Category: interview

Exclusive Interview with Shefali Jhalani, Founder, Sharisa India

Shefali Jhalani, Founder of Sharisa India exclusively discuss with Neel Achary, Editor of Business News Week. She discuss as the major aspects including the COVID during this interview.

What made you start Sharisa India?

Being a girl from a business family, I have always been interested in exploring and understanding the roots of everything I do or come across. Studying and working in the top-tier cities of India, I was exposed to different types of businesses and markets. It was then that I started to realize I would want to take my childhood fascination for makeup to the next level. And fortunately for me, while pursuing my Masters’s degree in London, I had a chance to understand the beauty industry on a global level.

Having sensitive skin all my life, I had to be conscious about the products I use. While I enjoy experimenting with all sorts of beauty products from varied brands, the ingredients started playing a major deciding factor while selecting the products.

 I started researching about what really goes in these makeup products to have a better understanding and that is when I perceived, finding products that are vegan, cruelty-free, skincare infused, consciously made, and most importantly suitable for each and everyone, was quite a task.

So in 2020, I decided to launch an impactful beauty brand, which can serve one’s beauty and skincare needs.

I started looking out for formulators who would help me get the formulation I desired for. I was very firm on getting my products manufactured in India as I am all in for #VocalforLocal. And I can proudly say, Sharisa India is Made in India.

Till now, the journey has been a roller coaster ride, but I am more than grateful since all our highs and lows have been great learning for us.

Sharisa is more than a brand for me, it is a manifestation of the love that I share for Makeup, Skincare and Nature, blended together.

Can you tell us about your partnership with INDHA?

Apart from curating a conscious product, I was very firm on associating Sharisa India with a Non-Profit organization in order to give back to society.

We have partnered with INDHA to support the vision of empowering women and creating livelihood opportunities for them.

INDHA is an independent societal enterprise powered by Literacy India, a non-profit organization since 1996. INDHA is a socially responsible initiative known to generate sustainable employment and empowerment opportunities for village artisans.

Every product that a consumer purchase, comes in sustainable cloth packaging that is handcrafted by a woman artisan. Being a woman, it feels gratifying to associate and support other women of the society.

When consumer purchases from Sharisa India, they don’t just buy a makeup product; but also give a ray of hope, a source of livelihood to a rural artisan.

In how many states so far your product reach in India through e-commerce?

I am so grateful we have reached almost every state in the country through our customers. What makes me super proud of our product reach is that it has successfully been delivered even to remote areas such as Renwal, Vesu, Bhiwandi, Saran, Muzzafarnagar.

Recently we also introduced International Shipping. As we aim to reach each and every beauty enthusiast around the world.

Where have your products been available in the market for consumers to buy?

Our Timeless Matte Liquid Lipsticks are readily available on our website Sharisaindia.com Other than that our products are also available to shop on Amazon India, Dufa Marketplace, LBB Shop, Step Set Go, Paavo India, Purplle, and we are also working on making them available on other online platforms.

Furthermore, we have also placed our products in a few beauty salons in Jaipur.

Since the time we have launched, we have also displayed our products at a few pop-ups such as Funky Fish, Hidden Treasures, S&S Trunkshow for consumers to get the look and feel of our lipsticks before making the purchase in person.

We did not venture into the retail market or get into offline stores yet, given the current situation around the world. But, we are determined in creating a strong digital presence before taking the next steps.

Any complements that you received from your clients?

It’s a feel-good factor to get feedback from the consumers.

We get compliments very often as Sharisa India is a sustainable brand. Nowadays consumers are well aware and they appreciate it if they get to use products that create no harm to the planet or the living beings and are made consciously.

Our audience admires the formulation as it’s long-lasting and lightweight.

Also, our customers cherish the creamy matte and highly pigmented lipsticks which give enough hydration.

We get acknowledged for our shade range which caters to all skin tones and skin types and is multi-functional at the same time.

Sharisa India’s packaging catches every individual’s eye and they praise us for how we have created an unboxing experience for everyone and associated with an NGO for a part of our packaging.

What are your future business plans?

With Sharisa, my passion for clean beauty with a mission to make luxury beauty products more accessible comes alive.

Being a makeup enthusiast and an advocate for clean beauty myself, I wanted to come up with a makeup brand featuring the kind of products that I would like to use as a consumer myself.

Through Sharisa, the vision is to create a line of multifunctional products that are both nourishing and beautifying, are infused with nourishing ingredients that provide skin-friendly application.

Futuristically, the aim is to have this Made in India brand renowned globally.

Being a founder is quite tedious task, how you manage yourself while promoting your business?

Warren Buffett once said, “In the world of business, the people who are most successful are those who are doing what they love”.

In business, every day is different with new challenges and learnings, but it gets interesting knowing that I am doing what I am most passionate about.

