In conversation with Dhruv Madhok and Dhruv Bhasin, whose story goes back to about more than half a decade. Two friends who identified the gap in the hair care and grooming segment and set out to bring about a safe alternative to style their hair - such as the one made by Dhruv Bhasin’s mother using flax seeds as a substitute to hair-styling gel. This home product is what had sown the seed of Arata – a homegrown, began, natural and sustainable brand. From what started at the home kitchen with the first off hand consumer base being friends and family to a brand which is now available across e-commerce platform’s Arata has come a long way. Similarly from working in the corporate sector to turning into entrepreneurs with the foundation of Arata, it has been quite an adventurous journey for both the Dhruv’s so far - with the latest achievement being panelists on a tv show titled The Inventor Challenge.
1. What is the idea behind the formation of Arata?
Dhruv Madhok: The idea behind Arata was to build a personal care brand that’s high-performing, non-toxic and plant-powered. We were also inspired by minimalism and incorporated a simplistic ideal into our brand–creating clean, effective products with minimal ingredients.
2. Tell us about Arata’s expansion plans? What categories are you looking to tap in the next few months or this year?
Dhruv Bhasin: This year has been a big one for us in terms of new product development. We’ve launched back-to-back products–from hair styling, colour maintenance, and dandruff control to hair growth. Going forward, too, we’re looking to tap into a lot more hair-centric categories.
3. Considering you have covered an entire leap from being a founder to a panellist on a TV show, tell us about your learnings from the journey.
Dhruv Madhok: The leap has essentially taught us to be open to opportunities and have a growth mindset. There's a lot that rides on luck and serendipity, but if one isn’t open to new opportunities that come your way, you could potentially be saying no to something that can turn out fantastic.
4. As a panellist on the Inventor Challenge, what would be your strategy to guide the participants in the show?
Dhruv Bhasin: The core of an invention is to make something that solves a problem. Have grit. The journey of building something from nothing is extremely challenging and daunting. You must rely on discipline rather than motivation to help you get through it. Talk to people about your invention. Many people feel it's best to keep the idea under wraps to ensure its security. However, it’s important to understand that the idea and the inventor are very often married, and nobody else feels so passionately about the idea as the inventor. Therefore, float your idea around, get opinions and understand if your product or service is of value.
5. What made you pick up the role of becoming a panellist?
Dhruv Bhasin: It was an exciting opportunity because, as founders, we come from a similar headspace of building something valuable. So we’ve got a lot of transferable skills and knowledge we can pass on to the participants or innovators to help shorten their learning curve.
6. What is your success mantra?
Dhruv Madhok: My success mantra is pretty simple–keep on keeping on. Extract all the fear and keep executing relentlessly. Then, it's only a matter of time before something clicks. Even a broken clock is right twice a day. Whereas you only have to be right once–with your big idea. I am also a big believer in things working out gradually and suddenly. It takes a lot of time and effort to build something of value. Anything worth doing or achieving always seems to happen gradually and suddenly–whether working on a physique or building a company.
For example: to an onlooker, it looks like you just woke up one day, and you're absolutely ripped, but they overlook the work that goes into achieving this body. Another one–one-day, people discovered Uber and went, wow, this guy made an app, and he’s a billionaire. But it’s not an instant outcome. It’s been years in the making!
7. Considering you are a young entrepreneur, many aspiring businessmen and women would be looking up to you. Any word of advice you would like to share?
Dhruv Bhasin: Solve problems, have grit and don’t over-index the outcome–instead, focus on habits, discipline, and execution. Also, enjoy yourself.
8. Tell us about your style. What are the must-haves in your wardrobe? What is your go-to look?
Dhruv Madhok: My dressing style is fairly conservative. Well, it was until I went on the tv show, where I wore yellow! Mostly, I wear a pair of jeans and a polo or a button-down. But, I always suit up whenever I go out. My friends call me the Brooks Brothers of the group! Dressing up formal is something I enjoy. So in my wardrobe, you'll find oxford shoes, double monk strap shoes and classic two-piece suits.
10. What’s your fitness regime? In terms of fitness, how similar or different are you both from each other?
Dhruv Madhok: I make it a point to move five or six times a week. It’s not very extensive. I haven't had much luck with being consistent with the gym. So I bought the gym home. I’ve built a gym with one bench, a barbell, some weights, a yoga mat, and a skipping rope. I do a quick 20-minute jog and the five simple Olympic lifts in my home gym. So within 45 mins, I’m done with a full-body workout.
Dhruv Bhasin:I do boxing three to four times a week. I run or lift weights the rest of the days! It keeps me active and in good shape.
