⁠LevelUp With Devansh

India gets 300+ days of sun every year, yet millions of households and small businesses are still stuck with rising electricity bills and costly diesel.


In this episode of Level Up with Devansh, I spoke with Aditya Damani, CFA, Founder of CREDIT FAIR, about how solar financing is unlocking financial freedom for everyday Indians.



Here’s what stood out:

- 1 kW system → powers a home’s lights & fans, installed in just 2 days.

- 3 kW rooftop solar → powers ACs, costs ₹2 lakh, but subsidies drop it to ₹1–1.2 lakh.

- Household savings → ₹2,500–₹3,000/month, often enough to cover EMIs; after 3–5 years, it’s free electricity for 20+ more.

- Small businesses → save ₹20,000–₹25,000/month on diesel, boosting profits by 20–30%.

- Credit Fair’s edge → 0% EMI, 10-minute approvals, repayment designed for everyday Indians.



The takeaway?



Solar isn’t just about green energy. It’s about turning rooftops into assets, expenses into savings, and families into resilient communities.



Catch the full conversation on YouTube (link in comments).



A big thank you to our partners:
🔹 Powered by: NoFilter
🔹 Co-Powered by: Titas Footwear
🔹 Venue Partner: Lets Work co-spaces
🔹 Growth Partner: GrowthOS
🔹 Digital Media Partners: StartupNews.fyi

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3

3 months ago | [YT] | 1

⁠LevelUp With Devansh

🚨New Episode is Live Now !

Credit Fair enables customers to save significantly on electricity while making solar affordable for Indians.

The Business Podcast with Aditya Damani, founder of Credit Fair, provides essential insights into the solar industry in India and its rapid transformation.

3 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 0

⁠LevelUp With Devansh

From a dab of beard oil… to a ₹173 crore men’s grooming powerhouse.



If you grew up in India in the mid-2010s, chances are you noticed a subtle trend: beards weren’t just facial hair anymore they were a statement.

Young men experimenting with style, confidence, and identity were searching for products that felt premium yet relatable.



And that’s where Beardo stepped in.

What started in 2015 as a small direct-to-consumer brand with just two products—beard oil and beard wash quickly grew into a full-fledged men’s grooming empire.



Today, after being acquired by Marico Limited, Beardo serves everything from hair care and skincare to fragrances, becoming a go-to brand for young urban Indian men.



Here’s what made it unstoppable:
✅ Niche first, scale next — started with beard care, then expanded to complete men’s grooming
✅ Alpha Male positioning — “Anybody can grow a beard, but not everybody can be a Beardo”
✅ Digital-first storytelling — social media content, memes, and influencer collaborations with Hrithik Roshan, Suniel Shetty, and KL Rahul
✅ Offline reach with a purpose — salons, retail, and Marico’s distribution channels
✅ Product innovation — diversified portfolio while maintaining a strong brand identity



The result? Revenue surged to ₹173.2 crore in FY24, and profitability returned with a net profit of ₹3.63 crore, proving that a niche D2C brand can scale sustainably when strategy, culture, and execution align.



Entrepreneurial takeaway: You don’t always need to invent a brand-new category.

Sometimes, spotting an unmet need, building trust, and scaling with consistency is enough to create a market leader.


hashtag#Beardo hashtag#MenGrooming hashtag#StartupLessons hashtag#BrandBuilding hashtag#DigitalFirst hashtag#DevanshLakhani hashtag#Entrepreneurship hashtag#BusinessStrategy

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3 4 5

3 months ago | [YT] | 0

⁠LevelUp With Devansh

How often do you see founders pitching ideas in sneakers instead of boardrooms? Or investors breaking barriers on the cricket field rather than across polished tables?



That’s what made Indian Startup Premier League different. It wasn’t just another startup event.

It was a reminder that connections are built on energy, camaraderie and trust, not just pitch decks and spreadsheets.



On the field, you see a different side of people.



A founder who’s strategising his batting order is also the one who’s been strategising his GTM plan.

An investor cheering from the sidelines is also the one who might back that very founder tomorrow.

The best part? Everyone let their guards down.



The conversations felt lighter, the bonds felt stronger, and the spirit of entrepreneurship blended seamlessly with the thrill of sport.



Personally, I loved how this format gave space for genuine interactions.



You could discuss valuations one moment and high-fives over boundaries the next. That mix of hustle and play that’s where real relationships are built.



This wasn’t just cricket. And it wasn’t just startups.



It was the perfect reminder that ecosystems grow when innovation and opportunity meet in sneakers, not suits.

hashtag#StartupsOnTheField hashtag#InvestorsInAction hashtag#WhereIdeasPlay

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3

3 months ago | [YT] | 2

⁠LevelUp With Devansh

From a spoonful of sweetness… to a ₹700+ crore market.


If you grew up in India, chances are your winter mornings began with this ritual:
A warm sweater, the smell of chai… and a parent holding out a spoonful of Chyawanprash.


You’d make a face, swallow it quickly, and then chase it with milk.
And whether you liked it or not, you knew it was “good for you.”


