← Living Your Legacy
Living Your Legacy
NVDC Beauty Founder: Empowering Authenticity While Being Kind to the Planet
00:20:49
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- [00:00]
A
All businesses, I think focuses on earning profits. But for me, earning profit is a secondary option. Success will come. It's the hard work, it's the message, what you're conveying to the community and what impact you're making. That is what is legacy all about. And that's what I'm trying to build.
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Deepaneta Chatterjee is a trailblazing entrepreneur, artist.
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And mentor who blends creativity with purpose driven business. She built sustainable brands like NVDC Lifestyle, NVDC Beauty and Leaf and Brew while mentoring over 300 startups worldwide. I do feel that every individual might have a dream and they curb that dream because sometimes they don't get the support, they're not motivated, they don't push their self. But when they see certain videos, they might feel that spark. But again, they give up. So they need that one little bit of push. And I am that push.
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What makes you do that? What gives you the drive? What would you say to someone that's looking for that drive?
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A
So everything I did was.
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It spans the globe like a super high cold Internet Elvis. Brandon, I have agreed today Apple is going to reinvent the phone.
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A
It's not over until I win.
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The Living youg Legacy podcast for those who live to leave a legacy.
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A
Oh, that is sensational.
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Jordan, open Chicago with the lead.
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You said Paul is the fastest man on the planet.
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B
You can live your dream. Hello and welcome back to another episode of Legacy Makers here with Definite Today. And she is, let me tell you, a beauty home lifestyle guru. Top brands, one of the biggest brands that's winning a bunch of awards in Canada. And it's really unique brand because it's focused on a unique quality. Right? So vegan, organic, natural, sustainable. And you rarely see brands combining all those amazing things. So excited to dive into this kind of luxury home, fashion, beauty empire that we have here today. Welcome.
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A
Thank you, Rudy.
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B
So you're up to a lot, you're doing a lot, winning awards, you're in Forbes, all these great things and you're really building this kind of global brand, right, where it's focused not just on one thing, but multiple massive industries. Beauty, home, lifestyle. What's the story behind it all?
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A
Well, I'm an artist. I started building my contemporary artwork which resonates more with the environment and, you know, things, problems, what's happening around the world. So for me, building a message through my artwork was the prime focus. While I was building artwork, that is when a seed of, you know, idea came into my mind that why not put this artwork into some kind of products which can actually be eco friendly, sustainable, but also conveying a message to the world which can create an impact and make this world a better place. Because now we see lots of things happening around the world, lot of personal agenda of whoever. So we as a human being, we have certain kind of responsibility when it comes to protecting our mother nature land, human being as well as animals. So this actually diverted me to start my own brand and cater to the needs.
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B
Well, it's interesting because you know, you see some brands out there that are maybe organic, right? Or maybe sustainable, but you've really gone, you know, it seems above and beyond to get all the great things into a brand and that's hard to do because I know, you know, I have my own E commerce product lines with celebrities and different brands and everything that you want to do increases the cost, right? Oh, you want it all vegan Increases the cost. Oh, you want it organic too? Increases the cost, right? All sustainable. Increases the cost. So and it's hard because before you know it, you know, oh, you want nice bottles and come in a nice box. Increases the cost. Before you know it you, you know your base margin or cost is more than most people, you know, two, three times more than the cheap products out there. So, so what really got you focused on like saying I want to make a premium luxury product and I'm not.
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A
Going to cut corners all businesses I think focuses on earning profits. But for me earning profit is a secondary option because for me providing a great product which can actually resonate and create an impact in your daily life is more peaceful and satisfying than turning and charging them three times higher profit. Profit will come eventually when my brand will be scaling, standing out and people will know more about it. So I'm not worried about about it. Success will come. It's the hard work, it's the message, what you're conveying to the community and what impact you're making. That is what is legacy all about. And that's what I'm trying to build.
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B
Well, and it's great because you know, you're starting to see a bit of the success. You're winning the awards and getting featured and obviously expanding. But how do you see this brand growing over the next 10 years? What's the vision for him?
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A
Absolutely, I'm confident because the vision, what I have will definitely take me places. Like I have a vision of building an NBDC tower which will cater to all kind of eco friendly products of different areas like human pets, coffee, daily life and so forth. And of course beauty And I know it will happen because I'm confident everything will work out for me.
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B
And in 10 years you see it worldwide, in retail, more online. How do you see the brand rolling out?
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A
At the moment I'm focusing more on E commerce because I don't want to stock something like inventory wise because I don't have enough investment. Everything I'm doing, I'm doing on my own. I'm building my own things like starting from website designing, logo designing, marketing, analyzing, creating all kind of things. Everything is done by me currently. So I think to get into that break even point will come eventually. But yeah, I'm just building currently and I know it will happen for sure.
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B
And what about, you know, next question. What, what about like the top product lines? Right. Every brand has like a couple of signature products. If people are listening, can you tell us what you know, what are the top sellers or products you love the most?