I won’t say it is an easy task to be a founder of a brand but having the right set of people around and the zeal to make things happen, makes the process smooth.

As Sharisa India is a fairly new brand, I have to be involved in all the activities with the team which gives me a better understanding and a great opportunity to be a part from start to finish.

With every passing day, we are achieving the little milestones and coming closer to making this dream into a reality.

Please tell our readers about the PETA certification?

“People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals” acknowledges beauty brands by providing a PETA-approved certification for those who do not test their products on animals or allow tests on animals for any of the ingredients, formulations, or products anywhere in the world.

Before launching our products we went through the process of approvals and got Sharisa India to become a part of this program as we got the certification from PETA under the category, Global animal test-free, and vegan.

How your products are best for the customers? Please mention the standard features of your products.

Sharisa India is delighted to commence the journey into the world of beauty with ‘Timeless Matte Liquid Lipstick.’

A lightweight and long-lasting lipstick with an organic twist that moisturizes the lips from within while delivering a flawless matte look. With a texture that is creamy, it glides on the lips smoothly while offering a full-coverage pigment that lasts long.

Our hero ingredient, Sea Buckthorn Oil helms our ship and has everything your skin demands; hydration, elasticity, cell regeneration, moisturization, and acne prevention.

Composed of Jojoba Butter that heals the cracks on the skin and moisturizes the lips and prevents dryness. Our Timeless Matte Lipstick also comprises Vitamin E which prevents oxidation. With an eclectic blend of finest ingredients, it’s here to befriend your skin.

With a colour palette of 12 Evergreen Shades to choose from, our lipsticks have a vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free formula.

Sharisa’s lipstick is a multi-functional product. Use it on your lips or dab it on your cheeks as a blush, or on your eyelids as a subtly tinted eye shadow.

Why is it exceptional? 

• Infused with sea buckthorn oil
• Can be used on lips, eyes, and cheeks
• Lightweight and Long-lasting
• Made in India

Your message to startups, entrepreneurs, and founders?

“As a founder, I have to be a learning and a growing founder”. It is all about learning new skills and finding new ways to run a successful business.

Furthermore, I am a firm believer that if you want to make something happen, you have to invest in learning and be open to new opportunities.

Nothing in life comes easy, all you have to do is believe in yourself and trust the process. Being consistent and hard-working will make it all possible.

About:

Sharisa stands for fierceness. For the one who is brave enough to redefine the existing notion of beauty, every day.

Among multiple definitions of beauty, we choose yours. Following this philosophy, Sharisa India aims to become everyone’s beautiful. We, together, are on a quest to unearth the Sharisa way of living.

This way of living is fueled by our love for nature, luxury, and exclusivity.

Our makeup products are infused with essential oils which keep you close to your roots and closer to your natural skin. Our hero ingredient, Sea Buckthorn Oil helms our ship and has everything your skin demands; hydration, elasticity, cell regeneration, moisturization, and acne prevention. With an eclectic blend of finest ingredients, we are here to befriend your skin. In other words, become your ‘second skin’ because we believe that skincare and makeup go hand in hand.

Our utmost priority is to offer quality ingredients that not only protect your skin but give you the confidence to wear makeup fearlessly. Backed by research and real consumer insights, our products tend to all your skin needs and skin shades.

Sharisa India is our stepping stone to build a bias-free world.

Our belief in the power of exclusivity and representation reflects in our range of products that have no age bar, no gender bar, no race bar, and no ethnicity bar. We aim to revolutionize the way makeup has been perceived over the years because we reckon that makeup is for anyone who loves themselves.

We firmly believe that a sustainable future is the only way of well-being today, hence our products are PETA certified which means we are vegan and animal test-free.

Exclusive Interview with Tim Jameson, owner of Innovative Pyrotechnic Concepts and creator of PyroJam

Pic: Tim Jameson (right) from Innovative Pyrotechnic Concepts

We thank Tim Jameson, owner of Innovative Pyrotechnic Concepts and creator of PyroJam, for this interview opportunity. Tim discussed various business aspects while interacting with Rochelle Brandvein, President, Brandvein Aaranson Public Relations, and Neel Achary, Editor, Business News This Week.

What made you want to start Innovative Pyrotechnic Concepts?

I worked for several companies throughout my career, and I noticed they treated smaller companies differently from the larger clients. I wanted to change that thinking, especially since it’s the smaller businesses who make up the bulk of the revenue within this industry. I founded Innovative Pyrotechnic Concepts in 2013 with one goal in mind: to produce the most amazing fireworks shows for all clients regardless of their size or their budget.

