 2022)

Renu started the ride with Flag-off by Mr. Navneet Saraf, Director Dunes Chapter, Harley Davidson, and Mr. Anuj Sharma, Activities Officer Dunes Chapter, Harley Davidson. After that Renu did a ride in the Pink City of Jaipur and felicitated over 50 women. Hundreds of women’s hygiene kits were distributed in Jaipur, and a small cake cutting ceremony was held in the city.

Day 2: (4 March 2022)

Renu distributed some free training application forms and women’s hygiene kits. She did a nearly 550 km ride during which she met many new people.

Day 3: (5 March 2022)

Sangrur – Ludhiana – Chandigarh – Ludhiana. Renu distributed some women’s hygiene kits and met many riders in Ludhiana and Chandigarh. She also joined Mr. Yograj Singh in Peace Ride – Chandigarh.

Day 4: (6 March 2022)

Ludhiana – Mohali – Chandigarh. Renu joined the GT Chapter Ride from Ludhiana to Mohali and joined an event in Mohali. She met with GT Chapter and Himalayan Chapter HOGs (Riders) and explored a part of Chandigarh.

Day 5: (7 March 2022)

Chandigarh – Bhatinda – Suratgarh. Renu started riding from Chandigarh and stopped at Bhatinda where she met some women. She then began riding to Suratgarh where she celebrated Women’s Day by cutting a cake.

Day 6: (8 March 2022)

Suratgarh – Bikaner – Jaipur. Renu received a heart touching warm welcome by Chander Kala ji Family & friends. She celebrated Women’s Day in Bikaner, and paid a guest visit to Car Bazar Bikaner.

Day 7: (9 March 2022)

Renu successfully completed her unique Women Empowerment mission by ending the 2000 Km ride at 2:00 AM. She then returned happily to her home after successfully completing the entire significant task.

Times Applaud bestows Women Iconza 2022 award to Dr. Dimple Bhosale Bains for her excellent gynaecology & skin and hair care services

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Giving birth to a child is the cherished dream of every married couple. But, sadly, many couples in the world have trouble conceiving because of several health issues. One such person who is helping couples fulfill their dream of a child is Dr. Dimple Bhosale Bains, who is an experienced gynecologist, obstetrics and celebrity skin & hair expert from Navi Mumbai. Leading press release and PR agency, Times Applaud, has hence honored Dr. Dimple with the Women Iconza 2022 award for providing excellent services in gynaecology and as a skin expert.

In spite of all the talks of woman empowerment and the remarkable achievements that woman are making today, being able to give birth to a child continues to hold huge importance in a woman’s life. A woman is considered to be complete when she becomes a mother, even in these modern times. The experience of childbirth is in fact a major event that has significant psychological importance in a woman’s life. It is said that giving birth to a child forever shapes the way a woman sees herself.  If she fails to give a heir to a family, a woman not only has a low self-esteem but it can also negatively affect her relationship with her partner and his family. This may even affect a woman’s personal as well as professional life. That is where a gynecologist comes to the help of such women.  Gynecologists are women’s health experts who specialize in the female reproductive system.

Besides infertility a woman may suffer from several other diseases that are related only to females. Specialist gynaecologists like Dr. Dimple Bhosale Bains care for and treat women of all ages – from puberty to old age. The service that Dr. Dimple provides focuses on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of specific diseases in women.

But, that is not the only service she provides, as Dr Dimple is also an obstetrician who cares for the health of women during and after pregnancy. Being an obstetrician, Dr Dimple also deals with the health of the fetus, and her duties involve monitoring of womb throughout gestation. She has provided full range of gynecology services, and built special interests in all aspects of obstetrics, fertility preservation and high risk pregnancies. As an infertility expert, Dr Dimple has provided treatment to many couples and helped them give birth to a child. She is devoted to dealing with the individual needs and demands of patients in a caring and warm environment, and is known to be very compassionate, and focused on the care of her patients.

She has also helped many young girls and woman for Pcos (Polycystic ovary syndrome –  hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age). Dr. Dimple has enabled these girls and woman to lead healthy lifestyles.

Apart from being a gynaecologist, and obstetrician, she also provides a complete package to women for their beautiful looks and optimum health. Dr. Dimple is also a celebrity skin and hair specialist who has provided her skin and hair care services to many celebrities.

