Nobody succeeds because they want to become wealthy and prosperous, earn a name, or get fame. People, ideas, and organizations succeed because they make a difference to other people’s lives, society, and the world.
Derby Menswear was born out of a deep desire to create the first truly international fashion brand from Asia. Its origin dates back to 1994 when I, a first-generation entrepreneur, Vijay Kapoor, decided to set up a design studio with the sole target of helping the urban male dress right and dress sharp.
Over the years, Derby has grown into leading menswear brand in South India with a phenomenal retail presence through exclusive stores and multi-brand outlets. Derby Menswear recently aced Stanford University’s prestigious ‘Seed Transformation Program’, a rigorous program that tests the wheels of innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership of an established business and its leaders.
The company has become a cult brand among the youth and there has been no looking back. Derby Clothing is headquartered in Chennai, India.
2. How did you come up with this idea and go about executing it?
I started my career working as a sales man having completed my B.com. I was making one of my sales calls, I was not allowed to enter a building. The security showed me a signage “Dogs and salesmen are not allowed.” That really shook me up and made me think about how important it was to make the right impressions to get an opportunity in life.
2. How did you come up with this idea and go about executing it?
I started my career working as a sales man having completed my B.com. I was making one of my sales calls, I was not allowed to enter a building. The security showed me a signage “Dogs and salesmen are not allowed.” That really shook me up and made me think about how important it was to make the right impressions to get an opportunity in life.
Hence I started a brand of clothing that was fashionable, up to international standards and affordable by the youth.
4. What do you think are the most important qualities of a successful entrepreneur?
Consistency - You need to keep working every day towards your goals.
3. What has been your biggest challenge that you faced and how did you overcome that?
My challenges have been many. Listing out a few of them below. From organizing funds to starting the business, expanding the business, sustaining, competing with other bigger brands, expanding the business to an all India level, and then making heavy loses. Balancing my family and work life, working hard, and working smart has been the key to overcoming the challenges.
My challenges have been many. Listing out a few of them below. From organizing funds to starting the business, expanding the business, sustaining, competing with other bigger brands, expanding the business to an all India level, and then making heavy loses. Balancing my family and work life, working hard, and working smart has been the key to overcoming the challenges.
Understanding the trend of the market assessing the pulse of the market , quick decision making, and policy restructuring has been the key elements in helping me resolve my problems. I also believe in staying fit meditating and having strong few but meaningful relationships both in my personal and professional life.
4. What do you think are the most important qualities of a successful entrepreneur?
Consistency - You need to keep working every day towards your goals.
Hard Work - When you pursue your dreams, you have to give them your everything. Half-hearted measures don’t give you complete results.
Discipline - Discipline is an essential aspect of being successful. Choosing to be disciplined in life will make hard work and doing what it takes to achieve your goals seem effortless.
Perseverance - Try once, try twice, try again, and again. You will know if it is worth pursuing a goal. You may discover something more meaningful and necessary for your success as you keep trying.
Discipline - Discipline is an essential aspect of being successful. Choosing to be disciplined in life will make hard work and doing what it takes to achieve your goals seem effortless.
Perseverance - Try once, try twice, try again, and again. You will know if it is worth pursuing a goal. You may discover something more meaningful and necessary for your success as you keep trying.
You may innovate and stumble upon an idea as you keep trying. Either you will succeed, or you will at least be content that you gave your everything. You know you’ve been there, done it. Not your cup of tea? Then move on.
Humility - Stay humble; be kind. You never know who will help you get your well-deserved break, a much-awaited opportunity to prove yourself and succeed.
Gratitude - Always be thankful for what you have. When you thank the universe for what you have, it will give you more reasons to be thankful. Complaining and being miserable will only attract more reasons to fail.
Endurance - Endure the storms that come your way in life. So what if it blows you off your feet? Stagger at your knees, but stand up again slowly.
Adaptability - It’s not enough to only work hard. It is not enough to follow the crowd. Adapt to changes in the market and circumstances. Only then will you survive and go past ahead and do something extraordinary.
Teamwork - Every business grows; every organisation becomes successful because of teamwork. There are no two ways about it.
