Q: Thank you for joining us, Radhika. Let’s start with your journey. What inspired you to start ShopClues?
Radhika Ghai Aggarwal: Thank you for having me! The idea of ShopClues came in 2011 when e-commerce in India was still in its early stages. While platforms like Flipkart and Amazon were focusing on branded products and metro cities, I saw a gap in the market for unstructured categories—small businesses, local merchants, and budget-friendly products. My goal was to bring the Indian bazaar experience online, making e-commerce accessible to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
Q: Starting an e-commerce platform is no small task. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced?
Radhika Ghai Aggarwal: Absolutely! Some of our biggest challenges included:
- Convincing small sellers – Many sellers in India were unfamiliar with e-commerce, so we had to educate and onboard them.
- Logistics and payments – Unlike today, online payments and delivery networks weren’t as strong in 2011. We had to create efficient solutions to support cash-on-delivery and last-mile delivery.
- Competition – Entering a market with global players like Amazon was daunting, but we focused on differentiation-affordability, local merchants, and a value-for-money approach.
Q: ShopClues became a unicorn in 2016. What do you think contributed to its success?
Radhika Ghai Aggarwal: A few key factors:
- Focus on Bharat: We catered to customers in smaller towns, where affordable and unbranded products had high demand.
- Empowering Sellers: By providing a simple and low-cost platform, we enabled thousands of small businesses to sell online.
- Tech-Driven Operations: We built an efficient supply chain and digital solutions that helped merchants and customers connect seamlessly.
- Resilience: Every startup faces ups and downs. We kept innovating and adapting to market changes.
Q: You were one of the first female entrepreneurs in India’s e-commerce space. Did you face any challenges as a woman in business?
Radhika Ghai Aggarwal: Yes, there were challenges. Fundraising was especially tough—many investors initially directed questions to my male co-founders rather than me. However, I didn’t let stereotypes define me. I focused on results and let my work speak. Now, I actively mentor women entrepreneurs to ensure they have the confidence to break barriers and lead with conviction.
Q: After exiting ShopClues, what’s next for you?
Radhika Ghai Aggarwal: I’ve been investing in and mentoring startups, and in 2021, I launched Kindlife, a curated marketplace for sustainable and wellness products. The shift towards clean beauty, conscious living, and sustainability excites me, and I see it as the future of e-commerce.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
Radhika Ghai Aggarwal:
- Solve a real problem. Don’t build a business just for the sake of it.
- Be customer-first. Understand your audience and their pain points deeply.
- Embrace failure. Entrepreneurship is a journey of learning—don’t be afraid of setbacks.
- Build the right team. Your co-founders and employees will define your company’s success. Choose wisely!
