In a candid chat with Khyati Rajvanshi, on Magical Memories presented by Club Mahindra in association with The Indian Express, Viraj Bahl, Founder and MD, VRB Consumer Products Pvt Ltd. (Veeba and WokTok) reflects on his journey from modest roots to becoming a Shark on Shark Tank India, sharing how both boardrooms and birthdays have shaped his life as an entrepreneur, father, and husband.
Roots, Resilience, and the Rise of Veeba
Born and raised in Delhi, Viraj grew up in a middle-class home where joy outweighed material wealth. He fondly recalls trips to Shimla and a humble blue toaster as symbols of a happy, simple childhood. “We never travelled abroad, but we had everything that made a childhood beautiful,” he says. Watching his parents build their food business taught him how hard work could change both fortunes and mindsets.
Viraj’s entrepreneurial spirit wasn’t born out of a grand epiphany, but from witnessing his mother’s diligence at work. “She used to make lists every morning; I learned planning, persistence, and discipline just by watching her,” he reflects. In many ways, Veeba – named in honour of his mother – became his tribute to those formative years.
Rewriting the Rules with Vision and Leadership
In a market crowded with ketchup and mayonnaise, Viraj Bahl saw an opportunity: why not bring global flavours like Southwest, mint mayonnaise, and tandoori spreads to Indian kitchens? That simple insight sparked a revolution in the Indian condiment space. Today, Veeba stands as one of the country’s leading FMCG brands, with innovations that, in Viraj’s own words, “sometimes outshine even global players.”
Though now a celebrated Shark, Bahl remains grounded by past experiences. “I shut down a business before Veeba, and I worked just as hard back then,” he shares. “So if hard work alone guaranteed success, that company should have made it too.” These lessons shaped his leadership style – today, he proudly builds teams where “every Head of Department is better than me at their job. If they weren’t, I’d be failing as a leader.”
Home, Heart, and Holidays
Despite wearing many hats – CEO, investor, public figure – Viraj Bahl stays grounded through family. He’s home by 7:30, shares dinner and playtime with his kids, and unwinds with his wife, Ridhima. “She doesn’t work at Veeba, but without her, it wouldn’t be what it is,” he says. Holidays, once rare, are now treasured – whether cheering his son at Yale or reliving magic at the Harry Potter Studios.
His ideal vacations are slow and family-focused – UNO games, garden strolls, and quiet dinners. Even store visits turn memorable, with his kids now “more sauce-savvy than some professionals.” A proud moment came in the U.S. when he thought, “Veeba felt more innovative” than what he saw on the shelves.
Blending Ambition with Intention
As the conversation winds down, Viraj offers advice to budding entrepreneurs: “Don’t take too much stress. It all works out. Make time for your loved ones. Attend your kid’s school events. Unwind. Take that holiday.” It’s a sentiment he lives by – 90% hustle, 10% heart, and it’s the quiet moments in between that fuel the next big breakthrough.
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Whether he’s creating a new sauce or guiding a startup dream on Shark Tank, Viraj Bahl’s journey is seasoned with sincerity, family roots, and a deep sense of gratitude. Because for him, every flavour, every memory, and every mile matters.
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