Failures and Obstacles - Failures and obstacles are key elements of being successful. It is through our failures that we learn and grow. While overcoming our obstacles, we discover our potentials and unearth our strengths.
Passion - If you are not passionate about what you do, you won’t pursue what you are doing. You will give up and lose interest.
Purpose - Nobody succeeds because they want to become wealthy and prosperous, earn a name, or get fame. People, ideas, and organizations succeed because they make a difference to other people’s lives, society, and the world.
Pressure - Only when you are under pressure will you perform. Else, complacency will take over. Years of pressure help an ordinary piece of coal become a diamond.
5. What are some of the most important factors for running a successful business?
I will stick to giving tips and advice in my field. Look at market innovations in fabric, design, fits and styles. Engage external consultants to improve supply chain operations. Data-driven decision making. Customer experience/engagement is essential at the store.
Humility - Stay humble; be kind. You never know who will help you get your well-deserved break, a much-awaited opportunity to prove yourself and succeed.
Gratitude - Always be thankful for what you have. When you thank the universe for what you have, it will give you more reasons to be thankful. Complaining and being miserable will only attract more reasons to fail.
Endurance - Endure the storms that come your way in life. So what if it blows you off your feet? Stagger at your knees, but stand up again slowly.
Adaptability - It’s not enough to only work hard. It is not enough to follow the crowd. Adapt to changes in the market and circumstances. Only then will you survive and go past ahead and do something extraordinary.
Teamwork - Every business grows; every organisation becomes successful because of teamwork. There are no two ways about it.
Failures and Obstacles - Failures and obstacles are key elements of being successful. It is through our failures that we learn and grow. While overcoming our obstacles, we discover our potentials and unearth our strengths.
Passion - If you are not passionate about what you do, you won’t pursue what you are doing. You will give up and lose interest.
Purpose - Nobody succeeds because they want to become wealthy and prosperous, earn a name, or get fame. People, ideas, and organizations succeed because they make a difference to other people’s lives, society, and the world.
Pressure - Only when you are under pressure will you perform. Else, complacency will take over. Years of pressure help an ordinary piece of coal become a diamond.
5. What are some of the most important factors for running a successful business?
I will stick to giving tips and advice in my field. Look at market innovations in fabric, design, fits and styles. Engage external consultants to improve supply chain operations. Data-driven decision making. Customer experience/engagement is essential at the store.
Staff quality at the stores has to be exemplary. Improve systems and processes across the organisation. Be a product-centric organisation. Bring in franchisee partners who are driven towards business and profitability, not just investors.
Customer experience/engagement has to be excellent at the store. Staff quality at the stores should be excellent. Work consistently to improve systems and processes across the organisation. Be a product-centric organisation.
Research shows that the garment industry is the second most polluting industry in the world after oil and gas. Understanding this, how can Derby ensure sustainability as one of the core pillars when it comes to the selection of design, fabric, manufacturing, garment dyeing, and washing activity? This will ensure quality garments that last and are worn more by the customers, reducing the need for frequent replacement.
6. What are your tips for first time and aspiring entrepreneurs?
Believe in your dreams but be practical. Make a plan and execute it in a phased manner. Take risks but know when to pull back. Start small. Make sure you know what you are getting into. Acquire the required skills be it education and training in the field you are getting in to.
7. How can one overcome a hurdle of lack of funds when starting up?
You cannot start a business without money. It is important to plan and start saving and bringing in certain amounts of funds to start the business initially. Borrowing will be an essential aspect of getting the project up and about.
6. What are your tips for first time and aspiring entrepreneurs?
Believe in your dreams but be practical. Make a plan and execute it in a phased manner. Take risks but know when to pull back. Start small. Make sure you know what you are getting into. Acquire the required skills be it education and training in the field you are getting in to.
7. How can one overcome a hurdle of lack of funds when starting up?
You cannot start a business without money. It is important to plan and start saving and bringing in certain amounts of funds to start the business initially. Borrowing will be an essential aspect of getting the project up and about.
You can bring an enormous amount of funds which will not be sufficient to run the business successfully unless you plan well.
Interview by - Amatullah Lightwala
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