E206 - Why Indian Brands Struggle to Scale (And How to Fix It) | Raul Rai, Nicobar
Description
In this episode, we sit down with Raul Rai, co-founder of Nicobar, to uncover the hidden challenges of scaling Indian brands and why so many fail to reach their full potential. Raul shares his contrarian approach to brand-building, balancing premium positioning vs. mass-market appeal, and why growth at all costs can kill a brand.We dive deep into how Nicobar built a premium Indian lifestyle brand, the importance of design & brand pull, and why retail still matters in a digital-first world. Raul also shares his personal philosophy on leadership, business longevity, and building an enduring culture—lessons every founder and entrepreneur can apply.From understanding consumer psychology to mastering retail expansion and supply chains, this episode is packed with game-changing insights for anyone looking to build a brand that lasts.Whether you're a startup founder, brand builder, or aspiring entrepreneur, Raul’s journey will challenge conventional wisdom and offer a new way to think about scaling in India.⏱️ Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction1:59 - Meaning of Nicobar10:04 - Raul Rai’s journey to entrepreneurship14:34 - Does Raul Rai rely on math?19:21 - Thoughtful strategies for new founders25:01 - Key insights for selling luxury33:59 - Nicobar’s business landscape39:09 - Inside Nicobar’s supply chain42:29 - The essence of Nicobar’s designs48:26 - The story behind Nicobark campaign50:19 - Raul Rai’s perspective on business53:27 - Retail success lessons learned59:52 - Raul Rai’s core life values1:05:29 - How Raul stays ahead1:20:32 - Advice to his younger self1:26:29 - Outro🔗 Support the Podcast:If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with friends, subscribe to the channel, and leave a comment. Your engagement helps us continue to bring powerful stories to light.📲 Follow Jivraj on Instagram: @jivrajsinghsachar#IndianSiliconValley #RaulRai #Nicobar #IndianBrands #ScalingBusiness #RetailSuccess #LuxuryBrandBuilding #StartupLessons #FounderInsights #ISV
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