From A Humble Beginning, This Startup Eyeing A Turnover Of Rs 500-Cr In 5 Yrs

Founded in 2018 by visionary entrepreneur Bharat Khatri in Indore of Madhya Pradesh, Havintha was created with a vision to redefine personal care through the power of nature. As a purely organic brand, it is dedicated to crafting 100 per cent natural, chemical-free formulations that nurture and restore without harmful additives. Started as a passion for natural wellness, it has now positioned the company as India’s No. 1 powder shampoo brand, setting new benchmarks in the industry. After starting the venture with a credit card borrowing of just Rs22,000, today he is oozing out confidence to script a success story for others to emulate with a target to achieve a turnover of Rs500 crore in next five years.

''The brand has a strong presence in the e-commerce space, catering to consumers who are looking for authentic and toxin-free alternatives to conventional beauty and wellness products," Khatri told Bizz Buzz in an exclusive interview. He said specializing in hair care and skin care, Havintha offers carefully curated formulations that are free from artificial fragrances, preservatives, and harmful chemicals. Each product is a step toward a cleaner and more sus-tainable lifestyle

What inspired you to start Havintha in 2018, and how did you come up with the brand’s unique name?

Havintha was established with a vision of bringing back 100 per cent natural and chemical-free hair and skin care products. We were particularly inspired by traditional ayurvedic remedies, so in 2018 we decided to start this brand. “Havintha.” The name represents "a bridge that connects people with nature.” which directly reflects our mission of offering authentic and natural hair and skin care products.

What challenges did you face when you started the company, and how did you overcome them, especially considering the initial credit limit of Rs22,000?

We initially started Havintha with only a credit limit of RS 22,000. It surely came with a lot of challenges, one of the main challenges being educating people about the essence and benefits of using natural ayurvedic products. Another challenge that came our way was not knowing how to use powder-based formulations for our products however we did overcome it. Our products quickly but steadily gained momentum without having to invest in marketing, the popularity of these products came purely with word of mouth, customer satisfaction reviews and real results. We started by focusing on small batch production, direct engagement, and taking our customers' demands into consideration. We gradually built trust and expanded our market all while staying true to our aim.

Can you describe the mission and vision behind Havintha, and how do you ensure every product aligns with those values?

Havintha as a brand aims to promote natural and chemical-free personal care products with the roots of ayurveda. Our vision lies in promoting traditional herbal remedies and making them accessible to modern consumers to encourage sustainable well-being. We always ensure that we provide quality products to our customers and stick to our vision, mission and values by using high-quality natural ingredients, and avoiding the use of any artificial additives and preservatives.

What key milestones or numbers in terms of revenue, customer base, or market share represent Havintha’s success story?

Havintha aims to become a Rs500 crore company within five years, showcasing our rapid growth and strong market presence. This ambitious aim reflects our commitment towards the brand to expand its reach and solidify our position in the natural wellness industry.

How do you define the essence of ‘100 per cent natural formulations’ in your products, and what sets Havintha apart from other brands in the same space?

At Havintha we make sure we use 100 per cent natural formations i.e., pure herbs, flowers and essential oil extracted from natural resources, with no chemical sulfates or any artificial preservatives. What sets Havintha apart is our commitment to using only ayurvedic ingredients in their most natural forms, making sure that every product, be it power, shampoo or oil is delivered to our customers with raw potency to give long-lasting hair and skin care.

How does Havintha incorporate sustainability into its product development, packaging, and overall brand ethos?

Havintha engages in sustainability by focusing on ethical and durable packaging that ensures product longevity. The brand strives to balance functionality and environmental responsibilities, making sure every product is carefully packaged to maintain its quality and being mindful of its impact on the environment.

How do you stay ahead of trends in the wellness and beauty industry while maintaining your commitment to 100 per cent natural products?

By closely monitoring industry innovations, customer-centric feedback and emerging natural ingredients, Havintha ensures it stays ahead of the new trends in the market. We make sure the trends align with the brand's values of purity and sustainability. The brand adopts customer needs with the help of continuous research and testing of new 100 per cent natural ingredients formulation.

What role does research and development play at Havintha in formulating new products or im-proving existing ones?

Havintha’s research and development team uses valuable knowledge of Ayurveda and natural products to improve the quality of the new upcoming and old products. We at Havintha combine traditional wisdom with modern science to match the quality demands of our customers. This particular helps us create effective, all-natural products while staying true to our commitments.

Given the rapid growth of Havintha, what investments or operational changes have been most critical in scaling up the brand efficiently?

Havintha is likely to make critical investments in areas like advanced research and development to expand our product base. With strengthening our supply chain and expanding digital market efforts we will be adopting more efficient manufacturing processes, improving customer services and investing in high tech for better inventory and management to support the brand’s rapid growth.

How did you become a successful entrepreneur by starting a venture with an investment of Rs22,000 from a credit card?

My journey began with a personal struggle—I was experiencing severe hair fall. I tried various chemical-based products available in the market, but none of them worked. Observing how our elders maintained naturally healthy hair and skin, I became curious about their traditional remedies. This led me to dive deep into research on natural hair and skincare solutions.After numerous trials, I finally developed a powder shampoo formulation using amla, reetha,Methi Dana and shikakai, which delivered remarkable results. This success sparked the idea of launching Havintha.With just a Rs.22,000 credit limit on my credit card, I took the plunge and started the brand.I initially launched on Amazon and Flipkart, and when the Covid-19 pandemic shifted consumer preferences toward natural, chemical-free products, our 100 per cent natural hair and skincare range gained traction. Since then, the brand has grown steadily, and alongside it, I have continued researching and developing more products.

With how many did you start and what's the headcount now both direct and indirect?

I started alone but gradually built a team, and today, we have a dedicated workforce of 30 direct and indirect team members.

Can you share any insights into your revenue growth or the number of units sold over the last 1-2 years?

Havintha’s revenue in FY2023 grew from Rs 4.1 crore to Rs5 crore in FY24. With a strong linear growth, the brand is expected to close at Rs.7 crore FY2024-25. This shows the brand's growing customer base and increasing market demand for natural wellness products.