Kundan and Abhishek Mishra Transforming Merchandise Retail with Custkart

When Kundan Mishra watched the popular web series “TVF Pitchers,” it sparked an entrepreneurial fire within him. Little did he know that this series would be the catalyst for his journey into the world of start-ups. As an engineering student awaiting job placements, Kundan decided to forge his path by venturing into entrepreneurship. In 2017, he took the plunge and founded his own company, and after three years of hustle, he joined forces with his brother, Abhishek Mishra, to launch Custkart—a merchandise start-up—in June 2020. With both brothers in their early 20s, their mission was to contribute to their home state of Jharkhand and be part of India’s dynamic entrepreneurial community. Today, Custkart, which specializes in selling merchandise like t-shirts, caps, and hoodies to corporates and institutions, has achieved a turnover of Rs 50 lakh and aims to become the standard merchandise retailer in India.

Student to Entrepreneur:

Kundan’s entrepreneurial journey began when he was a third-year engineering student at the Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology. After watching “TVF Pitchers,” he became enamoured with the idea of starting his own venture. While most of his classmates were focused on preparing for semester exams and securing job placements, Kundan was busy researching how to start a business.

He initially contemplated creating an online salon aggregator but later shifted his focus to printing t-shirts for college festivals. His first orders came from Jharkhand through word-of-mouth referrals, and as demand grew, he decided to officially establish Custkart in 2020, partnering with Abhishek.

However, the journey was far from easy, and Kundan faced moments of doubt and uncertainty. He even questioned whether he had made a mistake by not accepting job offers from his college.

Overcoming Challenges and Focusing on Quality:

Custkart encountered challenges related to product quality and customer satisfaction. Some customers complained about the quality of the merchandise, and others claimed that they didn’t use the products they received. To address these issues, Custkart began offering merchandise with a guarantee, assuring customers of improved quality.

A Unique Approach:

Custkart differentiates itself in the crowded Indian merchandise market through its personalized service and commitment to quality. While many companies provide merchandise, Custkart takes a unique approach. The company considers both the corporate clients’ requirements and the preferences of the end-users, ensuring that employees or students are satisfied with the products they receive.

In just six months, Custkart has fulfilled over one lakh orders for more than 25 engineering and medical colleges across India, as well as several corporate entities. Kundan proudly mentions that their clientele even extends to places as remote as Nagaland. Custkart has successfully managed to deliver high-quality merchandise that meets the tastes and requirements of its diverse customer base. A Custkart t-shirt typically ranges from Rs 300 to Rs 500.

Creating Employment in Hometown:

Choosing Bokaro as the base for Custkart was a deliberate decision for Kundan, who wanted to create job opportunities for locals in his hometown and surrounding villages. His mentor, Professor Tej S Chingtham, guided him in understanding how to generate employment and wealth at the grassroots level.

Custkart has its factory near Bokaro, where all workers come from nearby villages. This approach allows Kundan to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in rural areas.

Bootstrapped Success:

Custkart began as a bootstrapped venture, with all capital coming from its operations. However, the start-up is now seeking external funding to expand, scale, invest in marketing efforts, and increase production capacity from 500 units to 2,000 units per day. This expansion will not only allow Custkart to provide more job opportunities but also to serve a broader customer base.

Kundan and Abhishek Mishra’s Custkart journey demonstrates the power of determination and innovation. As they continue to build their business, they are poised to make a significant impact on India’s merchandise retail industry, one quality product at a time.