I created PyroJam this year because I have always wanted to produce and shoot my own fireworks festival…and this one is going to be one-of-a-kind! We will feature an International Fireworks Competition that showcases pyrotechnicians from around the world plus we are working with a fireworks display choreography software company to host this virtual design competition. PyroJam combines more than two hours of fireworks, three live bands, a designated Kids Zone, and so much more. It is definitely going to be a party you don’t want to miss!

Have you ever produced big fireworks shows before and, if so, how was the experience?

IPC designed and fired two Grand Public Displays for the Pyrotechnic Guild International, which is the largest fireworks convention in the U.S. and one of the biggest fireworks conventions in the world. Each show used over 100 different firing positions with product costs alone of more than $50,000. It was a wonderful experience to show what IPC is capable of both on the greatest stage possible and in front of the world’s most talented fireworks professionals.

What is the size of the clients you work with?

We work with a wide range of clientele – from private individuals and city/county municipalities to professional sports teams and amusement parks. The smallest clients we work with are typically for wedding or private displays, which begin in the $3,000 budget range. One of our largest clients is Sea World Entertainment, which has a net worth of $4.89 billion.

Do you have any plans for expanding your services or business?

In 2021, IPC expanded into the close proximity/special effects side of our industry, which focuses on producing special effects and full displays in very tight locations that don’t have a lot of room for fireworks. This includes places like rooftops and scoreboards at sporting venues, as well as downtown areas where space is limited. This sector involves extremely strict safety regulations when working with explosives, and we look forward to growing this service over the next year.

Do you provide services across the U.S.?

IPC is based in Southern Maryland, so we primarily work with clients in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. We have produced displays throughout the country including Wyoming, Missouri, Iowa, and Michigan.

What major services do you currently offer?

We produce two types of fireworks displays: traditional and pyromusicals – or “concerts in the sky” – which combine fireworks and music timed down to the 1/100^th of a second for complete synchronization. We also focus on our newer close proximity/special effects business based upon the increased demand for these types of shows.

What safety measures do you take when launching fireworks?

IPC adheres to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes and standards for firework and pyrotechnic display operation. All our productions are electronically fired, so this eliminates the need for our crew to be in the discharge area during a display. We take safety seriously as should anyone working with and around fireworks. Since our inception, IPC has had a perfect safety rating.

Discuss big contracts you achieved during COVID.

2020 was a “lost year” for all companies in the fireworks industry since very few shows were produced. 2021 saw a definite boost in business as clients added displays in hopes of both enticing – and prolonging – their customer’s visit to their venues. Our entertainment helped increase their overall revenues and aided in their recovery from a very trying 2020. The largest contract we had in 2021 was for more than 50 outdoor displays and over 50 special effects productions at Busch Gardens Williamsburg amusement and theme park.

What is your message to entrepreneurs and aspiring business leaders?

Owning your very own business is one of the most satisfying journeys you can accomplish in your lifetime. The ability to control your own destiny, as well as help others support their families, is a wonderful feeling…but it does not come without sacrifice. There is no shortcut when it comes to building your business since you must be willing to work harder than all your competitors to survive and flourish.

Another key to creating a successful business: build an excellent team and surround yourself with individuals who excel at all the things you do not. Remember to treat them well, pay them fairly, and commend them for a job well done when it is deserved. In time you will find you not only have built a business, but you have also created an extension of your family. The right team will treat your business as their own and always do their best on behalf of your company.

About Tim Jameson

Tim Jameson is the owner of Innovative Pyrotechnic Concepts, a Southern Maryland pyrotechnics company that produces more than 200 shows per year ranging from festivals and private events to amusement parks and professional sports teams in the Southern Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Greater DC areas. IPC is an award-winning national competitor in the pyro world known for their traditional fireworks shows and customer choreographed pyromusical displays.

Tim is also the creator of PyroJam, a day-into-night festival featuring live musical entertainment, interactive children’s activities, and more than two hours of fireworks by some of the world’s top pyrotechnic choreographers. The inaugural event – branded a “Rock the Day/Shock the Night” experience– will be held this Memorial Day weekend and is presented by IPC.

Exclusive Interview with Mayank Jain, Co-Founder, Scalenut

We thank Mayank Jain, Co-founder, Scalenut for this interview opportunity. Scalenut is a Seed-Funded AI-enabled content intelligence Saas platform for on-demand business services. He discussed various aspects of content intelligence, implementation of AI solutions, and digital adoption while interacting with Neel Achary, Editor of Business News This Week.

Q. The objective behind starting Scalenut?

At Scalenut, we strive to assist users in producing great content at scale. Our goal was to design the ideal mix of technical solutions to assist our users in producing research-based, high-quality content.

In December 2020, we began developing the managed services marketplace. We worked with hundreds of companies all over the world there. We started our SaaS solution in September of 2021 both for our end users and freelancers. The idea is to provide the correct set of technology tools to creators and businesses to make the process considerably more efficient.

