The Inspiring Journey of Gauri Kaushish Varma’s brand “Confect” in Shark Tank India Season 4
Who is the founder of Confect?
Gauri Kaushish Varma is the founder of the food brand Confect. The company mainly provides decorative items for cakes and bakeries. Her journey from being a young girl in Delhi, underestimated by her own family, to founding a crore-worth brand is nothing short of remarkable.
Early Years and Education
Gauri was born and brought up in Delhi, Her early years were fraught with challenges. She scored 66% in her 10th standard exams. Her mother predicted a bleak future for her academic ambitions. She said that she could not enter college with such low grades. Her family, disappointed with her performance, suggested she get married at an early age, instead of pursuing higher studies. She was determined to escape this fate, Gauri turned to swimming. By November of the same year, she had transformed herself into a national-level swimmer.
Her persistence paid off, and by sports quota she secured admission to Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi University, to pursue a B.Com (Hons). But her ambition didn’t stop there. Against all odds and familial pressure, Gauri applied to Oxford Business School in the United Kingdom. Despite her parents urging her to return to India to marry, she began her professional journey in the UK by securing a job at Deloitte. After gaining experience, she returned to Mumbai, where she worked in business development, all the while nurturing the dream of starting her own venture.
The story of Confect and Gauri’s entrepreneurial journey
The turning point came in 2014-15 when Gauri ventured into the bakery business. The idea stemmed from her own wedding experience in Las Vegas, where she spent Rs 36,000 on a disappointing cake. Intrigued and frustrated, she delved deep into the bakery industry. She discovered India’s heavy reliance on imported products. She started with a cloud kitchen, she faced numerous challenges, including sourcing a fountain cake’s components, which took her months of relentless effort to track down.
Her dedication bore fruit as she mastered food technology and expanded her business to include a range of 800 products, including fondants and sprinkles. Gauri’s entrepreneurial journey took a bold turn when she pivoted to the US market. In just 18 months, her sales in the US soared to Rs 8.5 crore which showcased her ability to identify and seize global opportunities.
Confect Founder Gauri Varma in Shark Tank Season 4
Her ambition and achievements caught the spotlight when she appeared on the fourth season of Shark Tank India. In a dramatic pitch, she sought Rs 1 crore for 1% equity, valuing Confect at Rs 100 crore. Her pitch sparked heated debates among the sharks. While Peyush Bansal and Anupam Mittal expressed concerns over her focus and business strategy, Namita Thapar saw potential in Gauri’s vision. Namita offered Rs 1 crore for 2% equity with a royalty arrangement until her investment was recouped. Despite the valuation being halved, Gauri accepted the deal.
The episode highlighted Gauri’s resilience and sharp business acumen. Anupam’s critique of her ‘restless’ nature and Peyush’s advice to narrow her focus were met with firm rebuttals from Gauri, who believed in her diversified approach. As she left the stage, Vineeta Singh’s parting words echoed a valuable insight: “Your superpower has a dark side that doesn’t let you learn from failures, and that can hold you back.”
Today, Gauri Kaushish Varma stands as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs. She is a self-made entrepreneur. Her journey from societal and familial doubts to becoming a global businesswoman exemplifies the power of perseverance and self-belief. Gauri’s story reminds us that no dream is too big and no challenge is insurmountable when one is driven by passion and determination.