Ever thought that a startup would make millions just by selling umbrellas? A startup called “Cheeky Chunk” based in Mumbai dared to experiment in this marketplace with its creative vision, and today it has made millions just by selling umbrellas, but with a twist. Read on this AVCOE blog as we decode the journey behind this startup and help you stay inspired!
There exist tons of startups. Few of them are into e-commerce retails, fabrics, clothing, handicrafts, and food outlets are already conquering. But unlike many, Pratik Doshi opted for a risky venture and sensed an opportunity of a startup in the umbrella marketplace. Pratik has been through a roller coaster ride of entrepreneurship which was filled with extra bumps but he chose not to give up. He was just an MBA graduate when he chose to fuel his entrepreneurial dreams. Back in 2014, while all of his MBA friends enjoyed big paychecks at desk jobs with the least worries, Pratik chose a hustling career path. His friends often questioned him regarding his career choice or the designation he will prefer opting for.
He said, “ I want to be the Umbrella Man,”. This statement was followed by bursts of laughter and mocks which ridiculed his thought of selling umbrellas just for a living.
The Startup Idea that turned the tables
Being raised in a middle-class business family in South Mumbai’s Wadala, Pratik was expected to join his father’s business but he chose to build his own venture. Pratik started his own venture named Cheeky Chunk in 2014 where he marketed and sold few umbrellas in a small market. He got a positive response, and then that’s where he built the determination to keep continuing. Consequently, he started a company that sells unique designer umbrellas that no one previously sold in the market at affordable prices.
This idea was born out of a reason in his mind:
It wasn’t done by anyone before, so thereby it gave him access to a largely untapped market. His primary thought behind this startup was to change people’s outlook on carrying umbrellas.
The USP (Unique Selling Proposition)
His vision was to design umbrellas in such a way that people get emotionally attached to umbrellas and then carry them for the love rather than just utility.
The Journey Behind
Pratik researched doodle designers who may be interested in his work and started collaborating with art students who wanted to showcase their talent. He had saved about Rs. 1,35,000 from tutoring during his college days and invested all of it in his business venture. His father allowed him to manufacture the umbrellas at his company’s factory, and he managed to get 500 umbrellas manufactured. However, there were hardly any monetary gains from new customers.
In June 2015, he started his unit with four workers and made 700 umbrellas in his first month. Unfortunately, the business didn’t take off as expected. Pratik tried showcasing his umbrellas online too at Amazon India, and social media platforms but it didn’t pull off. One rainy day he got worried thinking that his business is failing to take off. But, BOOM! The next day, not less than 400 people bought his umbrellas online. Luck favors the brave as they say, and that rainy day helped his startup take off with flying colors.
The rest remains history. In less than three weeks, his umbrellas ruled Amazon’s platforms and were enlisted as the most sold umbrella ever. Today, it sells more than 7000 umbrellas every month.
Here’s to the man who understands the value of a rainy day! What’s stopping you now to start your entrepreneurial journey?
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