5 Branding and Marketing Lessons from Shark Tank India- From I am Out to a Major Glow-Up
Shark Tank came to India in 2021 and suddenly became famous due to the rise of startups in the country. The show is basically for entrepreneurs, where the head of a company pitches their journey of starting the company and their branding strategies in front of sharks (judges) and asks for investment so the judges can invest in their business.
In this blog, you will learn about various brands from which we can all gain valuable market insights. If you are an entrepreneur, there are many lessons you can learn from several brands. We have included not only those that received funding but also some that did not secure funding at the time but still became popular with their own magic.
Lesson 1: Turning Heritage into Opportunity
A spice brand, Namakwali, appeared in Season 3 with the goal of sharing their culture and authentic taste of himalayas across India. They focus on producing and selling organic products, with their special artisanal salt as their main offering. They collaborate with the Dehradun-based NGO Mahila Nav Jagran Samiti to expand their reach and connect with more customers.
Namakwali used the power of “storytelling and emotional connection” in their branding as a key marketing lesson which every company should prioritize. By highlighting their traditional methods, the efforts of local women, and the care put into making their products, Namakwali creates a meaningful narrative. This genuine and personal approach helps their products stand out and fosters a strong connection with their customers.
You don’t need to wait until you have all the resources to start your business. Instead, use what you have and be on the lookout for opportunities. Seize them when you find them!
Lesson 2: Staying True to Your Vision in a Big Market
Urban Monkey, another brand, is notable for not securing any funding from Shark Tank India but still becoming famous among Gen Z. The brand sells streetwear clothes that are popular among Gen Z, including cargo pants, denim, and oversized t-shirts.
The Sharks suggested that Urban Monkey should focus only on caps because their caps were unique. However, the owner of Urban Monkey denied this because his motto was to target the entire Gen Z clothing market. Sometimes only you know what you want from the market instead of investors, and when you are clear about your goal, nobody can enter that space.
The basic lesson we learned is that the market is huge, and if you know your target audience, it becomes easier to figure out what you want to serve on the table. Strong branding requires staying true to your vision and knowing your market well.
Lesson 3: Focus on the Problem, Not Just the Product
A woman excelling in two careers: acting and business. Yes, we are talking about the one and only “Nish Hair ki malkin,” aka Parul Gulati. She is also famous for her marketing and branding strategies.
She stepped onto the Shark Tank India stage and caught everyone’s attention. Parul owns Nish Hair, a brand that provides human hair extensions addressing a major issue for many especially women who are not ready for hair transplants. She offers a wide range of extensions like wigs, clip toppers, and more.
She is not just selling hair but she is also selling confidence. Hair is something women feel proud of and Parul used her own struggles with insecurity to build a successful business. By using the connections she made in her acting career, she made a big mark in the hair industry.
The lesson a marketer can learn is to not only focus on selling the product if you do that, no one will connect with it. Instead, sell the problem first. Solid branding involves addressing a real problem and presenting your product as the solution.
Lesson 4: From Shark Tank Rejection to Unexpected Success
Jhaji Achar- a pickle brand from Darbhanga, Bihar, a not so unique brand for Indians, became famous for getting funding after the show. Yes, you heard it right, sharks went to them after the show and invested in their business because Judges on Shark Tank India initially said no to their investment pitch. But People from all over India jumped in to help them out!
Lenders and angel investors offered them capital. Even Vinita Singh and Namita Thapar from Shark Tank changed their minds. Ultimately, they raised more than Rs. 1 Cr at twice the valuation they asked for in Shark Tank India.
Never lose hope in the market, something big is always waiting for you if you are working in the right direction. Jhaji Achar invested in gaining their customers’ trust, and once their customers believed in them, they got more than they expected. This shows that building a strong bond with your audience through effective branding can lead to big opportunities, even if your first attempt doesn’t work out.
Lesson 5: Addressing the Market Gap
A brand launched with the motive to help others, Medulance is India’s first GPS-based platform that helps you quickly find an ambulance in emergencies. With a growing focus on independent living today, knowing you can easily access the nearest ambulance brings peace of mind during critical situations.
Launched in 2017, Medulance aims to make finding an ambulance as easy as ordering food or booking a taxi. It offers a system for booking and tracking ambulances, ensuring fast and reliable medical help when you need it most. Medulance provides an ambulance in 20 minutes average time and they are available in 60+ cities of India, Till now they have saved more than 8 lakh people.
They identified a gap in the market and addressed it because no one else was tackling this issue. The lesson we learned here is that if no one is working on a problem, you can step in and solve it, as the main goal of a business is to provide solutions to specific needs.
At Eleco Media, we are inspired by these success stories and the valuable lessons they offer. Just like Jhaji Achar and Medulance, we believe in the power of understanding market needs and staying committed to our vision. Our focus on delivering innovative digital marketing solutions and creating impactful branding strategies is driven by the same principles: building strong connections with our clients, embracing creativity, and constantly adapting to the ever-evolving digital landscape.
As we continue to grow and evolve, we are committed to applying these insights to our work, ensuring that we provide exceptional value and results for our clients. We look forward to tackling new challenges, seizing emerging opportunities, and driving success in the dynamic world of digital marketing.