In this episode of Backstage with Blur the Border, host Aishwarya Avlani sits down with Raul Rai, the co-founder of the lifestyle brand Nicobar. Raul shares insights into his entrepreneurial journey, beginning with his private equity and investment banking background to co-founding Nicobar with Simran Lal. The discussion delves into the brand's philosophy of mindful consumption, creating timeless designs, and maintaining a balance between aspiration and accessibility. Raul also touches on the importance of learning from customers, the role of luck in success, and the personal growth that comes from stepping outside one's comfort zone. The conversation is engaging, philosophical, and filled with valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Presented By: Blur the Border

Hosted By: Aishwarya Avlani

Produced By: Rhea Bhambhani and Blur the Border

Audio-Video Production & Post-Production: Canopy Media

Location Courtesy: Canopy Studios

Music: Licensed through Epidemic Sound

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

00:51 From Ideation to Execution: The Birth of Nicobar

05:10 Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone and Embracing the Beginner’s Mindset

07:42 The Role of Design and Team in Nicobar

08:26 How to Make Your Brand Stand Out

10:12 Raul’s Switch from Private Equity to Entrepreneurship

13:33 A Day in the Life of an Entrepreneur

16:30 The Role of Serendipity in Brand Success

24:45 On Working with your Partner

30:59 Hiring for Passion: The Nicobar Approach

32:09 Key Insights from Launching an Omnichannel Brand

32:46 The Importance of Storytelling in Branding

36:08 The Customer Perception of a Brand // On Becoming the Go-to Brand for Gifting

39:29 On Staying True to Your Brand DNA

42:11 Balancing Brand Identity with Customer Needs

46:46 Future Vision for Nicobar

51:30 Know the Founder

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