I vividly remember the knots in my stomach when I took the leap into entrepreneurship in 2017. After working in marketing jobs for years, I felt compelled to turn my lifelong passion into owning a business in beauty and wellness. Zeba & Beauty, focuses on harnessing the power of nature to address common beauty concerns. Our products, developed through rigorous R&D, aim to offer solutions for issues like acne scars, fine lines, and hair fall. It was quite a big step I took when I decided to empty out my savings and launch Zeba & Beauty.
Those early days were filled with worries, from financial hurdles to building a customer base to competing against giants who dominated the market. There were times when I was overpowered by doubts, but then I remembered my commitment to delivering outstanding products that would give customers high satisfaction. I believed that would be my competitive edge. My family supported me tremendously in those initial shaky days – their pride and reassurance meant everything.
As the journey progressed, my initial concerns began to fade, replaced by the encouraging feedback from our customers. The defining moment was a glowing testimonial from a bride who attributed the success of her bridal look to our specialized beauty regimen. This feedback was a powerful affirmation of our unique market position – offering specialized beauty solutions tailored to individual needs. Our products stand out for their unique formulations, focusing on natural ingredients and custom-tailored approaches to tackle specific beauty challenges like skin rejuvenation and hair revitalization. This recognition from our customers reinforced our belief that our commitment to creating personalized, effective beauty treatments was the right path for our brand.
As an entrepreneur, I have faced a lot of challenges along the way. Logistics, for instance, was a complex puzzle as it involved the efficient movement and storage of goods. Optimizing transportation and managing inventory while ensuring cost-effectiveness and timely delivery was daunting but essential. Hiring and retaining skilled employees, and managing their productivity and satisfaction was crucial to maintaining a high-performing team.
By 2022, I felt the need to propel Zeba & Beauty to the next level. I decided to embark on extensive market research to truly decode what customers needed but were unable to find from existing brands.
I had numerous engaging conversations with customers across demographics grappling with annoying skin and hair issues. Many described increased hair fall or early wrinkles as an area of concern.Armed with these intimate consumer insights, I funnelled my energy into developing highly targeted products.
I began with extracting the latest anti-ageing ingredients to blend nutrient-rich serums and creams. In striving to illustrate our deep commitment, my focus was on showcasing our keen awareness and effective solutions for the real needs of our customers. This strategic pivot marked a new chapter of innovation for Zeba & Beauty.
Joining the Walmart Vriddhi program marked a turning point for my business. I integrated feedback and surveys to gauge the success of changes implemented in Zeba & Beauty. Aligning assessments with specific metrics and analyzing data helped me make informed decisions. Walmart Vriddhi’s support through Flipkart onboarding, webinars, online modules, and troubleshooting was instrumental in these changes.
Leveraging Flipkart’s B2C and B2B platforms opened new avenues for growth and collaboration. It enabled me to engage in both retail and wholesale transactions, significantly boosting my business’s reach.
Success on Flipkart required a multi-faceted approach. I developed competitive pricing strategies and ensured a seamless customer experience. This involved accurate product information, transparent pricing, secure payment options, and responsive customer support. We also improved our packaging, thereby ensuring safe and efficient transport.
This was my first foray into eCommerce. The experience taught me the significance of digital marketing. A comprehensive strategy encompassing SEO, social media marketing, email marketing, content marketing, and paid advertising was crucial for driving traffic and reaching our target audience effectively.
In the short term, I aimed to increase customer reviews, improve product listings, and optimize pricing and promotions. For the medium term, my focus shifted to expanding the product range, enhancing branding and packaging, optimizing inventory and logistics, seeking collaborations and partnerships, and leveraging advertising opportunities.
This hyper-focused product strategy has paid rich dividends already! Even more exciting, is the projection for 70-85% year-over-year growth in 2023 as we continue to spread our wings.
In-depth market research and customer conversations guided our product development strategy. We focused on addressing specific consumer needs, leading to the creation of targeted beauty products. This strategic pivot was a game-changer for Zeba & Beauty.
Buoyed by Zeba & Beauty’s success, I have begun channelling my entrepreneurial drive towards new verticals aligned with other passions – spanning fashion, nutrition, beauty and beyond. I firmly believe that excelling in the cutthroat beauty vertical demonstrates my grit to push boundaries across industries.
No matter what business avenues open next, my drive to create and innovate knows no bounds. When I see the joy in a loyal customer’s eyes or hear my family boasting to friends about Zeba’s success, I know I am on the right path. The process of launching new products and running a successful business is a testament to perseverance, marked by numerous late nights and early mornings, essential for turning creative visions into market realities.
