Business Heirs Leading Family Businesses With A New Incarnation

Amrish Kumar is a second-generation entrepreneur who has launched ‘Label Ritu Kumar’, a western wear brand that marked the beginning of their move into mainstream fashion in 2007. Today Label has more than 50+ stores across India. Amrish is also responsible for modernizing and expanding the legacy product line into two different brands for prêt and couture.

He has also launched Ritu Kumar Home in 2019 and also launched aarke by Ritu Kumar in 2021, a brand with Indian wear sensibilities that will bridge the gap between designer wear and accessible price points. He says “Two things drew me in; first on a very commercial level is the potential of being able to drive a business and brand of my own. When I came to the family business, back then there were only 12 stores. Secondly, there was always a connection with the artisanal nature of our business because it was around since I was very young. It has its character and name and is unlike any brand in the industry. This was the most subliminal kind of motivation.”

Amrish has taken on the role of CEO and drove the day-to-day operations across multiple functions including design, supply chain, E-commerce and operations after a successful fundraise from Everstone Capital in 2013.

Parag Desai, the Executive Director of Wagh Bakri Tea Group, is a fourth-generation entrepreneur. He says “I remember the first time when I was taught (professionally) the art of tasting tea. I was in my teens. The entire process was explained scientifically and then was exposed to the art of taste. That has stayed with me even today”, as he recalls his childhood days.

He is filled with ideas and has some aggressive plans as he never thought about any other career than to join the family business. Parag was excellent in studying consumer behaviour and forecast future demands. As he added, “Today, we have a wide range of Green Teas, Exotic Teas, Iced Teas, Instant Premixes like Cappuccino & Haldi Doodh, etc”.

Wagh Bakri Tea company has received an overwhelming response in their latest campaigns #SisterWaliChai & #DadWaliChai, as they were too relatable to the younger generation. Wagh Bakri Tea Lounge carries forward the legacy of 100 years old Wagh Bakri Tea Group in a modern avatar led by Parag Desai.