Winston India’s gadgets are bringing the salon home

Armed with an engineering degree in IT and an MBA from IMT Ghaziabad, Himanshu Adlakha co-founded Winston India with an aim to revolutionise the way women see personal-care. Within a short span of founding the startup, the firm has proved that the transformative power of techno-based grooming products has always been in the spotlight, especially the impact they’ve created on women while matching up the pace this world is growing with its smartness.

"With our Winston launches, thousands of women have realised that they can achieve spa-like results at home without even spending fortunes on their salon treatments and that too in their comfort zone saving their time and energy, Our initial success has motivated us to diversify to men care products in the recent past," he says in an exclusive interview to Bizz Buzz

Please take us through your journey as an entrepreneur. What motivated you to establish the company?

For me, the word business is always recognisable because I come from a family that values achievement and has a history of taking on diverse businesses like LG and Luminous. A desire of mine has always been to own a brand. The lockdown phase during Covid-19 eventually made my business decision plain. Started in 2021, when everybody was fighting with Covid impacts, sacrificing personal care routine was also one of the impacts people were facing. So, at that time, we set forth Winston's personal care journey crafted especially for women (but now, Winston has expanded its wings by the recent launch of a men trimmer named Nut Groomer) to have a comfortable personal-care routine at home. With an ethos to provide exceptionally high-quality products and alter the way women see personal care, Winston brings easy to use high-end technology embedded products with which individuals can access professional beauty results at home.

What was the need of this brand via a consumer's perspective? What is the core business proposition?

Our company was established during the Covid outbreak as a response to the severe problems people experienced having good grooming experiences; it was also a realisation of a broader shift toward smart solutions in the grooming sector. The desire for these innovative approaches was not just due to the pandemic, but rather to shifting expectations in a fast-paced environment. The necessity for quick and convenient personal care solutions grew critical in the middle of hectic lifestyles. Recognising this tendency, Winston is not just dealing with the current situation; it is actively shaping the future of personal care. Our brand is committed to promoting a "Smarter Way to Care" and understanding that in a world where efficiency is essential, personal care should not be an exception. We are committed to pioneering the future of personal care by telling and providing new, time-saving solutions, ensuring that our consumers experience a seamless combination of technology and grooming for years to come.

What were your key learnings so far? How do you see the company's ecosystem progressing in 2023?

When it comes to learning, every day brings new learning if you really want to grow as a brand. No matter what, be it a casual talk with your team, a business meeting, a workshop, or a training session, everything makes you learn and you would always welcome those learnings if you want to keep your business idea young (as per trend). So, one thing we have learned so far is that joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it. So, with Winston's journey, we also learned that while having a strong vision, it is also necessary to enjoy this journey. So, we try to focus on the journey while keeping the destination in mind and we are not just building a brand but we are living each and every moment of this brand building. Eventually, this will result in more fruitful results for the brand too.

How is the new age technology helping you further your business?

Winston India is a technology-driven brand, with technology at the heart of our operations. This important work covers every aspect of our company, including product development, sales operations, branding initiatives, promotional methods, and customer contacts. Our dedication to innovative technology pervades our whole product lifecycle, guaranteeing that they not only meet but exceed modern standards. In the field of sales, technology is used to improve efficiency and the entire client experience. Our branding and promotional efforts are intricately braided with cutting-edge technical approaches, showcasing our commitment to remain ahead of the curve. Furthermore, our customer service processes have been fine-tuned with the use of cutting-edge technology, resulting in seamless interactions and increased satisfaction. In essence, Winston India's identity is inseparably linked to a dynamic and forward-thinking approach to utilising technology in all operational aspects.

How did you identify your TG? Did you carry out any feasibility study prior to starting your business?

Certainly yes! During the Covid, my co-founder, Nikita Malhotra, noticed an increase in search for items like trimmers through her existing brand, Milagro Beauty, which encouraged the start of our entrepreneurial journey. Recognising this as a turning point incident, we decided to embark on a new venture. While our product selection provided us with a clear understanding of our target audience, thoughtful pilot testing, particularly with the launch of our face trimmer, was critical in refining and strengthening our emphasis on the unique demands and preferences of our discerning customer base. This repeated approach not only showed our market assumptions, but also created the foundation for a journey guided by a thorough grasp of our target audience.

What were the challenges that you faced in your startup journey and how did you overcome them?

Nikita and I were able to grow our brand Winston Electronics quite smoothly because of the lessons we had learned from our previous firm. Big goals often necessitate overcoming obstacles, and my greatest obstacle was to justify our prices. When we entered this technologically advanced grooming sector, there were other brands offering comparable goods for incredibly low prices. Yet the 3S (Smart, Sturdy & Super Easy) strategy was successful in winning over the audience. Our earliest product launched all featured rechargeable batteries, a charging cord, and professional technologies like a callus remover with 360° rolling heads’ callus remover, etc. Even look and touch was so premium that you can make out the difference in others and ours at first sight. In due course, customers also realised the same and started sharing the good reviews and explaining how they’re liking our products over others. So yes, this was a kind of first victory for our brand Winston.

How has your grooming tool brand evolved since its inception, and are there any upcoming developments or changes customers can look forward to?

Since our initial face trimmer introduction and pilot testing, we have grown to offer a complete hair removal range, including face and eyebrow trimmers, body bikini trimmers, and body epilators while also entering Corely into the men's personal care market with the initial launch of Nut Groomer. In addition, we have expanded our categories to include hair care, skincare, and hair styling products. Our selling experience began with direct order placement through Instagram using influencer marketing, and we now use omni channel marketing when it comes to sales techniques and marketplaces. We are present on several e-commerce sites, including but not limited to Amazon, Flipkart, Nykaa, Myntra, Tata Cliq, and our main Winston website (winstonindia.com). Also, yes there are many things aligned for the brand but every decision would be based around our customers' needs for sure.

What plans are in place for Winston India in the future?

Winston is a brand that focuses on customer feedback precisely, and accordingly, it is working on its launches, product technologies, and presenting what is actually needed by the customers, which is automatically playing a crucial role in Winston's substantial growth. With a target of reaching Rs 100 crore in the next three years, Winston has ambitious growth plans.

There are plans to appoint two brand ambassadors, one male and one female. This choice shows the brand's dedication to gender diversity in its promotional efforts. Having a male and female ambassador indicates a desire to appeal to a diverse and inclusive audience, using the influence and reach of people of different genders.

What would be your message for budding entrepreneurs?

It is crucial to show a firm commitment to one's mission and vision when embracing the entrepreneurial path. The fundamental lesson, however, should be a reminder to entrepreneurs that, while pursuing strategic goals, it is equally important to enjoy and immerse oneself in the evolving experiences, difficulties, and successes that define the entrepreneurial route. This concept emphasises the importance of living the journey to its fullest, creating resilience, creativity, and a deeper connection with the developing evolution of the entrepreneurial business by encouraging a balance between purpose-driven aims and an appreciation for the process.