But behind that sticky, tangy taste is one of India’s most fascinating business stories.
Dabur Chyawanprash, the market leader with over 60% share, didn’t just sell an Ayurvedic tonic.
It sold trust. It took an ancient 2,000-year-old recipe and turned it into a household habit.


Here’s what made it unstoppable:

✅ Heritage with a twist — ancient formula + modern branding
✅ Smart repositioning — from “winter immunity” to “year-round health”
✅ Celebrity power — from MS Dhoni to Madhuri Dixit
✅ Deep reach — from urban supermarkets to the smallest village kirana
✅ Product innovation — sugar-free and kids’ variants to tap new audiences


And when the pandemic hit?


Demand spiked by 400% because when people needed immunity, they turned to the brand they already trusted.
The takeaway for entrepreneurs:


You don’t always need to invent something new.


Sometimes, the biggest wins come from taking something old…making it relevant for today and delivering it with consistency, year after year.


So next time you taste Chyawanprash, remember it’s not just a health tonic.
It’s proof that heritage brands, when nurtured right, can become timeless business empires.


#Dabur #Chyawanprash #BusinessLessons #IndianBrands #StartupWisdom #LegacyBrand #DevanshLakhani #TrustAndConsistency

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3 4

3 months ago | [YT] | 0

⁠LevelUp With Devansh

This founder turned ₹25K into a 4-digit fleet without investor slides or startup buzzwords.



In the latest episode of the LevelUp Podcast, I sat down with Dhruvam Thaker, founder of The SMART Taxi, a fast-growing premium cab service that’s rewriting the rules of urban mobility without raising a single rupee of VC funding.



No venture funding. No billion-dollar valuations.
Just ₹25,000, a clear vision, and relentless execution.



Dhruvam has built a fleet of 1000+ taxis across 40+ cities, going head-to-head with giants like Ola and Uber.

So what makes Smart Taxi stand out in a market dominated by discount wars and deep pockets?



Here are the 5 Game-Changing Insights from Dhruvam’s journey:



✅ Bootstrap with Purpose


Dhruvam Thaker didn’t wait for funding. He built with what he had.
As he said:
“Start with what you have. What you don’t, you’ll find on the way.”
A reminder that resourcefulness beats resources.



✅ No to the Price Game


He avoids price wars completely.
“Discounts might impress customers for a while, but they don’t build strong businesses.”
Undercutting prices kills sustainability. Quality builds trust.



✅ EVs? Not Yet for India


While others chase hype, he’s betting on hybrids and hydrogen.
EVs are a phase. India’s charging infra isn’t ready. Hybrids are practical.”
Backed by data and even Toyota’s roadmap.



✅ Customer Experience is the Moat


Every Smart Taxi ride feels like premium, sanitised cars, well-trained drivers, and punctual pickups.
This isn’t a cab ride. It’s a brand experience.



✅ Rejection ≠ Failure


For founders dealing with investor rejections:


“Prove your value to customers first. Funding follows value, not the other way around.”



What inspired me most was Dhruvam’s calm clarity. Quiet confidence. Clear focus.


He’s built a solid business, stayed away from the noise, and stayed true to his mission.



As he joked in the end - "Aajoo-baajoo mein hi toh rehte hain!"



He didn’t chase virality.
He chased consistency. And the customers followed.



Powered by: No Filter Juice


Co-Powered by: Titas Footwear


Venue Partner: Letswork


Growth Partner: GrowthOS



What part of Dhruvam’s story made you pause? Share below



#BusinessPodcast #MobilityRevolution #BootstrapStartup #SmartTaxi #FounderStories #Entrepreneurship hashtag #EVIndia #DevanshLakhani #LevelUpPodcast

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3

4 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 2

⁠LevelUp With Devansh

Podcasting taught me more about life than content.



When I started my podcast, I thought it would just be fun.



Call a few founders, ask good questions, record, and post.



Simple, right? Well… not even close.



Here’s the real stuff I’ve learnt from doing 3 seasons, 16 episodes, 1 full-blown US trip just to shoot:



1. Discipline is the real deal



Every single Friday, we shot. No excuses. No, “I’ll do it next week.”
Even when I was exhausted. Even when we had to juggle guests’ calendars.
There was no secret hack. Just showing up, again and again.



2. Consistency is a beast



Let me be honest, this one’s still a work in progress. We know we should be putting out daily clips, reels, and shorts. We know it matters.

But doing it daily? Editing, captioning, posting, tracking?
Let’s just say our short game is still pretty poor.

But it’s improving. Slowly.



3. Patience, patience, and more patience



YouTube isn’t what it used to be. We’re not in 2013 anymore, where 1 good video = thousands of views. Today, everyone’s fighting for the same few seconds of attention.

And unless you’re okay playing the long game, you’ll burn out. This game needs patience, like a startup.


You invest time, energy, money… and wait.

Not for likes, but for loyalty.



I remember meeting Manish Pandey, co-founder of The Ranveer Show.
He told me something that really stuck: “Podcasting is like running a company. Build your systems. Build your people. And keep going.”



He was spot on.



