Beginners wear stonebear
- as ifStart Story | March 1, 2023
In a recent exclusive interview with Startupstory, Kushal Patel, owner of Stone Bear, a menswear brand under Panorama International, spoke about his history and his start-up. Brought up in a family that has been in the textile/export business for 30 years, Kushal joined the family business between 2008-2009. Although Kushal did not pursue further education after obtaining a diploma in mass communication from a prestigious college in Bombay, Kushal planned to continue his studies abroad. But due to financial crisis in 2007 he was unable to do so and joined his father’s business.
The motivation behind this initiative: an insider’s view
In the interview, Kushal stated that he believes that the textile sector is the most unorganized industry in the 21st century.St A century that most people know very little about. He argued that only two groups participated in this type of industry: those who came from wealthy families in the business or those who were forced into it. Well, personally, I have seen these businesses pass from generation to generation, especially because the people of the 90s have a better understanding of family business than this generation.
After completing his education, Kushal worked with his mother and family to organize the business. However, he did not want to work under someone else and focused on establishing his own company. Despite setbacks along the way, Kushal learned from the experience and was able to launch his own menswear brand, Stonebear, in 2022.
Founder’s vision of change: what they hope to achieve
Stonebear is a menswear startup, with Kushal hoping to break stereotypes around men’s fashion. The owner of the company believes that the textile industry is ripe for innovation and the launch will bring about the much-needed change in the sector. With a strong entrepreneurial spirit and desire to make a difference, Kushal has overcome obstacles to launch a successful brand that is sure to inspire others in the industry.
During an interview, Kushal, a successful family textile business from 2009-2019, shares his business journey and also talks about his startup plans. The business had a good turnover of 15-18 crores per annum, due to the efficient handling of skilled manpower. However, with his determination, he was not only able to explore new opportunities, but he learned valuable lessons. Despite the danger associated with starting a new job, he received help from his father, who suffered a massive hemorrhage in the brain, but he was like a pillar. Founder Kushal Patel admits that the term ‘startup’ is relatively new, but with the Covid-19 pandemic, it has gained more attention and is still growing.
What is the product offered by this company?
In a recent interview with Startup Story, he revealed that the product offered by the brand is not unique, as there are many other brands that offer similar styles and designs. However, the brand’s focus on providing comfortable and well-fitted products for every body type sets it apart from its competitors. Their tagline is ‘Wear Confidence’. The brand offers fittings in body sizes 20-25, including petite and double XL sizes, with an option for 5XL (future plans) as well. Based in Gujarat, this project was completed in December 2021 and officially launched in November 2022 and was successfully commercialized in December 2022 and January 2022. To convince potential customers, the brand is investing in paid promotions on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. .
Future plans of Stonebear companies
During the interview, it was shared that the brand aims to be a popular sustainable brand offering a range of men’s apparel and accessories, weekend wear, summer vacation wear, casual wear, accessories and cotton chinos. Their tagline is ‘Wear Confidence’, and they prioritize premium quality by importing fabrics from Italy and other parts of Europe. The brand is currently focused on digital marketing and has a small offline office setup. While they may need investment in the future, they are currently growing their business. This brand is also available on Amazon (main seller), Kushal also has international market experience so they are planning to expand globally.
Founder’s Challenges: A Closer Look
After sitting alone for two years, he launched his startup in 2021 with the aim of breaking stereotypes of the word ‘startup’, but faced challenges after the challenges of COVID-19. During the interview, the main risks encountered in the startup include the novelty of the word “startup” for potential customers and the loss of public attention. Owner Kushal started Stone Bear in 2022 and personally oversees all aspects of production and marketing with the help of one employee. Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Kushal is optimistic about the future of the business. He believes that it is important to have a good understanding of all aspects of the company, which is why he handles everything himself, without a labor team, logistics or accountants.
The founder shares ideas on competitors and offers a message of advice
During the interview, Kushal Patel, the owner of the textile startup, said that they don’t see their competitors as threats, but as individuals pursuing their own business goals. He believes that comparing and competing is a waste of time and it is important to focus on a clear vision of yourself. Kushal advises aspiring entrepreneurs to invest heavily and then move on to fundraising. And besides that, he mentioned the dangers of being careful when doing business in any international market, He later suggested that involving the government and the banks and the required government councils could provide additional security. Well, thanks to him for explaining this to the readers. From now on, the ultimate message is to pay attention to everyone, have a clear plan and build trust with business partners.
Follow the startup story
