Biography of Sahil Jain: Founder and CEO of Sneakinn -Entrepreneur
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Journey of Sneakinn: India’s Luxury Sneaker and Bag Care Startup
Sahil Jain, a sneaker enthusiast, had always loved
collecting premium sneakers. However, an unfortunate incident made him realize
a major gap in the Indian market. After giving a pair of sneakers for cleaning
at a regular dry cleaner, he found them ruined by improper shoe polish.
Frustrated with the lack of professional sneaker care services, Sahil saw an
opportunity to create a specialized service catering to luxury shoes and bags.
A Shared Vision with Arunima
Sahil and his longtime partner, Arunima Jain, had known each
other since school and always envisioned starting a business together. While
Sahil studied at The University of Manchester, Arunima pursued fashion design
at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Delhi. Their combined
passion and expertise in fashion and business made them the perfect team to
launch Sneakinn in 2020.
Starting Small with a Big Dream
In the early days, Sneakinn operated out of an empty room on
Sahil’s terrace. The duo lacked technical know-how but were determined to make
their vision a reality. They spent hours researching sneaker restoration
techniques on YouTube and soon realized that luxury shoe and bag cleaning
required a completely different approach compared to traditional dry cleaning.
Building a Skilled Team
Understanding that expertise was key, Sahil and Arunima
hired a professional from the dry-cleaning industry and trained him in
specialized cleaning techniques. Arunima took a one-month leave from her job to
set up the business, but as Sneakinn started gaining traction, she never went
back to her previous role.
Smart Marketing on Social Media
With limited funds but a sharp marketing strategy, Sneakinn
leveraged Instagram to reach potential customers. They introduced a ‘Buy One,
Get One’ offer and encouraged satisfied customers to share their experiences on
social media. Personalized notes with each order helped them build trust,
leading to strong word-of-mouth marketing.
Overcoming Initial Challenges
One of the biggest challenges was training workers to handle
luxury items properly. Most employees they hired were unaware of the delicacy
required to restore premium products. Through continuous learning and hands-on
experience, the team gradually mastered the art of cleaning, repairing, and
restoring high-end sneakers and bags.
Expansion and Customer Success Stories
As the brand grew, Sneakinn took on unique repair requests.
They restored a woman’s expensive handbag damaged by burning coal and even
fixed a sneaker that had been chewed by a customer’s dog. Their attention to
detail and quality service quickly earned them a loyal customer base.
Biography of Sahil Jain: Founder and CEO of Sneakinn -Entrepreneur# startup#age#net worth#investor#shark tank india#Sneakinn story#Sahil Jain story
Scaling Operations with Physical Stores
From operating out of a single workshop, Sneakinn expanded
to three storefronts in Delhi and Mumbai. Additionally, they introduced courier
services, allowing customers from across India to send in their luxury shoes
and bags for professional care. The company now aims to establish stores in
every major city.
Diverse Revenue Streams
Sneakinn’s business model includes multiple revenue streams.
Cleaning services contribute 40% of the earnings, coloring accounts for 20%,
while retail, shipping, and product sales make up smaller portions. Their
customer base relies heavily on pickups, contributing 80% of the sales, while
in-store visits account for 15%.
Rapid Financial Growth
Starting with revenues of just ₹19.8 lakh in 2020-21,
Sneakinn scaled up quickly. The following year, their revenue reached ₹1.5
crore, then ₹3.8 crore, and ₹5.9 crore in 2024. By November of that year, the
company had already generated ₹4.6 crore and was on track to achieve ₹7.3 crore
in annual revenue.
Shark Tank India: A Game-Changer
In 2024, Sahil and Arunima pitched Sneakinn on Shark Tank
India Season 4, seeking ₹90 lakh for 3% equity, valuing the company at ₹30
crore. The sharks recognized the potential in the luxury goods servicing space,
leading to intense negotiations among investors.
Sharks' Heated Negotiations
The panel, including Anupam Mittal, Vineeta Singh, Ritesh
Agarwal, Kunal Bahl, and Namita Thapar, debated over valuation and investment
terms. Anupam and Vineeta offered ₹90 lakh for 10% equity with a 1% royalty,
which sparked criticism from other sharks. Meanwhile, Ritesh proposed a hybrid
deal of equity and debt.
Final Investment and the Road Ahead
After an intense negotiation, the founders secured ₹90 lakh
for 6.5% equity, marking a crucial milestone for Sneakinn. With this funding,
they plan to expand their physical presence and enhance their operations to
cater to an even larger customer base.
A Bright Future for Sneakinn
From a small room to a thriving business, Sahil and
Arunima’s journey exemplifies passion, perseverance, and strategic growth. With
a strong brand, an expanding customer base, and investor backing, Sneakinn is
set to redefine luxury sneaker and bag care services in India.
Timeline for story
2020 – Sahil and Arunima founded Sneakinn.
2020 – Started operations from Sahil’s terrace room.
2020 – Introduced social media marketing and ‘Buy One, Get
One’ offer.
2021 – Hired a professional and trained him in luxury
cleaning.
2021 – Revenue reached ₹1.5 crore.
2022 – Expanded services and revenue grew to ₹3.8 crore.
2023 – Opened physical stores in Delhi and Mumbai.
2024 – Revenue hit ₹5.9 crore by November.
2024 – Pitched on Shark Tank India Season 4.
2024 – Secured ₹90 lakh for 6.5% equity from the sharks.
2025 – Plans to expand stores across major cities.
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