Shark Tank India 4: Vineeta Singh tells a Vacation-wear brand she hates their brand name; says 'Sorry to say but the name sounds cheap'
etimes.in | Feb 1, 2025, 12.54 PM IST
The latest episode of Shark Tank India season 4 featured a vacation clothing-brand WomenLikeU which is engineered for the various Indian body types. Founders Abu Zoheib Jilani and Shrijal Dave from Bengaluru revealed a body type calculator is available on the website to check body type and explore curated collections by WomenLikeU stylists for informed choices. WomenLikeU started with the swimwear category and later launched dresses, Co-ord sets. WomenLikeU has so far made 40,000+ customers. Their vision is to be a one-top destination in the next five years. Their ask is Rs 1 crore for 2 percent Equity.
As soon as they ended their presentation, Vineeta Singh revealed that she bought one of the swimsuits with the sarong and she really loved it. Zoheib and Shrijal opened up about their journeys and the former shared that he was born and brought up in Ranchi. After his schooling he went to NIFT Kolkata and post his graduation he worked with many global brands. Shrijal is born and brought up in Delhi but her family is from Gujarat and since childhood she wanted to be a fashion designer. She shared as a girl she wrote the same in all her essays. Shrijal studied Fashion Management from NIFT, Shillong.
Zoheib shared that Swimwear has the category of around Rs 1500 crores market In India. They give a demo of WomenLikeU body type calculator to the Sharks. Anupam raises his concern and asks that the body type categories like Pear shape, apple, hourglass, or heart don't objectify a woman. He shares that if they want to be a leader, then they should refrain from using these languages. He advises them to think differently. They started in July 2022 and did Rs 34 lakhs in 9 months time and it came from websites. In FY23-24 their sales jumped to Rs 4.7 crores and 100 percent of previous years sales can be attributed to their own website. In FY23-24 burn was Rs 76 lakhs and FY24-25 (till September) was Rs 5 crores, the net sales was Rs 4.1 crores. The FY24-25 projected Gross Sales will be Rs 11 crores. Their inventory is for 20-25 days and now WomenLikeU is available on their website, Nykaa, Myntra and Ajio.
They also have a luxury line which is called 'Waves By Shrijal'. Peyush Bansal was not satisfied about a few questions and hence he backed out.
During her feedback, Vinita appreciated the styles which cover the tummy and the matching coverup the brand provides. However, she goes to share how much she hates the brand name.
Vineeta says, "I hate the brand name, logo, and the spelling of 'U'. It is so bad, believe me. When I was buying, the only issue I had was, what kind of brand is WomenLikeU. The designs are prints are so premium, if you use such... I'm sorry to say, but if the name sounds so cheap with the spelling of 'U' like this, it creates a bit of dissonance for the consumer. My suggestion is that Waves By Shrinjal makes it seem like it's a premium brand. Even if you are selling products for around Rs 3000, you need to make the consumer feel that she's buying aspirational luxury. It should not be WomenLikeU. I'll give you an offer, which you may not like because I don't think anyone else will give you an offer."
Vinita offers them Rs 1 crore for 3 percent Equity plus a 2 percent royalty until Rs 1.5 times crores is recouped. Anupam Mittal backs out as he is confused about the positioning.
Aman, on the other hand, asks Zoheib and Shrijal for their thoughts on Vineeta’s feedback regarding their brand name. In response, Zoheib explains that they have consistently received positive feedback about it. He also adds that the reason is that possibly the brand name is easy to explain and understand. Aman agrees with Zoheib and offers them a deal. He offers them Rs 1 crore for 3 percent Equity plus 2 percent royalty until Rs 1 crore is recouped. Zoheib and Shrijal take a break to discuss and return asking Vineeta and Aman to join but Vineeta puts a condition to change the brand name WomenLikeU and its logo. Vineeta backs out, and Aman seals the deal on Rs 1 crore for 3 percent Equity plus 2 percent royalty until Rs 1 crore is recouped.
Zoheib and Shrijal get the deal.
As soon as they ended their presentation, Vineeta Singh revealed that she bought one of the swimsuits with the sarong and she really loved it. Zoheib and Shrijal opened up about their journeys and the former shared that he was born and brought up in Ranchi. After his schooling he went to NIFT Kolkata and post his graduation he worked with many global brands. Shrijal is born and brought up in Delhi but her family is from Gujarat and since childhood she wanted to be a fashion designer. She shared as a girl she wrote the same in all her essays. Shrijal studied Fashion Management from NIFT, Shillong.
Zoheib shared that Swimwear has the category of around Rs 1500 crores market In India. They give a demo of WomenLikeU body type calculator to the Sharks. Anupam raises his concern and asks that the body type categories like Pear shape, apple, hourglass, or heart don't objectify a woman. He shares that if they want to be a leader, then they should refrain from using these languages. He advises them to think differently. They started in July 2022 and did Rs 34 lakhs in 9 months time and it came from websites. In FY23-24 their sales jumped to Rs 4.7 crores and 100 percent of previous years sales can be attributed to their own website. In FY23-24 burn was Rs 76 lakhs and FY24-25 (till September) was Rs 5 crores, the net sales was Rs 4.1 crores. The FY24-25 projected Gross Sales will be Rs 11 crores. Their inventory is for 20-25 days and now WomenLikeU is available on their website, Nykaa, Myntra and Ajio.
They also have a luxury line which is called 'Waves By Shrijal'. Peyush Bansal was not satisfied about a few questions and hence he backed out.
During her feedback, Vinita appreciated the styles which cover the tummy and the matching coverup the brand provides. However, she goes to share how much she hates the brand name.
Vineeta says, "I hate the brand name, logo, and the spelling of 'U'. It is so bad, believe me. When I was buying, the only issue I had was, what kind of brand is WomenLikeU. The designs are prints are so premium, if you use such... I'm sorry to say, but if the name sounds so cheap with the spelling of 'U' like this, it creates a bit of dissonance for the consumer. My suggestion is that Waves By Shrinjal makes it seem like it's a premium brand. Even if you are selling products for around Rs 3000, you need to make the consumer feel that she's buying aspirational luxury. It should not be WomenLikeU. I'll give you an offer, which you may not like because I don't think anyone else will give you an offer."
Vinita offers them Rs 1 crore for 3 percent Equity plus a 2 percent royalty until Rs 1.5 times crores is recouped. Anupam Mittal backs out as he is confused about the positioning.
Aman, on the other hand, asks Zoheib and Shrijal for their thoughts on Vineeta’s feedback regarding their brand name. In response, Zoheib explains that they have consistently received positive feedback about it. He also adds that the reason is that possibly the brand name is easy to explain and understand. Aman agrees with Zoheib and offers them a deal. He offers them Rs 1 crore for 3 percent Equity plus 2 percent royalty until Rs 1 crore is recouped. Zoheib and Shrijal take a break to discuss and return asking Vineeta and Aman to join but Vineeta puts a condition to change the brand name WomenLikeU and its logo. Vineeta backs out, and Aman seals the deal on Rs 1 crore for 3 percent Equity plus 2 percent royalty until Rs 1 crore is recouped.
Zoheib and Shrijal get the deal.
Shark Tank India 3’s Anupam Mittal, Vineeta Singh, Amit Jain, Aman Gupta on the viral memes
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