Biography of Natwar Agrawal: Founder & CEO of Bacca Bucci- Entrepreneur
Biography of Natwar Agrawal:
Natwar Agrawal's Journey: From CA to Footwear Entrepreneur
Natwar Agrawal was born in 1988 in Sikar, Rajasthan, around
115 km from Jaipur. His father owned a rice mill, and his mother was a
housewife. Natwar had a strong academic foundation, finishing his Class 12 in
2008. Shortly after, he moved to Delhi, where he cleared the CA entrance exam
(CPT). His entrepreneurial journey began while balancing his studies, setting
the stage for his future ventures.
The Idea Behind Bacca Bucci
Bacca Bucci, a footwear brand founded by Natwar and his
friend Anuj, had a unique backstory. The brand name itself symbolizes
self-confidence, uniqueness, and authenticity. The duo started their venture
with limited knowledge about the shoe industry, but their shared vision and
determination kept them going. Initially, they faced significant challenges,
including financial constraints and uncertainty.
Overcoming Early Challenges
In the beginning, Bacca Bucci’s founders faced cash flow
issues. They had to rely on credit from manufacturers, which was not easy. Some
questioned their decision to enter the shoe business despite their
qualifications as Chartered Accountants (CAs). Despite these doubts, they had a
solid business plan, which earned them the trust of their suppliers. Natwar and
Anuj also borrowed money from Natwar’s elder sister, who worked at an
investment firm in Boston, which they later repaid.
Learning Through Mistakes
As with most startups, Bacca Bucci learned valuable lessons
from early mistakes. One significant error was overstocking a design that
didn’t sell well. Without realizing that shoes had an expiry date, they ended
up with unsellable stock. The shoes were sold to a scrap dealer at a loss, but
this setback helped them better understand the business and refine their
approach to product management.
The Turning Point: Shark Tank India
Bacca Bucci’s appearance on Shark Tank India in season 3
marked a major turning point. Their pitch for ₹2.5 crores for 1% equity didn’t
result in an investment, but the exposure was invaluable. Post-show, the brand
saw a massive 50x increase in website traffic, which translated into valuable
connections and opportunities for growth. They were able to hire skilled staff,
something that had been a significant challenge in the early days of the
business.
E-Commerce Success and Expansion
Before Shark Tank India, Bacca Bucci’s products were sold
exclusively on third-party e-commerce websites. However, in 2019, they launched
their own website to gain more control over customer data and better understand
their preferences. This move proved successful, allowing them to engage
directly with customers and enhance their marketing strategies.
Biography of Natwar Agrawal: Founder & CEO of Bacca Bucci- Entrepreneur/Bacca Bucci story/sg=hark tank/Natwar Agrawal story/footwear story
Offline Store Launch and International Expansion
In 2022, Bacca Bucci took a bold step by launching its first
offline store in Rohini, Delhi, to test the waters in brick-and-mortar retail.
The store’s success led to further expansion, and the brand has since entered
international markets, including Dubai. This diversification into offline and
global markets helped solidify their position as a growing footwear brand.
The Role Division at Bacca Bucci
At Bacca Bucci, Natwar Agrawal and Anuj Nevatia have
distinct roles that play to their strengths. Natwar oversees product
development and finance, while Anuj leads marketing and content creation.
They’ve also divided responsibilities when it comes to the management of their
website, ensuring that the front and back ends are handled efficiently.
Behind the Scenes: Bacca Bucci’s Operations
The company operates out of a large 25,000 sq ft warehouse
in East Delhi’s Ghazipur area. This facility supports their nationwide
distribution network, which includes fulfillment centers in various locations,
such as Haryana, Mumbai, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Hyderabad, and
Kolkata. This robust supply chain enables Bacca Bucci to meet the demands of
its growing customer base.
Personal Life of Natwar Agrawal
Natwar Agrawal married Kirti Gupta in 2017. Kirti is a
branch manager at Union Bank of India in Noida, and together they have a
three-year-old child. Natwar’s ability to balance both his personal and
professional life, despite the pressures of running a growing business, speaks
to his commitment and resilience.
The Bacca Bucci Pitch on Shark Tank India
On Shark Tank India, Natwar and Anuj pitched their business
for ₹2.5 crores in exchange for 1% equity, giving the show’s investors a
glimpse into their business model and product offerings. Bacca Bucci’s shoes
cater to the youth market with a range of products, including boots, sports
shoes, streetwear, and accessories. Despite the brand’s appeal, the sharks were
not convinced.
Feedback from the Sharks
Although the Bacca Bucci team was passionate about their
brand, the sharks were critical of certain aspects. Deepinder Goyal, founder of
Zomato, felt that the design language of the footwear was inconsistent and
lacked quality. Vineeta Singh, co-founder of SUGAR Cosmetics, praised the
quality but felt there were areas for improvement. Ultimately, the sharks
decided not to invest.
The Way Forward for Bacca Bucci
Despite not securing an investment from the sharks, Natwar
and Anuj are focused on expanding Bacca Bucci further. They plan to open more
offline stores and improve the overall branding and product design. Anupam
Mittal, founder of Shaadi.com, suggested that they focus on building a clear
brand identity and culture. The founders are committed to enhancing product
quality and expanding their market reach.
Final Thoughts: Resilience and Growth
Bacca Bucci’s journey is one of resilience and growth,
overcoming early challenges to carve a niche in the competitive footwear
industry. With strong leadership, a clear vision, and a commitment to customer
satisfaction, Natwar Agrawal and Anuj Nevatia are set to continue reshaping the
footwear landscape. Their ability to learn from mistakes, embrace new
opportunities, and stay true to their vision has been the driving force behind
their success.
A timeline for Natwar Agrawal’s journey from CA to footwear
entrepreneur:
1988 – Natwar Agrawal born in Sikar, Rajasthan.
2008 – Completes Class 12, moves to Delhi to pursue CA.
2011 – Clears CA entrance exam (CPT), begins entrepreneurial
journey.
2015 – Co-founds Bacca Bucci with Anuj Nevatia.
2015-2018 – Faces financial struggles, borrows from family,
and learns from early mistakes.
2019 – Launches Bacca Bucci’s own website for better
customer engagement.
2022 – Opens first offline store in Rohini, Delhi, and
begins international expansion to Dubai.
2023 – Appears on Shark Tank India; receives massive
exposure despite not securing investment.
2024 – Focuses on brand expansion, improving design, and
opening more stores.