Podcasting has taught me:

- How to lead a creative team
- How to handle chaos when guests cancel last minute
- How to prepare better questions
- How to chase edits (and editors)



But most importantly, it taught me how to stick with something, even when it’s hard.

If you’re thinking about starting a podcast, here’s my advice:



👉 Don’t wait to be perfect.
👉 Start scrappy.
👉 And keep showing up.



Because honestly? That’s all that matters.



Watch our episodes here - lnkd.in/grJyMVJD



hashtag#Podcasting hashtag#YouTubeJourney hashtag#ContentCreation hashtag#StartupLessons hashtag#RealTalk hashtag#Discipline hashtag#Consistency hashtag#Patience

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3 4

4 months ago | [YT] | 1

⁠LevelUp With Devansh

India's First AI ENABLED KIRANA STORE

From tackling multi-lingual digital challenges to creating AI-powered POS systems that empower small shopkeepers, Rajesh shares the playbook for scaling in fragmented markets—and the lessons every founder needs to hear before building for Bharat.

Watch the full Episode Here 👇

4 months ago | [YT] | 0

⁠LevelUp With Devansh

Barbeque Nation Hospitality Ltd. is serving unlimited food… but the stock market isn’t hungry anymore.

I’ve always loved the BBQ Nation experience.
The grilled pineapple. The DIY skewers. The waiter ka surprise item.
Perfect for birthdays, team dinners, or just weekend cheat days.

But recently, I looked at something beyond the menu. Their stock price. And it shocked me.

Here’s the BBQ business story most people don’t talk about

→ IPO Price (2021): ₹500
→ Current Price (2024): ₹160-180 range
→ Market Cap: ~₹600 Cr
→ Loss (FY24): ₹41 Cr
→ Total debt: ₹400 Cr+
→ Outlets: 200+ in India

Even after 18 years in the market…Barbeque Nation is still not profitable consistently. Why?

Here’s what I’ve decoded as a founder and someone who tracks startup numbers:

1. High fixed cost business.
Rent, staff, raw materials, and set-up — margins are thin, especially for dine-in models.

2. Post-COVID behaviour changed.
People are eating out less or choosing fast-casual formats.
Delivery doesn’t work for BBQ-style food. Experience is key.

3. Franchise vs company-owned dilemma.
Most outlets are company-owned, so scaling is expensive and slow.

4. Repeat audience is shrinking.
Once you’ve had it 3-4 times, you’re not as excited anymore.
The novelty wears off.

Now, as founders, what can we learn from BBQ Nation’s journey?

✅ Your product can be loved, but if unit economics don’t work, it won’t scale.
✅ Business isn’t built just on footfall. It’s built on margins and retention.
✅ Going public doesn’t fix your problems. It just makes them public.
✅ Scalability and sustainability must go hand in hand.

I’m still a BBQ fan. But the business side? Needs more spice.

What do you think, will BBQ bounce back? Or is it getting grilled in the market?

Let’s talk numbers in the comments

#StartupBreakdown #BBQNation #StockMarketLessons #DevanshBreaksItDown #FoodBusiness #MSMEIdeas

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3

6 months ago | [YT] | 1

⁠LevelUp With Devansh

Patanjali Ayurved Limited once made “Swadeshi” feel cool.
Now it’s stuck in legal headlines. What happened?

Let me take you back. I still remember how fast Patanjali took over the shelves.

In just a few years, it went from a few shelves in Kirana stores to becoming a threat to HUL, Dabur India Limited, and Colgate-Palmolive (India) Ltd.

Why?
Because they sold more than just products, they sold pride. Indian roots. Ayurveda. Swadeshi.

But the real magic was in the numbers.

→ 2015: ₹2,000 Cr revenue
→ 2017: ₹10,000 Cr
→ Baba Ramdev even claimed they'd beat HUL by 2020.

And for a while, it looked possible. They became the face of “natural, Indian, trusted” FMCG.

But in 2024...?

Legal notices. Trust issues. Misleading ads. The court is asking why claims weren’t backed by science.

The same brand that stood for truth is now being questioned for it.

So what changed? Here’s what I’ve observed as a founder and marketer:

1. They scaled too fast, lost focus on product quality.
Ayurveda works, but not without proof or consistency.

2. Marketing became too loud, too aggressive.
You can't bash modern medicine without consequences.

3. People bought into the belief.
But beliefs need to be backed with experience.

4. Brand trust isn’t permanent.
One wrong move and it breaks faster than it’s built.

Here’s a solid lesson for every founder reading this:

✅ Don’t just build hype. Build substance.
✅ In D2C or FMCG, trust is your biggest currency.
✅ Be desi. Be proud. But don’t skip science.

Patanjali Ayurved Limited isn't out of the game yet. But the comeback needs more truth and less drama.

What do you think, will Patanjali bounce back or fade out?

Tell me in the comments

#StartupInsights #BusinessBreakdown #BrandStrategy #IndianBrands #LearnFromFailure #FMCGLessons #DevanshBreaksItDown

Skip the Carousel

1 2 3

6 months ago | [YT] | 0