"Focusing too much on Plan B can steal the passion from your primary goal—success demands undivided belief and resilience."
1. Before stepping into Fos Lighting, what experiences shaped your perspective as an entrepreneur?
Being born into an entrepreneurial family, I was naturally exposed to the world of business. My grandfather’s ideas and vision left a lasting impact on me. However, it was my professional stint with Pfizer in California that truly shaped my approach. There, I gained hands-on experience in operations, product development, and strategic goal-setting—skills crucial for scaling a business. When I returned to India, I was determined to apply these learnings to our homegrown brand and elevate it into a global name.
2. What’s one mistake early in your career that turned into a valuable lesson?
Self-doubt. While it’s wise to have a contingency plan, focusing too much on Plan B can undermine your confidence in your primary goal. One of my proudest achievements was digitizing Fos Lighting—we became the first Indian lighting brand to offer online sales nationwide and globally. However, when we simultaneously opened multiple stores across metro cities, it stretched our resources thin and resulted in monetary losses. That experience taught me the importance of channeling efforts into core strategies rather than diversifying prematurely.
3. How do you stay ahead in an industry where design trends change so frequently?
We’ve always prioritized innovation and technological upgrades. Our designs are original, often inspired by India’s rich cultural heritage. We collaborate closely with artisans, ensuring that our products aren’t just trendy but timeless. Many of our fixtures illuminate homes for generations and become cherished family heirlooms. For instance, Fos Lighting introduced marble inlays and embroidered chandeliers to the market—both ranges have been incredibly well-received, showcasing the best of Indian craftsmanship.
4. What skills do you think are essential for students who want to build a design-driven business?
Creativity, innovation, and a strong sense of aesthetics. The key is to offer something unique and then integrate technology around it, rather than trying to fit into a purely functional framework.
5. Scaling a business globally is challenging. What mindset shifts were necessary to make it happen?
Self-belief and unwavering passion. Our drive has always been to elevate brand India and showcase Indian craftsmanship on the global stage. This vision continues to guide our journey.
6. If you had to give a TED Talk tomorrow, what would the topic be?
“Success Is Never Overnight.” While you might have a breakthrough product or service, scaling a business takes time, patience, and resilience. Today’s success stories often highlight "30 Under 30" achievers, making others feel like they’re falling behind. I’d like to reinforce the timeless adage: Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Bio:
Kunal Rohatgi, the younger director of Fos Lighting, is a dynamic entrepreneur dedicated to transforming the decorative lighting industry. An engineering graduate from the prestigious Ohio State University in California, he combines his engineering expertise and rich family legacy to propel Fos Lighting towards international success.
Before joining Fos Lighting, Kunal gained valuable experience working with renowned companies such as Toyota Motors and Pfizer. These roles honed his operational efficiency, quality management, and strategic planning skills, which he seamlessly integrated into the management of Fos Lighting.
Kunal is passionate about taking Fos Lighting to the global stage. His vision is to make Fos Lighting an internationally recognized brand known for its quality craftsmanship, innovative designs, and customer-centric approach. Kunals leadership is focused on expanding the companys reach by establishing a solid penetration in the Indian sub-continent and international markets.
Fos Lighting is a family legacy that began in 1951 with Kunals grandfather, who established the brand, Orient Lighting. His father further expanded the business, instilling a deep understanding of the industry in Kunal. Today, Kunal and his brother Siddharth Rohatgi are at the helm, driving the business forward with a shared vision of excellence and innovation.
He is committed to preserving the brands legacy while embracing modern trends and technologies. His approach blends tradition with innovation, ensuring Fos Lighting remains a market leader.
Interviewed by: Shantanu Singh
Edited by: Shantanu Singh
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