Adding SUGAR to the startup world after IIM Ahmedabad

There is always a big rush to land in an IIM because students are fed with the notion that a hefty package lies on the other side of a degree from IIM. Is having a degree from an IIM enough to guarantee a huge bank balance? Is having a big bank balance what we were put on this earth for? If you have found yourself awake at night boggled with these questions you need to read how a daredevil dared to enter the startup world after IIM Ahmedabad!

Jumping on the entrepreneurial bandwagon with SUGAR

Starting one’s own business might seem like a glamorous career choice but it often takes a mental toll and this can be particularly stronger for female entrepreneurs. But Vineeta Singh, co-founder and CEO of SUGAR cosmetics chose to listen to her voice and follow her vision of creating a consumer business targeting women. An alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad, she turned down the INR 1 crore pre-placement offer from Deutsche Bank and decided to embrace the startup life. It was a plunge, especially back in 2007 when the startup culture was not mainstream.

Founded in 2012 by Vineeta Singh and Kaushik Mukherjee, SUGAR has recorded a growth rate of 4X in FY19, accounting for INR 200 crore sales. With its aim of providing a more compatible and affordable range suited for the Indian complexion, the brand has aggressively scaled retail presence from 87 in 2017 to over 1,700 retail touchpoints to date in more than 100 cities in the country. Besides their attention to the little details that have helped to create an exceptional product experience, SUGAR is also winning consumers' attention with its packaging.

Even though the current situation of Corona seems rough, they are strong-headed to utilize this time to strengthen an already strong team. With their objective of training close to 1,050 business associates, on around 60 products, with more than 60,000 training videos and at least 40 online quizzes to better their skills, their future looks brighter and merrier.

Let the numbers do the talking

In spite of the bizarre fact that the average Indian age is 29 years as compared to 48 in the USA and 37 in China and still we have only 5 percent of Indian adults who muster the courage to establish their own business. Many assume they have to come up with a never-seen-before concept or product and others are afraid to get started. They may be afraid of failure, or even success. Everybody has their own explanation, something that impedes them to take the vital first move. But these 5 percent of the Indian adults took the entrepreneurial path. They are driven, want to take on a challenge, want better control of their time and money, and thrive in the excitement of building their own future. 

Get the juices flowing

One of the most important decisions you make in your life can be settling on a career path. If it's taking up a coveted role in an MNC or turning your dreams into reality, just like Vineeta who successfully landed her footsteps in the startup world after IIM Ahmedabad, whichever route you pursue, make sure you do your due diligence so that your choice doesn't bite you back. Don't sit back and waste time daydreaming. No one knows what the future holds for you, but can give the world the best you have. Yes, there will be roadblocks but don't let them deter you from pursuing your passion.

So act, shine and conquer your world!