She has also been doing free health camps for women in both rural as well as urban areas.  Dr. Dimple and her team reach to the women in these areas who are not able to seek proper medical facilities & treatment. She has been providing these women with services including free consultation, free blood test, and ECG.

Dr. Dimple also serves as Human Rights President of Navi Mumbai where she provides social service to people who are facing social issues.

Dr. Dimple has become a role model for many women today and truly deserves the Women Iconza 2022 award with which she was felicitated by popular socialite, Hruta Jeetendra Awhad, and distinguished actress of the TV industry, Ms Pooja Gor, at MG Motor India, Mumbai, on March 3, 2022.

The team at Times Applaud wishes Dr. Dimple Bhosale Bains all the best for her future endeavor at her medical facility, Dr. Dimple’s Clinic in Vashi, Navi Mumbai.

WILL DUBAI’S DIGITAL ASSET REGULATION FUNCTION AS A MAGNET FOR INDIAN CRYPTO STARTUPS?

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With key players like Binance being on the verge of shifting their business to Dubai, the new regulation pertaining to digital assets would accelerate the growth of crypto industry in the emirate. The main objective behind this regulation is to create a framework which aims to protect investors and provide international guidelines that will facilitate growth in Dubai.

An independent authority has been established to supervise the creation of the world’s greatest virtual asset business environment in terms of legislation, licensing, governance, and alignment with local and global financial systems

What does this mean for Indian crypto startups who are still facing regulatory issues in their own land? According to Advocate P.M. Mishra, founder of Finjuris Counsel FZ-LLC, UAE and Finlaw Consultancy Pvt. Ltd, India, it is expected that a major chunk of Indian crypto startups would move their business to Dubai due to the regulatory ambiguity regarding cryptocurrency industry in India. Considering the amount of people and businesses venturing into the crypto industry, his would cause a huge loss to the Indian digital asset industry as most of the revenue earned by Indian crypto startups would remain in Dubai.

Apart from that, the geographical location of Dubai is a lot more favorable due to the distance between India and UAE. This increases the ease of conducting business. To retain businesses in nexus with the crypto industry, it is very important for the government of India to take a proactive decision of bringing in an effective legislation to promote the interests of investors as well as entrepreneurs who wish to explore the arena of virtual digital asset industry.

It is high time that the government sheds clarity on its stand regarding cryptocurrency and regulates the market and its players in a manner that ensures both safety and profitability. There must be no room for exploitation of investors in the cryptocurrency space, says Advocate P.M. Mishra. (Finlaw Consultancy)

Pratibha Kanoi from Mommy’s Kitchen bestowed with the Woman Iconza award for Inspirational Women Entrepreneur

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On Thursday, 3rd March 2022, Times Applaud and Namaste Bahrain along with M. G. Motors, Mumbai organized Women Iconza Awards 2022 in Mumbai, in which Pratibha Kanoi the Founder of Mommy’s Kitchen was felicitated with INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN ENTREPRENEUR during this event. 

It is never too late to follow your dreams! How many times have we heard that but never taken it seriously? Well, to inspire your journey, we bring you the story of Pratibha Kanoi, who started a successful business venture at the age of 67.

Mumbai-based mother and grandmother, Pratibha would have never dreamed that her home-made  Pizzas would become the toast of the city. what can you say about talent?  Her story is inspirational for all. 
For most of her life, Pratibha had been a homemaker, taking care of her family. When the pandemic hit, she and her family decided that they would not eat any outside food. But then lockdown cravings hit everyone, and since her 2 sons, their wives and kids live with her, she decided to make pizzas at home.

The pizzas turned out to be so good that her sons encouraged her to actually turn it into an enterprise. Thus on May 2, 2020, Mommy’s Kitchen was born. Serving vegetarian pizzas, in a short time her clients have grown. pratibha and her in-house team, including cooks who stay at home, do all the cooking.

Delivery is done through Dunzo and dedicated chauffeurs and bikers. Initially, they would ask their customers to pre-order a day before but now  they deliver  same  day. They serve Margherita, Fungi, Primavera, Diet Pizza and Mommy’s Special. Pastas like Aglio E Olio, Spaghetti Arrabbiata, and Cheesy Spaghetti are also on the menu. Pratibha makes all of her pizzas from scratch, including the dough and sauce. Her small business has become so famous that big  shot Mumbai names like Devendra Fadnavis, Praful Patel, Sonali Bendre, the Bachchan family, and filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar are a part of her clientele. 

