Entrepreneurs
Keshav Rai From Failed Start-ups to a Rs 1.3 Crore Annual Turnover with Bike Blazer
Meet Keshav Rai, a 27-year-old entrepreneur who defied academic expectations and turned his passion for innovation into a successful business venture. While he may not have been the star student in school, his determination and creativity paved the way for entrepreneurial success.
During his college years, Keshav and his friends often engaged in discussions about start-up ideas. The entrepreneurial bug had bitten them, and they spent hours brainstorming potential ventures. However, these early endeavours didn’t yield significant results.
Keshav was so committed to the idea of entrepreneurship that he even approached his father for funding one of his app-based start-ups in 2015. Unfortunately, his first attempt at starting a company ended in failure. But Keshav’s resilience and hunger for innovation were far from extinguished.
The Birth of Bike Blazer: Innovation Strikes
In late 2016, Keshav launched Bike Blazer, a venture that specializes in two-wheeler parking covers designed to be water-resistant and dust-proof. What sets these covers apart is their user-friendly design—they can be easily fixed onto the vehicle, and the entire process takes less than 30 seconds.
The inspiration for Bike Blazer struck Keshav during a challenging period when he was searching for a new business idea. Observing a man in a metro station parking lot desperately searching for a cloth to wipe his bike, Keshav saw an opportunity. He envisioned creating semi-automatic bike covers that would eliminate the need for people to carry them around daily.
Keshav’s father, recognizing the potential in his son’s idea, provided the support needed to bring Bike Blazer to life. The market was untapped, and the product addressed a genuine need in India.
Innovation and Features:
Bike Blazer covers are crafted from industrial-grade Nylon Taffeta, known for its weather resistance. These covers incorporate a clever mechanism to drain collected rainwater, ensuring the bike’s interior stays dry. The cover can even be rolled back into the device when wet.
Using the portable, semi-automatic cover is a breeze. It takes less than 30 seconds to pull out the cover, shield the entire bike, and retract it. The device also features built-in anti-theft and anti-vibration locks, along with a safety red reflector tape for added security.
Challenges and Triumphs:
Introducing a new product to the market always poses challenges. In Bike Blazer’s case, the primary hurdle was changing people’s habits. Convincing individuals to spend extra money on a product when they were accustomed to using old cloths to wipe their bikes was no small feat.
Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic created obstacles for Bike Blazer’s export business. Finding trustworthy talent that believed in the company’s vision was another challenge.
The Path to Success:
Despite these challenges, Keshav’s determination and innovative product found their way to success. The company began with an initial investment of around Rs 2 lakh and achieved a turnover of approximately Rs 7 lakh in its first year. By the second year, with effective promotion on social media and listing on online marketplaces, turnover soared to Rs 55 lakh. Today, Bike Blazer boasts an impressive annual turnover of Rs 1.3 crore.
Looking Ahead
Keshav Rai’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to the power of innovation and perseverance. His ability to turn a simple observation into a successful business demonstrates the endless opportunities that exist for those willing to think outside the box.
As for the future, Keshav has plans to expand his product line to include similar solutions for four-wheelers. He acknowledges that while generating ideas may be quick, building a business around them is a journey that requires unwavering dedication.
In Keshav Rai’s story, we find inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs—a reminder that with determination, even failed attempts can lead to remarkable success.