Biography of Karan Joshi: Founder & CEO of Odd Giraffe- Entrepreneur
Entrepreneur Behind Odd Giraffe
Karan Joshi is a dynamic entrepreneur and creative leader
who co-founded Odd Giraffe, a unique design-driven direct-to-consumer (DTC)
stationery brand. Odd Giraffe specializes in creating premium, personalized
products like planners, journals, notebooks, and other paper goods. These items
blend beautiful design with a focus on mental wellness, offering products that
inspire reflection, gratitude, and mindfulness. Joshi’s journey into
entrepreneurship reflects his passion for creativity and mental health, positioning
Odd Giraffe as a brand with a distinctive mission in the wellness space
Educational Background and Early Caree
Karan Joshi graduated from Somaiya Vidyavihar University in
Mumbai, where he pursued a Bachelor's degree in Mass Media, specializing in
Advertising. His educational background laid the foundation for his creative
career, and it was during this time that he began to develop his keen interest
in brand development, design, and digital media. His time at university helped
him hone his skills in communication and media, which he later applied in his
entrepreneurial ventures.
Rise of WeAreMumbai
Before founding Odd Giraffe, Joshi embarked on a unique
project, WeAreMumbai, which he started at the age of 20. WeAreMumbai is India’s
first rotational curation account on Twitter. Each week, a new Mumbaikar would
take over the account and share their experiences, ideas, and thoughts about
Mumbai. This innovative concept garnered immense popularity, with over 250
curators participating and more than 270,000 followers. The account became an
influential voice in Mumbai, and Joshi was even featured in major publications
like Yahoo Small Business Advisor for his pioneering efforts in social media
curation.
Founding Odd Giraffe
In 2019, Karan Joshi co-founded Odd Giraffe with his brother
Sanil. The idea behind the brand was to combine creativity with technology to
produce high-quality, customized stationery products. Joshi and his team
focused on creating products that not only served practical purposes but also
helped people manage their mental health. Their planners and journals are
designed to help users practice mindfulness and reflection, promoting mental
wellness and personal growth. Odd Giraffe quickly gained attention for its
unique approach and thoughtful product offerings.
The Mission Behind Odd Giraffe
Odd Giraffe’s mission is to integrate mental wellness into
the daily lives of its customers through design-driven stationery. The products
are not just aesthetically pleasing but also carefully crafted to encourage
mindfulness, reflection, and self-care. Joshi believes in the power of
journaling and planning to help individuals process their emotions and manage
their mental well-being. The brand aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental
health by providing people with tools that promote emotional and psychological
well-being in a meaningful, creative way.
Innovative Products and Customer Engagement
Odd Giraffe’s product line includes personalized notebooks,
planners, guided journals, and cards, all made with premium materials and
designed to elevate the user experience. The brand uses technology to offer
customization options, allowing customers to personalize their products with
names, messages, and unique designs. By focusing on a personalized and
high-quality experience, Odd Giraffe has built a loyal customer base who
appreciate the brand’s emphasis on both functionality and design.
The Struggles and Success of Odd Giraffe
Despite the growing demand for wellness-related products,
Odd Giraffe faced several challenges in its early stages. One of the biggest
hurdles was raising awareness about the benefits of journaling and the
connection between mental wellness and stationery products. However, Joshi’s
strategic vision and ability to adapt to market trends helped the brand gain
momentum. The focus on customization and design appealed to consumers looking
for unique, personal ways to manage their mental health, which helped Odd Giraffe
differentiate itself from traditional stationery brands.
Biography of Karan Joshi: Founder & CEO of Odd Giraffe- Entrepreneur/design-driven stationery brand on mental wellness/age/net worth/investor/startup
Pitching Odd Giraffe on Shark Tank India
Odd Giraffe’s journey took a significant turn when the brand
was featured on Shark Tank India in 2024. Karan and Sanil Joshi pitched their
brand to the Sharks, seeking ₹75 lakh for a 7.5% equity stake. Their pitch
focused on the mental wellness aspect of their products and the growing market
demand for holistic solutions. They emphasized how their products, such as
planners and guided journals, could help individuals with stress management,
emotional regulation, and overall mental health improvement.
Challenges in Securing Investment
Despite the strength of their pitch, Odd Giraffe faced tough
scrutiny from the Sharks, particularly due to concerns about the scalability of
the business. While the Sharks appreciated the social impact of the brand, they
expressed doubts about its potential for mass adoption and profitability.
Namita Thapar, one of the Sharks, felt that the wellness journal could create
barriers to creativity, and Aman Gupta questioned the market’s demand for
analog products in the age of digital technology. This led to the Joshi
brothers leaving the pitch without a deal.
Lessons from the Shark Tank Experience
Although Odd Giraffe did not secure an investment from the
Sharks, the appearance on Shark Tank India proved valuable in raising the
brand’s profile. The Joshi brothers used the opportunity to highlight the
importance of mental wellness and the positive impact their products had on
users. While they faced rejection, they took the feedback in stride and
continued to refine their business strategy. The experience underscored the
importance of aligning creativity with market demands and exploring new avenues
for growth.
Focus on Mental Wellness and Self-Care
Odd Giraffe’s focus on mental wellness is at the heart of
its brand. By encouraging users to prioritize self-care, reflection, and
mindfulness, the brand plays a crucial role in promoting mental health
awareness. The products are designed to help users navigate life’s challenges,
celebrate small victories, and reflect on their journey. This approach to
wellness sets Odd Giraffe apart from other stationery brands that focus
primarily on function without addressing the emotional and psychological needs
of customers
Building a Community of Support
Beyond selling products, Odd Giraffe seeks to build a
community around mental wellness. The brand encourages customers to share their
stories, experiences, and progress with journaling and planning. By fostering a
sense of belonging and support, Odd Giraffe is creating an environment where
individuals can feel empowered to take charge of their mental health. The
brand’s commitment to destigmatizing mental health and providing meaningful
tools for self-improvement resonates with a growing audience seeking holistic
solutions.
Future Prospects for Odd Giraffe
Looking ahead, Odd Giraffe plans to expand its product range
and further integrate technology with its offerings. The brand’s future
strategy includes scaling up its operations to reach a wider audience,
especially within the wellness and self-care community. While they may have
faced challenges on Shark Tank India, the Joshi brothers remain optimistic
about the brand’s potential and its ability to make a lasting impact on the
mental wellness industry. As they continue to refine their business model, Odd
Giraffe is poised for growth in the evolving wellness space.
Conclusion: A Brand with Purpose
Karan Joshi’s journey with Odd Giraffe reflects his
commitment to combining creativity with a purpose. Through the brand’s
thoughtful design and focus on mental wellness, Odd Giraffe has successfully
carved out a niche in the stationery market. The brand’s emphasis on
personalized, high-quality products for mental well-being resonates with
today’s consumers who are increasingly focused on self-care. Despite
challenges, Odd Giraffe’s story is a testament to the power of creative
entrepreneurship and its ability to inspire positive change in people’s lives.
Timeline for Karan Joshi Odd Giraffe story
2019 - Karan Joshi co-founds Odd Giraffe, a design-driven
stationery brand focused on mental wellness.
2024 - Odd Giraffe pitches on Shark Tank India, seeking ₹75
lakh for 7.5% equity but leaves without a deal.
Post-Shark Tank - Despite rejection, Odd Giraffe gains
increased brand exposure and continues focusing on mental wellness products.
Future Plans - Odd Giraffe aims to expand its product range
and reach a broader audience in the wellness and self-care market.
