With the inspiration to offer creative expression to shirts, Akshay Narvekar founded Bombay Shirt Company i.e. the first online custom shirt brand of India. This graduate from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor decided to enter a business domain that was earlier unknown to Indians. The thought to start Bombay Shirt Company came out of the struggle he went through while finding unusual fabrics and styles at one time.
He launched his company in 2012 that’s currently located in South Mumbai’s art district, Kala Ghoda. Bombay Shirt allows customers to choose fabric, color, design and styles giving option to customize a shirt as per their fit and preference. Its in-house stylists attend to individual needs of customers and ensure that everyone gets what Akshay strove for in the absence of such portal. Read more about his exciting business journey in this interview.
Please provide a brief overview of your product/ service.
Bombay Shirt Company brings you the perfect blend of classic and contemporary shirt styles, giving you the power to personalize your wardrobe. Browse through www.bombayshirts.com, the first website of its kind in India, or visit them though their pop-up kiosks and Travelling Stylists. Choose one of their ready-to-order BSC designs, or start from scratch and customize to your specific taste. An extensive, handpicked range of fabrics and colors is available for both men and women. BSC brings you limitless possibilities so that the shirt you design stays unique to you. At BSC, made-to-measure quality becomes accessible, and fun.
What inspired you to build the above product/ service?
Offer people the chance to express their creativity through what they wear, and also be able to tailor their wardrobe to suit their personality
What is your life mantra?
The last couple of lines from Invictus – “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”
What was the most challenging part of your journey till now?
Convincing people that a start-up Indian brand can also put out high quality products
How did you overcome those challenges?
Hours of hard work by the entire BSC team and focus on the product
Share some details about the investments that you have been able to fetch for the business till now.
Our Primary investors are Raay Global Investments. A fund promoted by Amit Patni & Arihant Patni of the Patni Computer Systems fame
How do you protect yourself from the problem of Brain Drain?
We empower our employees to run their departments as it’s their own company, where all efforts are directed towards a common goal. It shouldn’t feel like a job to them
According to you, what are the three qualities an individual must have to achieve success?
– Hard Work
– Positive Mindset
– Thick Skin
Which online tools/ services/ apps do you use the most and would like to recommend as well?
– Google Drive for work related docs.
– Instagram, to keep in touch with other brands.
– Whatsapp, to stay in touch
Share any one habit which you wish to change in yourself.
My Impulsive Nature
Answer in less than 50 words
You cannot substitute hard work
- One mistake you believe every individual must avoid:
Never get content or complacent. It will come and bite you in the butt
- One most important lesson that you have learnt till now:
If you believe in something, regardless of anything what people say it will happen
What are your plans for next 3 years?
To turn Scale Bombay Shirt Company into a global brand.
If you get a chance to start your career again what would you do differently this time?
Pay more attention to what I want, rather than what other people want for me
What are your top three getaway destinations?
– London, I feel at home there.
– Spain, for the culture.
– Closer to home, I like Goa
Share a quote that inspires you the most.
Again, the last couple of lines from Invictus – “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”
Media Mentions:
Vogue.in- http://www.vogue.in/content/bombay-shirt-company-launches-flagship-store-mumbai
GQ India.com- http://www.gqindia.com/look-good/style-fashion/bombay-shirt-companys-spanking-new-store
Miss Malini: http://www.missmalini.com/2014/11/19/style-alert-these-shirts-have-been-approved-by-the-editor-of-gq-magazine/