What happens when Joe Rogan talks about your product… without being paid? In this episode of BarberShop Specials, Shantanu Deshpande sits down with Kent Yoshimura (Co-founder & CEO, Neuro) to break down how Neuro scaled from a niche idea to a global brand. Kent shares how a product built out of personal need turned into a business doing millions in revenue, and how one unexpected moment changed everything. From organic mentions by the world’s biggest podcast to building a powerful creator network, this episode uncovers how modern brands are actually built. The conversation also explores why creating a new category is harder than scaling an existing one, and how taste, pricing, and perception can make or break a product. What you’ll discover: 1. How Neuro went from $3M to $180M+ after key organic exposure 2. Why unpaid endorsements outperform traditional influencer marketing 3. The real challenge of building a new category (and why customers resist) 4. How TikTok compresses the entire purchase funnel into seconds 5. The creator flywheel that drives consistent brand growth Tune in for a no-filter conversation on distribution, psychology, and what it really takes to build a consumer brand today. Navigate your way through these chapters 00:00 Coming Up 00:56 Introduction 01:49 Neurogum Origin Story 05:22 Why the US Favours Multi-Careers 06:50 Entering A Crowded Market 08:36 US vs India Retail Game 14:47 Red Bull Wins With One SKU 19:05 $20K In 3 Days Trust 24:06 Joe Rogan Effect On Growth 28:42 Katy Perry Organic Push Moment 31:07 TikTok Drives Cross-Selling 36:03 TikTok Share In US Retail 37:47 AI Playbook Behind Neurogum 38:55 Creators vs Ads Reality 47:09 Coca Cola Playbook For Markets 54:36 What Entrepreneurship Really Feels 59:49 Closing Thoughts Shop for these on: Website - https://bit.ly/4sVSWpr Blinkit - https://link.blinkit.com/b/3y9itsvl Zepto - https://www.zepto.com/DeepLink?id=29d9a6d6-9805-4d95-b427-28c0974099d4&title=Neurogum

In this episode, Gaurang Marvania (Founder, Little Rituals) joins Shantanu Deshpande (Founder & CEO, Bombay Shaving Company), along with Arjun Purkayastha (SVP & Managing Director - Greater China & North Asia, Reckitt), for a sharp conversation on building a premium baby-care brand focused on safe formulations and long-term trust with parents.

Little Rituals started with just ₹50L and 3 baby oils and has now grown to a ₹23 Cr brand with a breakout sunscreen that did ₹12 Cr in revenue.

Problems we solve in this episode:

• Can a premium baby-care brand scale in India?

• Should Little Rituals expand its product range?

If you're building a D2C brand, consumer startup, or premium consumer product, this episode offers a practical look at the strategic decisions founders face while scaling a brand.

Chapters:

00:00 Coming Up

01:22 Introduction

2:32 The Origin Story of Little Rituals

05:05 Growth Journey, Channels & Key Business Insights

07:07 How strong marketing drives brand growth

11:35 How can a brand build trust?

23:13 How to Influence Consumers to Buy

26:26 At ₹40 Cr, what should you focus on?

37:28 Dark Store Selection, SKU Launch & Working Capital Planning

45:00 When and Why to Raise Funding

51:57 Key Expert Insights for Brand Growth

54:08 Closing Thoughts

Not every child needs to grow up to be Elon Musk. And maybe that’s okay.

In this episode, Shantanu Deshpande and Harpreet Singh Grover (Founder of The Curious Parent) discuss the myth of pushing kids to become high achievers like billionaires and the overwhelming pressure children face in today's education system. Harpreet shares his views on the competitive culture in India, and how it often leads children to pursue careers they aren’t passionate about.

They together explore how today's digital age affects children’s mental health and why parents need to rethink their approach to screens and emotional regulation. The conversation takes a deep dive into the psychological effects of modern parenting, where devices often become a tool for pacification rather than genuine connection.

What you’ll discover:

1. The hidden dangers of using screens as a parenting tool

2. Why students don’t need perfect grades to succeed in life

3. How the education system has shifted since the Industrial Revolution

4. The growing role of values in choosing the right school for your child

5. The truth behind Kota’s appeal and the role of parental pressure

Tune in and navigate the intricacies of parenting and schooling, offering real-world advice on making better educational choices for your child in today’s world.

Navigate your way through these chapters:

00:00 Coming Up

01:16 Introduction

03:17 Why Rote Learning Still Works

05:37 How ‘The Curious Parents’ Can Help Choose Schools Based on Family Values

10:21 How New Boards & Exams Are Shaping Learning Today

15:20 The Truth About Kota & Parental Pressure

24:30 Is Education Pressure Stealing Kids’ Childhood?

28:58 Why Playtime is Crucial for Child Development

37:01 How Digital Distractions are Affecting Kids’ Emotions

40:22 The Hidden Dangers of Using Screens as Parenting Tools

44:53 Closing Thoughts