Interview with Gaurav Singh: Entrepreneur, Founder & MD of Atulya

An exclusive interview with Gaurav Singh, Founder & MD of Atulya, nature and Ayurveda-oriented personal care brand

In the ever-evolving world of personal care, Gaurav Singh stands as a true pioneer, bringing the wisdom of nature and the timeless traditions of Ayurveda to the forefront. As the visionary founder and Managing Director of Atulya, a brand dedicated to creating nature and Ayurveda-oriented personal care products, Gaurav has embarked on a remarkable journey to redefine our approach to skincare and well-being.

His unwavering commitment to harnessing the healing powers of natural ingredients, coupled with a deep-rooted passion for Ayurveda, has not only led to the creation of exceptional products but has also sparked a movement towards holistic self-care.

In this exclusive interview, we delve into Gaurav Singh’s inspiring journey, the philosophy behind Atulya, and his vision for a future where wellness and nature coexist harmoniously. Join us as we explore the world of Ayurveda-infused personal care through the eyes of this visionary entrepreneur.

Tell us a little about yourself

Gaurav Singh: Our family has helmed Khadi Natural Healthcare, a company with a presence across more than 35 countries for the past 60 years. Atulya, founded in 2021, takes its lineage from the same. The nature-oriented personal care brand was started with a vision to draw from the wisdom of Ayurveda and utilize Biosciences along with technology.

With this thought in mind, we built a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Mundka, Delhi where Atulya products continue to be manufactured to perfection. Most recently, we have invested Rs 30 crore to come up with a bigger manufacturing unit in Manesar.

Spread over 1 lakh sq ft, the plant would create around 400 jobs in the region. We are also among the few to offer a Franchisee-Owned, Franchise-Operated experiential outlet in Paharganj, Delhi. We are evolving in tune with the growing needs of the expanding consumer base.

I have an MBA in Marketing which has enabled me to make the best strategies for Atulya. But the brand is much more than just marketing as we have built up on the ethos of nature as provider for earth and the living beings.

With that in mind, we recently launched the initiative- #SwitchtoVegKeratin which ensured that consumers could discover the benefits of plant-based keratin leading to lustrous hair.

Our home-grown personal care brand draws immensely from nature, as it has the solutions to all our problems.  I am a globetrotter by passion and wish to become the torchbearer of the Power of Nature with global footprints.

Can you tell us about your journey as an entrepreneur and what inspired you to start Atulya – Beacon Bio Life Sciences Private Limited?

Gaurav Singh: It was the realization that nature and technology can come together to give us the solution to everyday skincare and haircare needs that led to the inception of Beacon Bio Life Sciences Private Limited in 2021. Venturing into the D2C segment, our motto was to provide clean and vegan personal care products to consumers.

The repeat buyers boosted our confidence and we ensured that we never compromised on the quality. Having our own manufacturing unit, instead of relying on a third-party manufacturer ensured that we could keep a strict quality check and also invest our time, money and efforts in R&D to produce more vegan products.

Later as we reached out to our consumers through offline and online touchpoints, we have been seeing some very encouraging numbers.  Thus, our consumers and constant efforts to excel in production have been two constant factors that have inspired us to keep doing what we are doing.

How do you envision the company making a difference in the beauty & wellness industry?

Gaurav Singh: While self care is of utmost importance, overall wellness is what we cater to the consumers. There are everyday skin and hair conditions that people battle with. It might not be an illness , but does surely impact one’s holistic wellness.

This is where Beacon Bio Life Sciences and Atulya come into play. We help people overcome recurrent skin, hair and scalp conditions through natural products that can be a part of their daily personal care regimen.

What are some of the key products or services offered by Atulya – Beacon Bio Life Sciences?

Gaurav Singh: We at Atulya have ensured that our products are devoid of artificial colours, petrochemicals, perfumes, and parabens, and they are also natural and cruelty-free, as they include no animal-sourced components and are not tested on animals.

The GMC certified items ensure that sustainable living is indeed feasible because we can benefit from nature’s numerous gifts if we coexist with it. Furthermore, the natural Ayurveda-based products are packaged for the modern customer who understands the benefits of going Vegan.

The combination of bioscience and natural components that have been trusted for ages has become the deciding factor in providing consumers with the earth’s best gifts. Our specific ingredients-based products, from soaps to shampoo to conditioner to cold pressed oil to face wash, masks and toners to essential oils to under eye creams, have undergone extensive research and development. For being vegan and natural, these products are being loved by consumers.

Innovation is crucial in the beauty & wellness industry. How does Atulya – Beacon Bio Life Sciences foster a culture of innovation within the organization?

Gaurav Singh: More than innovation, today’s consumer is becoming more and more aware of the impact of harsh chemicals in their personal care products and are consciously moving away from them towards more natural and vegan options.

We discovered the superpower of incredible ingredients like activated charcoal, lemon, grapefruit, aloe vera, cucumber, Vitamin C, amla, shikakai, hibiscus etc and used them in our products. With the culmination of modern technology these ingredients give incredible results.

Could you share some insights into the challenges you faced while establishing and growing Atulya – Beacon Bio Life Sciences? How did you overcome those challenges?

Gaurav Singh: When personal care and beauty companies set out to establish their own manufacturing plants, they face numerous challenges. It is especially true for clean and vegan products. The issue is not only to bear the cost of machinery and its upkeep, but also to form a team of individuals who are committed to the idea.

Experience is important because someone who has worked in the field for decades can rise to these challenges. Thus, it was easier for us to overcome these challenges since we were not novices.

The beauty & wellness industry is highly regulated. How does Atulya – Beacon Bio Life Sciences ensure compliance with regulations and maintain high standards of quality in its products and services?

Gaurav Singh: Another major reason why brands are hesitant to establish their own production units is the severe government rules that apply to the pharmaceutical business which ultimately apply to the personal care industry too.

Adhering to them is challenging because it necessitates a plethora of compliances laid down by different government agencies, making it even more expensive.

But, like I said, we draw from our experience and this has ensured that Atulya stands tall amongst the plethora of brands that are available today.

What sets Atulya – Beacon Bio Life Sciences apart from its competitors? How do you maintain a competitive edge in the market?

Gaurav Singh: Atulya has natural ingredients along with modern formulations that offer personal care items at a reasonable price. We are founded on the notion that nature is self-sufficient in meeting all of our requirements, and this is what distinguishes us from our global competition.

We have a diverse product selection that caters to hair, body, skin, eye care, and well-being, and it addresses the majority of our customers’ demands and issues. The items are specially made with no harsh chemicals and have no adverse effects. Shikakai, amla, hibiscus, sandalwood, aloe vera, bees wax, neem, rice water, rose, activated organic bamboo charcoal, and other powerful ingredients are used.

Our own production units allow us to maintain strict quality control while also doing research and development on innovative formulas for our products. This puts us way ahead of the competition.

What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs who are looking to enter the beauty & wellness industry or start their own venture?

Gaurav Singh: Entering the beauty and wellness industry as an entrepreneur can be both rewarding and challenging. Before beginning, you must understand the market thoroughly by knowing about your competitors, emerging trends, and the pain points of potential customers.

Besides, consider specializing in a specific niche within beauty and wellness. This can help you stand out and build a loyal customer base.

Another important advice I would like to share is product quality is paramount, so ensure your products or services are of the highest quality and meet all safety standards, and build a strong brand presence by conveying your brand’s values and connecting with your target audience.

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