An exclusive interview with Himanshu Adlakha, Co-founder of Winston India, personal care appliances
In the dynamic landscape of personal care appliances, Winston India has emerged as a pioneering force, revolutionizing the industry with innovative and user-centric solutions. At the helm of this transformative journey is Himanshu Adlakha, the Co-founder of Winston India.
With a keen eye for market trends and a passion for enhancing personal well-being, Adlakha has played a pivotal role in shaping the brand’s identity. This interview offers a rare insight into the visionary mind of Himanshu Adlakha, shedding light on the company’s inception, its commitment to excellence, and the future of personal care appliances.
Can you share a bit about your background and what inspired you to enter the personal care appliances industry?
Himanshu Adlakha: Coming from a family that is deeply rooted in the tradition of achievement and entrepreneurial activity, especially with having experiences at well-known companies like LG and Luminous, has always drawn my attention to the world of entrepreneurship.
It has always been an aim of mine to own and grow a brand. And the specific circumstances of the lockdown period inspired the decision to enter the personal care industry. Winston’s personal care journey has been influenced by the difficulties people faced during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, especially the adjustments to personal care routines.
This understanding inspired the launch of the Winston personal care journey, which was initially designed for women but was later expanded to include male products with the Nut Groomer trimmer. Our ultimate goal was to provide people with an easy way to groom themselves.
Winston India offers a range of personal care appliances. How do you approach the development of new products to meet evolving consumer needs?
Himanshu Adlakha: We believe in a customer-centric approach, where we develop new products to cater to evolving consumer needs. Our company’s approach is based on the idea that customers are the biggest judges of their needs. We actively communicate with our consumer base to better understand their preferences and needs, and we also use their feedback to guide our product development approach.
Our journey into men’s personal care products is an illustration of this technique. As we began by focusing on women’s products, we had numerous requests concerning men’s trimmers encouraging us to broaden our product line.
The decision was inspired by extensive market analysis to guarantee that the products we have launched not only meet but also exceed customer expectations, providing them with the best options in their personal care.
How do you stay abreast of the latest personal care appliance market trends, and how does Winston India adapt to these trends?
Himanshu Adlakha: Staying abreast of the latest trends in the personal care appliance market is crucial to our success. We prioritize continuous market research, monitor industry publications, attend conferences, and use our network to gather insights into emerging trends.
We have also established a proactive approach within our organization. Our product development teams are always on the lookout for innovative technologies and consumer preferences. In addition to product innovation, we focus on enhancing customer experience.
We keep a close eye on changing consumer behaviors and preferences, ensuring that our marketing and customer engagement strategies are in tune with the evolving landscape. By staying agile and responsive to market trends, we at Winston India not only aim to meet but exceed the expectations of our customers in the ever-evolving personal care appliance industry.
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in the personal care appliances industry, and how has Winston India overcome them?
Himanshu Adlakha: Thanks to the important lessons we learned from our previous company, Nikita and I navigated the growth of Winston India with remarkable ease. Overcoming challenges is essential when pursuing ambitious goals, and one big problem we have encountered was the necessity to justify our pricing. However, our 3S method – Smart, Sturdy, and Super Easy – proved to be the winning strategy in gaining our audience’s attention.
Our earliest product launches included professional discoveries such as a callus remover with a 360° rotating head and facial trimmers with 3D cutting technology, as well as rechargeable batteries and charging connections. Beyond practicality, we focused on exceptional aesthetics and a tactile experience to differentiate our products.
This meticulous attention to quality became evident upon comparison, establishing us as a standout brand in personal care appliances. Customers quickly began giving good feedback, pointing out their preference for our items over others.
This early success served as a tribute to our dedication to perfection, inspiring us to continue providing superior personal care solutions at Winston India.
How do you handle the balance between providing affordable products and maintaining high quality?
Himanshu Adlakha: We strategically manage the delicate balance between providing affordable products as well as maintaining high quality. Our commitment to long-term investments play an important role in expanding our brand while also preserving the trust of our customers. For example: consider a 200 rupee t-shirt with a 1000 rupee t-shirt, the difference you get will be incredible.
Similarly, we prioritize the quality of our products, making them not only reasonably priced but also a long-term investment for our customers. By focusing on durability, functionality, and sophisticated technology in our personal care appliances, we ensure that our consumers receive products that exceed their expectations in both value and quality and promote long-term satisfaction and trust in the Winston brand.
Are there plans for expanding the product line or entering new markets soon?
Himanshu Adlakha: We are actively planning to diversify and enhance our product line with a great focus on addressing our customers’ evolving needs. While I cannot share specifics, our decisions will surely be based on learning and meeting our client’s tastes and needs. In terms of market expansion, we have strategic goals to join the offline market in the future.
However, we intend to approach this gradually, beginning with current trade methods through large retail channels rather than immediately opening our stores. Furthermore, our focus on branding has gained momentum through collaborations with Macro and Mega influencers, and we want to intensify these efforts to increase the exposure and recognition of Winston India in the market.
Where do you see Winston India in the next five years, and what trends do you anticipate shaping the personal care appliances industry in the coming years?
Himanshu Adlakha: In the next five years, we are anticipating Winston India’s expansion, and want our brand to make its imprint in the market through a prospective IPO, a milestone that would demonstrate our credibility and success. However, based on our current progress, we expect that Winston will reach a significant revenue of 100 crores within the next three years.
This is a huge milestone for us, and we anticipate various opportunities once we approach it. The trends affecting the personal care products business are constantly changing as the industry has become tech-based. The future is unpredictable, but the constant thing is the growing sophistication of customer demands.
As time goes on, considerable changes in the sector are expected, influenced by technical improvements and the increased demands of sophisticated consumers. We are ready to not only adapt to these changes but also to lead the way in providing new and customized options to satisfy our clients’ changing tastes.
What are your success tips for young and aspiring entrepreneurs?
Himanshu Adlakha: I believe in living the journey, and my advice to young and aspiring entrepreneurs, especially at Winston India, is to embrace the process while staying focused on your mission and vision. Clearly define your goals but don’t lose focus on the present moment. Entrepreneurship is a difficult but rewarding journey packed with great skills and experiences.
Be always versatile and open-minded, as the path to success frequently takes unexpected turns. And also create a resilient mindset to help you handle challenges and don’t be afraid of failure, instead see it as an opening to greater success. Build a solid network and surround yourself with mentors and staying up to date on industry trends and advancements is essential for continuous learning.
Most importantly, have fun along the way and celebrate small victories. You will not only attain your entrepreneurial goals but also find fulfillment if you live each moment and learn from every event.
In conclusion, our conversation with Himanshu Adlakha paints a vivid picture of the driving force behind Winston India’s success. His dedication to providing innovative, high-quality personal care appliances has not only propelled the brand to new heights but has also contributed significantly to the evolving landscape of the industry.
As we bid farewell to this insightful interview, one cannot help but feel inspired by Adlakha’s vision and commitment to enhancing the daily lives of consumers. Winston India stands as a testament to the power of innovation and the positive impact that a visionary leader like Himanshu Adlakha can have on an entire industry.
The journey continues, and with leaders like Adlakha at the helm, the future of personal care appliances looks promising and full of possibilities.
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