She is perfect example of how to convert problem into opportunity.

Hon. Governor of Maharashtra honors Jyoti Adhav for being a humanitarian and trendsetter in woman empowerment

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More and more women are being honored and recognized for their hard work, and remarkable achievements in the global corporate world. Mrs. Jyoti Adhav is a humanitarian, who has made her mark not only in the corporate world but also as an artist. She has hence been honored with the Trendsetter 2022 award by Times Applaud, a leading press release and public relations agency.

Mrs. Jyoti Adhav is one of the gifted artists whose work has been recognized by renowned artists in India. But, that’s not all, as Mrs. Jyoti is also a sophisticated businesswoman who has rendered significant service to humanity. During a mega-event held recently in Mumbai, the Honorable Governor of Maharashtra, Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari honored Mrs. Jyoti with Times Applaud’s Trendsetter 2022.

When people are rewarded, their need for appreciation is fulfilled. This also motivates others to put in their best efforts to create or do something valuable for the world. Women have made great strides in every field and need to be noticed and valued for delivering excellent services to society. Times Applaud understands this need for appreciation and hence organizes the Trendsetter award ceremony every year to felicitate leaders in various fields for their invaluable knowledge and delivering quality, excellent services to society.

Times Applaud hosted the Trendsetter 2022 award ceremony to honor, appreciate and applaud the success of people like Mrs. Jyoti for their remarkable role as trendsetters in different fields.

Mrs. Jyoti Adhav is a self-taught abstract painter whose raw and visceral depiction of human survival brings into open creation process a struggle between physical act of creating and canvas. She is one of the gifted artists whose work has been recognised by renowned artists in India. Being an unblemished portrait of an artist, businesswoman, and a caring mother, she is the epitome of confidence and professionalism. Mrs. Jyoti is currently doing her PhD in Fine Arts.

Being an artist and a businesswoman at the same time is no easy task. But, other than being an extremely creative artist, Mrs. Jyoti Adhav is also a successful businesswoman. In fact, you will be amazed when you have a look at all the key roles she plays in different enterprises, including an NGO. Mrs. Jyoti is the Founder/Director/Artist of Jyo Arts and Decors, a brand under Trio Arts and Décor, which is an ultra-modern art studio. Here, she showcases her fine art skills through explicit and exclusive décor products. Mrs. Jyoti is also one of the directors of Safpro Industries, a condiment manufacturing company, based in Pune. In this business, she makes sure to streamline daily operations to sales. The company has gradually grown during the last few years and is taking its products to more continents.

Apart from being a prolific artist and businesswoman, Mrs. Jyoti is also a humanitarian, who is passionate about giving back to society. She has served humanity through the establishment of Vasumati Welfare Foundation with the cooperation of her husband Mr. Vijay Adhav.

Vasumati Welfare Foundation is an NGO that the couple launched on 26th January, Republic Day, 2020, with the noble cause of helping the poor and deprived. The organisation works to provide medical facilities and conduct food donation drives for the needy. Vasumati Welfare Foundation is also playing a key role in woman empowerment by sponsoring the girl child’s education. The organisation believes education is a tool for a better future, and is hence sponsoring the education till Std. X, for a young girl who is a Std. IV student.

Vasumati Welfare Foundation has also been rendering service to humanity during the Covid-19 pandemic period. It organized free health check-up and consultation to help people recover from post COVID symptoms. During this drive, people were provided with Ayurvedic medicines and therapies with consultation from expert members of the medical fraternity.

Vasumati Welfare Foundation also distributed free food packets and immunity kits during the pandemic. It held a grocery donation drive in January 2022 to provide basic necessities to poor families. The organisation also created and distributed free immunity kits. In association with Ayurvedic brand Dhanawantri Kerala, it created and distributed free kits to boost immunity for protection from Covid-19.

Mrs. Jyoti Adhav has now become an excellent role model for women’s empowerment and inspiration for many people. She truly deserves the Trendsetter 2022 award, which she received on February 24, 2022, at Governor’s House Raj Bhavan in Malabar Hill, Mumbai.

We wish Mrs. Jyoti the best for all her future endeavors in art, business, and service to humanity.

