Scaling a Fashion Brand Profitably: Finding PMF & Making Data-Driven Decisions

Scaling a Fashion Brand Profitably: Finding PMF & Making Data-Driven Decisions

Author: The BarberShop with Shantanu March 5, 2026 Duration: 45:13

This episode explores the realities of building a modern apparel brand from zero.

Sanya and Adit, founders of Cove & Lane, are building a modern, quiet luxury clothing brand for ambitious professionals. Timeless pieces designed for people moving from boardrooms to social evenings.

They join experts, Shantanu Deshpande (Founder & CEO, Bombay Shaving Company), along with industry leaders Shiv Shivakumar (Operating Partner, Advent | Ex-SVP, Nokia | Ex-CEO (India), PepsiCo) and Toshan Tamhane (Ex-McKinsey Senior Partner | Global Chief Operating Officer, UPL) for a sharp conversation on what it really takes to build a consumer brand.

From repeat purchases and referrals to customer psychology and status signalling, the panel breaks down how founders can identify what is actually working.

They also unpack a critical founder dilemma:

Should early startups prioritise growth or profitability?

Problems we solve in this episode:

• How do you measure product-market fit in a D2C fashion brand?

• How should founders use data when the sample size is small?

• When scaling a startup, how do you balance growth and profitability?

If you're building a D2C brand, consumer startup, or fashion business, this conversation will sharpen how you think about scaling.

Navigate through the chapters and watch till the end


Step into a space where business talk feels less like a lecture and more like a conversation happening in the back of a classic barbershop. The BarberShop with Shantanu is built on that exact feeling-a place for honest, meandering, and deeply insightful dialogues about the real journey of building something. Host Shantanu, who founded Bombay Shaving Company and Bombae, doesn't just interview guests; he engages in a form of mutual mentorship, drawing on his own experiences to unpack the stories, struggles, and small victories that define entrepreneurship. Each episode feels like a candid exchange, stripping away the polished veneer often found in business media to explore how ideas actually take root and flourish. You'll hear from a variety of voices navigating their own hustles, with conversations that naturally touch on strategy, personal growth, and the often-overlooked human elements behind the brands. This podcast thrives on the free flow of genuine perspective, offering listeners not just lessons, but a sense of camaraderie. It’s a platform dedicated to growth, framed through storytelling that’s as much about the missteps as the milestones. Tune in for a regular dose of reflection and practical wisdom, all shared with the ease of a good chat.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The BarberShop with Shantanu
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