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The Indian startup industry has seen a trend towards husband and wife starting businesses over the past few years, and this new duo has joined forces to navigate the complexities of business ownership together, leveraging complementary skills while building a personal and professional partnership. reflects the fusion of , shared vision and mutual support to carve out a successful venture.
From technology startups to traditional businesses, the couple is redefining India's entrepreneurial landscape, embodying resilience, innovation, and a deep-rooted commitment to both business and relationships. Their journey challenges traditional notions of work-life balance and the boundaries between personal and professional spheres, while highlighting the power of collaboration, communication, and teamwork to pursue entrepreneurial dreams. .
Here are three power couples who are making a mark together in their respective fields.
vibrant entrepreneurs
Aditi Bhosale Walunj and Chetan Walunj, Founders, Repos Energy
Repos launched in 2017 with a vision to help the world move towards a carbon-neutral future by bridging the gap between clean energy supply and demand using solutions powered by the latest technology. Founded by Aditi Bhosale Walunj and Chetan Walunj. Over the past five years, Repos has successfully established an ecosystem of services and products that are transforming energy distribution in India. Currently, Repos offers doorstep fuel delivery operations in over 280 cities across India through his 2,000+ partners. So far, through its platform, Repos has successfully distributed over 10 million liters of fuel, resulting in saving 14.85 million KG of carbon emissions. Currently, Repos employs over 250 young and energetic people who are passionate about contributing to the growth of the country.
The great business acumen and leadership of Repos founders led Ratan Tata to make two investments in Repos. The organization has also successfully raised Rs 560 crore in pre-Series A round from undisclosed investors.
As a couple leading a business, Aditi and Chetan have learned that open and honest communication is the cornerstone of both personal and professional relationships. “In the office, just as I do at home, I listen actively, speak respectfully, and strive to make sure my message is clearly understood. We were able to make decisions that moved us forward,” shares Aditi.
As CEO, Mr. Chetan's primary responsibility is to manage the day-to-day business activities of the company, while Mr. Aditi holds the position of Chief Visionary Officer, leading the brand's marketing and strategic goals for the company's future. The focus is on setting.
Despite their different responsibilities, Chetan and Aditi maintain a close working relationship and regularly exchange updates on new developments within their respective oversight areas. This ongoing dialogue allows them to stay in sync and move forward together towards common goals.
When asked about one decision he made: If his spouse had not taken over the company, he believes the company would not be where it is today. “Aditi's insistence on transforming our business model to focus on sustainability was critical. Her vision not only differentiated us in Without that belief, we would not have achieved our current level of success and impact.”
Aditi added to this. “Chetan's early decision to invest in technology and innovation was critical. He saw the future before it arrived and ensured that our services remained competitive and cutting edge. Without his boldness and strategic foresight, we would not be as successful as we are today.'' ” Managing disagreements is critical to startup growth. In response, Chetan said, “We understand that our decisions may not align, but if these decisions are part of a broader strategy, we understand each other's perspectives.'' “We give each other the space we need to think things through.” There is a rationale behind certain choices, and I strongly believe that patience is paramount in situations like this. ”
Baked with love
Sune Jain, Co-Founder and Managing Director, The Baker's Dozen Aditi Handa, Co-Founder and Head Chef, The Baker's Dozen
The Baker's Dozen (TBD), an artisanal bakery brand, was founded in 2013 by Aditi & Sneh with the aim of refocusing attention on the age-old goodness of sourdough bread and making it a must-have on every table. Ta. The brand is present in his 40+ cities and his 3,000+ touchpoints in India. The Baker's Dozen is omnichannel, retailing from 50 company-owned stores, over 600 modern and general trade stores, and e-commerce and Available on the Quick Commerce channel. more.
Talking about achieving the impossible together, Aditi adds: “There were a lot of memorable moments for us, like when we first baked sourdough bread, which was difficult but worked out well, and when we decided to open a shop. ” Expanding into a new city felt like a big leap, but it turned out to be a great move. Establishing the current manufacturing division was also a major success. Moreover, when the COVID-19 pandemic occurred, we managed to continue to grow despite all the challenges. “This has been a very surprising challenge. These moments show that if we work together, anything is possible.”
They recently secured Rs 33 million in a pre-Series A funding round. “The biggest support we offer is to put more effort into each other's decisions. If you have the trust and support of your co-founders, the chances of doing something successfully are almost guaranteed,” says Aditi. says.
“One of the decisions that took the company to new heights was his choice to keep moving forward. Rather than letting any problem hold him back, he decided to find another way to overcome it. “Despite COVID-19 and the lockdown, he didn't get discouraged for a single day, even though we faced challenges such as It was during these times that we achieved significant milestones,” she added.
Tips for dealing with tense moments
Unite and never give up on each other. Before you make a decision, take the time to understand why your partner thinks a certain way. Rushing things can lead to problems, so take some time to think it through before making a decision.
dream together
Harshil & Priyanka Salot, Co-Founders of The Sleep Company
The Sleep Company was founded in November 2019 by IIMCalcutta alumni Priyanka and Harshil Salot. Mr. Harshil worked at Axis Bank and later headed the family business, while Priyanka worked for P&G's top brands such as Ariel, Tide and Pampers in India. Their entrepreneurial journey began when Priyanka, a young mother at the time, found it difficult to get enough sleep at night, impairing her ability to function most efficiently during her waking hours. It started when. This led her to search the market for comfortable, supportive, and durable mattresses that go beyond standard foam and memory foam compositions. In pursuit of the perfect mattress, the husband-wife duo collaborated with Dr. Tripathi, a former DRDO scientist, and after years of intense research, trial and error, used his patented SmartGRID technology to create the final mattress. I cracked the code.
They talk about how they support and encourage each other as partners and co-founders. Priyanka said, “Harshil Sarot (co-founder and life partner) and I share a great understanding and this will help us both work towards a common goal of making India sleep and sit better. It comes from the fact that if one of us is feeling down, the other always reminds us of our vision and works together to achieve that vision. It's motivating. Plus, we both respect and appreciate the value each of us brings, so that keeps us motivated to improve every day.”
Something shocking will happen in your relationship with your co-founder for your fans. At times like these, you need your north star to guide you. Relationships between co-founders are often complicated in and of themselves, and doing so while married only adds to the complexity. When Harshil and Priyanka started this journey, they had clearly defined our North Star. “Trust and respect are the basis of our relationship and we have decided to always trust each other and share respect no matter the situation,” Priyanka added.
About achieving the impossible together, she says: “Harshil and I both have a support system for each other and feel lucky to share this special bond. It is human tendency to doubt individuals until they achieve success. However, our family has always been… It’s supportive” the whole journey.
The company has so far raised Rs 177 crore in Series B funding round led by Premji Invest, Fireside Ventures and Alteria Capital and Rs 13.4 crore in pre-Series A funding round. Moreover, it boasts of his ARR rate of 200 cr as of October 2022, registering 400% year-on-year growth. The Sleep Company aims to become a 500 CR company by 2024 and achieve 1000 CR revenue within 4-5 years.