DeepTek secures Rs 77 cr in funding round led by Tata Capital Healthcare Fund to boost global outreach

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DeepTek has secured Rs 77 crore in a funding round. The healthtech startup will use the
money to boost its global outreach.
DeepTek, a healthtech business, has raised Rs 77 crore ($10 million) in a Series A round of
funding.
Pentathlon Ventures and GHV participated in the round that was led by Tata Capital Healthcare
Fund II (TCHF II).

A Japanese IT corporation, NTT DATA, provided investment to the startup based in the United
States and Pune.
According to a news statement, the money would allow DeepTek to engage more in worldwide
outreach as well as obtaining critical regulatory approvals.
DeepTek, founded in 2017 by Ajit Patil, focuses on developing AI tools to accurately analyse
and increase the productivity of radiology diagnostics.
DeepTek’s customers include Hospitals and imaging facilities in India, Japan, Singapore, and
other countries in Asia Pacific countries.

Inspiring story of V Noushad who built Rs.1500cr Walkaroo footwear brand after his father rose from poverty

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V Noushad launched his own brand of footwear after being part of his father’s business for over a decade. The new brand Walkaroo has now become a Rs 1500 crore turnover business.

What his father started from the ground up, rising from poverty to develop a successful footwear industry, his son has taken to a new level with his own footwear brand, Walkaroo.

After working for his father’s VKC Footwear brand for over a decade, V Noushad started Walkaroo in 2012 from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

VKC was formed in the 1980s by his father, VKC Mammed Koya, who had previously worked as a chaiwallah and contract employee before starting VKC. VKC, situated in Kerala, began by producing hawai chappals (rubber flip-flops), then progressed to PVC and PU footwear.

What his father started from the ground up, rising from poverty to develop a successful footwear industry, his son has taken to a new level with his own footwear brand, Walkaroo, which is now a Rs 1500 crore revenue business.

After working for his father’s VKC Footwear brand for over a decade, V Noushad started Walkaroo in 2012 from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. VKC was formed in the 1980s by his father,

Noushad was born and raised in Nallalam. VKC and Fathima Bi, a homemaker, raised him in Kozhikode, along with three other siblings, an elder brother and two younger sisters.

“Our father is an out-of-school dropout.”

My father asked me what I wanted to accomplish with my life while I was in Class 7. ‘No matter what you do, do it well.’ “This pep talk transformed my life trajectory, and I decided I wanted to be a business owner like my father.

His father then began manufacturing rubber slippers under the trade name VKC in 1984.”

 He sent me a textbook on rubber technology two years later and asked me to explain it.

I studied it completely, learned a lot, and became interested in science as a result “Noushad, who has a strong academic background, will play a key role in introducing PVC and PU footwear to VKC.

He attended GMUP School in Nallalam and graduated from Government Engineering College in Thrissur with a B. Tech in chemical engineering. He later completed his M. Tech in Polymer Science at Cochin University of Science and Technology (1991-93).

Noushad explains, “When I finished my B. Tech, I intended to join my father’s firm, but I immediately realised that I wouldn’t be able to provide much value. My master’s thesis was on lightweight hawai chappal.

While conducting his investigation, Noushad discovered that there wasn’t much room for lightweight hawai chappals, as PVC slippers were already popular. This led Noushad to enrol in IIT Madras, in 1995, for a Ph.D. in the field.

Despite the fact that he was unable to complete his degree, he had learned adequate information to work on PVC footwear.

He returned to Kozhikode in 1998 and joined VKC, where he helped launch their PVC footwear using imported Taiwanese machinery.

“We obtained the first mover advantage in the PVC footwear market in South India,” says Noushad, who, along with his brother Razak, began to leverage his technical knowledge to establish VKC.

The brothers launched EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) footwear in 2003, which replaced rubber soles with a softer, lighter, and more flexible material.

I purchased a map of Tamil Nadu and went to shopkeepers in each district on my own.

“They embraced our items because they were good,” Noushad says of their entry into Tamil Nadu.

The brothers debuted PU (Polyurethane) footwear in 2006.

They met a business expert two years later who advised them on how to expand their brand.

VKC’s annual revenue was approximately Rs 100 crore at the time.

“We opened warehouses in North India – Kanpur and New Delhi – and East India – Kolkata and Odisha,” Noushad explains.

They began production in Mysuru, Karnataka, in 2010, in Vapi, Gujarat, in 2011, and in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, in 2012.  With increased sales, their revenue reached Rs 900 crore in FY 2013-14.

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