What we have here is a cutting-edge AI-powered platform for content discovery and development. As we go forward, we intend to continue building the right technology solutions for creators.

Q. What is the USP of Scalenut?

I would say, we are different from other players in two ways. One is that our content creation technology is backed by an intelligence and research module. Typically, you would find a lot of plain vanilla AI writing solutions. However, they don’t provide any intelligence about what kind of content one should create. Our’s is a research-backed content creation platform for long-form writing.

Second, we have two other pillars in the form of a short-form AI writing toolkit and managed marketplace. Our managed marketplace is designed to serve both businesses and creators. Using our technology, they are able to scale content creation seamlessly.

Q. How many customers across the globe have received your services?

We are loved by over 10000+ users from 50+ different countries.

Q. How is leveraging technology – AI – redefining content intelligence?

AI is rapidly evolving in this space. Content creation is never easy. One has to discover and research what kind of content would work best for their audience and then create engaging content. Distribution remains a problem as well. AI and other technologies are helping in all these legs of content creation. As we move ahead, AI will redefine pretty much everything around content. It’s still very early and users are still discovering the power of AI. We anticipate, over the next few years, AI will become mainstream in the content creation process.

Q. How does your service help writers in content development?

Our SEO Assistant helps writers do the content research. Within a click of a button, creators get powerful insights from the top-ranking URLs and help them create a perfect content outline. This is backed by our proprietary research algorithms. In addition, SEO Assistant helps creators to do social listening on the go. That helps them cover key questions users are trying to get answers to while they are searching on search engines.

Second, we have several layers of applications that help write entire content using AI. While it’s extremely important to guide AI with the right inputs, it shortens the entire creation process by 10x.

Q. Are your solutions suitable for startups?

Absolutely, Scalenut is loved by start-ups across the globe. What we are trying to do is provide the technology and talent solutions at the right price point. Startups face issues in scaling content. They have to hire multiple people or rely on agencies. This becomes very difficult to scale. With Scalenut, they are able to scale content using very limited resources and at a fraction of the cost.

Q. How do you manage diversified customers/clients from India?

We are a global organization. For our SaaS platform, less than 10% of the users are from India. While for our Marketplace, most of the users are from India.

While customers are diversified, at the end of the day they are all looking for solutions to scale content creation. Our platform is industry agnostic and that helps businesses of all industries and sizes to create content.

Q. Compared to the inception in 2020, what is the current business size?

We get very good traffic from across the world. As I had mentioned, we are loved by over 10000+ users from 50+ countries. On the marketplace, we have worked with over 200+ businesses including some of the large enterprises in India and abroad.

Q. Is there any impact of COVID on your business?

Not really. Rather, this has helped this industry. As the pace of digital transformation is growing, content creation is growing. So, we are in a good place.

Q. What is your insight on content intelligence and content marketing in years to come?

Lots of technology enhancements are happening in this space. We feel that over the next 5 years, technology will make the process much simpler. Identifying what kind of content to create, to actually create content will become much more efficient. We hope to play a big role in this at a global level.

About Scalenut

Scalenut is a Seed-Funded AI-enabled content intelligence Saas platform for on-demand business services. At Scalenut, businesses can find various services at fixed prices, with pre-defined workflows & milestones, and delivered by top freelancers. Currently, the platform is offering fully managed content development services.
When said SaaS-enabled, Scalenut provides pre-defined requirements and standardized requirements. This helps freelancers in producing high-quality content. Also, end customers can share their requirements in a structured way. The end-to-end workflow module helps end customers in tracking their work, ensuring on-time and high-quality deliveries.

Scalenut is founded in August 2020 and started operations in October 2020 by Co-Founders; Mayank Jain, Gaurav Goyal & Saurabh Wadhwan.

Today is an era of managed marketplaces. Scalenut has seen various players disrupting industries like home service, ticketing, good delivery, and many more through a fully managed full-stack approach. The same has not happened in freelancing services yet.

India serving global demand is also limited to IT but has not expanded to other categories. We aim to bridge that gap and build an ‘India serves the world’ business.

About Mayank Jain

Mayank Jain is the Co-Founder of Scalenut. At Scalenut he looks at sales & marketing, investor relations, HR & finance operations. Before Scalenut, he was the CEO at Selltm, a fully-owned subsidiary of Snapdeal. At Snapdeal, Mayank spent over 7 years building and leading various functions. During his tenure with Snapdeal, he built Supplier Ecosystem and led Supply Chain and Customer Experience functions. Before Snapdeal, Mayank was a part of two start-ups, where he played a pivotal role in Business Development and Operations. He started his career with ITC, where he spent 3 years across operations and engineering functions. Mayank holds B-Tech and M-Tech degrees from IIT Kanpur.