Combonation is an e-commerce platform of multi-brands that offers the best combo deals at unbelievably discounted prices. The online store curates the products across categories, such as Household, Personal Care, Baby Care, Beauty, Men’s Grooming, etc and offers it in combination deals at low prices which is unavailable at any other stores. Backed by the promoters of Coloressence, the e-commerce start-up is operated by experienced professionals with detailed skills in the retail industry. Hailed as the country’s only online ‘combo deal destination’, Combonation aims to open 50 offline stores in Delhi NCR in the coming months. Startup Reporter recently conducted an interview with Ms. Pooja Sodhi, Co-founder and CEO of Combonation.
How did you come up with the name and idea of your business?
We wanted to choose a name that captures the complete essence of what we do and who we are. We are the first and only combo deal platform in our country, which is what sets us apart from our competitors. Our name is a play on the word “combination” and that is what we offer to our customers. We also combine the interests of our clients and brand partners, particularly those of direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands. And that is how we became Combonation.
What gave you the motivation to launch your own company as an entrepreneur?
I have always wanted to break out of the crowd and do something that feels entirely my own. I did corporate work in the retail industry, which has always been a field that I am drawn to. I had chosen to become my own boss and carve my own niche in this sector, with the help of our co-founder Saurabh Nanda. Once I stepped foot into entrepreneurship, I could never let go of it, even when I took a brief gap. Being an entrepreneur is my passion, and I don’t see that craze going away anytime soon.
What challenges did you have to overcome at the beginning of your journey?
Retailing is a very challenging field to break into. Finding my own niche and setting myself apart from all the existing brands was a huge challenge. Initially, we were running online, so while there wasn’t much of a hassle for store space, we had to grow our network to make it run nationwide. After gaining traction in the online sphere, we took the plunge into offline stores. This resulted in a lot of restructuring in our organisation which we had to dedicate a lot of time to adjust to. The initial stages are always difficult for a new entrepreneur, and it is really difficult to find the motivation for the same. I was still determined to make this work, and all my hard work has paid off well.
What benefits do women’s employment and entrepreneurship have for all of India?
Entrepreneurship has always been perceived as a risky endeavour and not meant for everyone. Today’s generation has seen a surge in women’s empowerment, showing that we are making strides in the right direction. India can unleash the potential of its women and advance the overall development of the nation by enabling them to work. It also advocates for gender equality, dispelling outdated stereotypes and enabling women to assume leadership positions. This makes society more inclusive and serves as an example for later generations. By lowering poverty and uplifting communities, women’s employment and entrepreneurship also contribute to social well-being. India can advance in a sustainable and equitable way by utilising the potential of its women.
What advice would you give to women who want to start a business?
First off, I would like to congratulate them for taking this route. Being an entrepreneur is not easy, as I mentioned earlier. They must have faith in their abilities and in themselves. Confidence is the key to overcoming challenges. They should look for mentors and support systems that can offer them direction and assistance, too, I would add. It can be very helpful to learn from the experiences of others. Make sure to develop a strong business plan and thoroughly research your target market. Fourth, don’t be afraid to take chances and view failure as a teaching moment. As entrepreneurship can be demanding, create a strong support system on both a personal and professional level. Women can start their own successful businesses if they are passionate, persistent, and use a strategic approach.
Who has been your greatest inspiration?
I have many inspirations. I have seen many entrepreneurs create waves, and all of their journeys have been a major source of inspiration, especially in the retail industry. I have seen how Falguni Nayyar had started with Nykaa, and now it is a go-to for our generation’s fashion needs. I have also heard the stories of how Azim Premji had transformed his father’s cooking oil business into one of India’s pioneer IT companies. There is no shortage of inspiration around me, I have seen many entrepreneurs and enterprises thrive and I learn from them all.
To whom do you attribute your success to?
There have been many people and many forces that have helped me reach where I am today. Everything I am and everything I own, I owe it all to them. My family has always supported me in every decision I made, whether it was my choice of subject, my professional life, or my entrepreneurial journey. My teachers and professors have helped enhance my education and my understanding of the industry. I have worked with many retailers and retail giants during my corporate stint, and all of them have helped me grow as a person and as a professional in the industry. Saurabh Nanda, our co-founder, has also played an important role in both our organisation’s and my success. The milestones I have achieved have all been thanks to an incredible support system and network I have developed over the years.
What gap in the industry were you trying to fill when you thought of starting Combonation?
When I came up with the idea of Combonation, I wanted to make something for everyone. I had decided on the combo deal retail approach because I know how much our Indian consumer base loves the idea of discounts and good deals. I also wanted to break into the beauty products sector, which already has many competitors. One gap I had noticed in the beauty market was the pricing. A lot of these products are costly and unaffordable at an individual level. I wanted to make beauty affordable to all and with our strategy of combo deals, consumers would be able to purchase multiple products at affordable prices, while many D2C brands would also get the right traction with the consumer base.