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A
I have quite a few top sellers but to highlight few things which are like 100% organic, vegan and cruelty free, which is my message, strong message. It's my eyelashes. Do it yourself. We end up spending a lot of money in, you know, expensive salons by putting those eyelashes. So I have come up with a very, very unique thing which is like a quick and easy one with a natural ingredient product that is one of my best sellers. I have a lot of skin repair and skin textured product like face mask and serums and skin repair peptide balms infused with natural ingredient scent free which means that it is chemical free. Right. These are my top sellers. Apart from the beauty, I do have lifestyle which are like clothing and shoes. I have pottery, I have my artwork which is again depicting lot of natural raw material rather than just picking up stuff like plastic and all this stuff.
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B
Tell us the backstory. So what were you doing before this? How did you get into this?
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So it all started when I started doing my artwork. We did have a business like my husband had a business which was related to athlete catering to athletes. Blood, sweat and supplement was the business name. We were doing a lot of like supplements, gym supplements, keto and all those kind of products. However, during COVID you know, the gyms were closed and it all started going haywire. We didn't want it to keep going with the cost basically so we moved everything to online E commerce. Now that we have started E commerce it gave me an idea that hey, it's an easy thing because you're not really stalking, you don't have overhead cost, you're not paying the rent, you're not paying your employees because we had like 10 employees and we had to pay even though during COVID the gyms were closed. So I got that idea. I did lot of research, lot of like watching videos podcast. Yours were quite a few which I watched and it gave me certain kind of inspiration that hey, why not even I can do it? Because I come from marketing and business background in the sense I have done my higher education MBA in marketing, strategic relationship marketing to how to retain customers and how to grow business as well as small business entrepreneurship. And I have been into customer service for like yesterday years, like since when I started working. So it had been kind of a skill set for me and I felt that yes, I can do it. I'm determined, I will not give up. So during my maternity leave I was scrolling all through the videos and few of the videos stood out for me where the women and even you to matter of fact, you were talking about a lot of things you can do on your own and start your own line. You start your business. I'm like, okay, so I think I should start. And I was already doing a lot of global exhibition of my artwork. I am globally recognized artist, so that's how I started.
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B
Yeah, I love that story. Yeah, yeah. And then let me ask you more about, you know, that's the product side, but what about the impact and legacy side? Right? What does legacy mean to you?
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A
I do a lot of workshops, free workshops. I don't charge because I feel that knowledge is something which you can, which you will take with yourself. Right. It's never ending. Nobody is perfect. Nobody can be like, hey, you know, I know everything. It's not that you keep learning because the world is evolving every day and new things keep coming up. If you're not keeping that pace, you will be ending up in failing most of the time. And I think if I have those knowledge, if I have the skill set, whoever is starting new, they should know that as well. So I do lot of artwork training, free workshop for people who wants to start their entrepreneurship journey. They have an idea, but they are scared. They don't have funds. But there is a way, even if you don't have funds. There is a way. Because I have my sleepless night, I do nine to five job. But when I come back home, I make sure that I'm taking care of my family. I have two children and when they're sleeping after nine, that's where I start my business work. So every night till 2 o' clock, I'm actually working. So it's It's. And hard work definitely pays off for sure.
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B
Yeah. Well, let's talk about that a little. Most people don't want to do that. Right. They want to start a business. They want to, you know, earn money, but they want to watch Netflix at night. So. So what. What pushes you through and keeps you consistent to do that? Because, yeah, I love that about entrepreneurship. Right. Like, as I look, I think I love and admire more the entrepreneurs like you that are also working still and have kids. Right. I don't. I. Yeah, I just have my business, so it's easier, much easier for me. Right. So. So, you know, let's talk about that. What. What makes you do that? What gives you the drive? What would you say to someone that's looking for that drive?
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A
Well, if you're watching Netflix, you're watching, so might as well watch something which is useful for you. You're learning something, right? You're just scrolling and seeing lots of videos. Yes. Sometimes it depends what. Whom you're following. Right. You're just not following random people. You're following to educate yourself, to upskill yourself. So I think watching Netflix and turning that time into something productive is very, very important if you want to build something for yourself. Right. I don't want to be. I mean, I respect the working, the moms who are not working, but at home. But I do feel that every individual might have a dream and they curb that dream, because sometimes they don't get the support. They're not motivated, they don't push their self. But when they see certain videos, they might feel that spark. But again, they give up. So they need that one little bit of push. And I am that push.
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B
Okay, I like that.
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A
Yeah.
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B
But what about the second part of that? People do it. I think some people do it for a little bit. They dabble and then they quit when they don't get results quickly. Right. And I'm sure some nights you've wanted to go like, oh, screw, you know, like, screw this. I'm just going to bed. Right? Because it's not easy to fail. Fail, fail, fail, fail. And then after years, you finally get successful.
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A
You know, I. I can relate to that. Because that is when you fail. If you don't get up, if you keep failing, and that is when you're like, okay, this is not my cup of tea. Actually, you're failing yourself because you have put all those hard work and now the time might turn and you're giving up. So I think that's where you have to take that stand and say that hey, you know, I'm not giving up because I have put my sleepless nights so much of hard work, so much of learning, training, focus, determination, let's give it little bit more push. And that's where you win. But if you fail yourself in that, it's a very thin line. I feel you fail. You fail.
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B
Yeah, we were just, you know, before we recorded this, we were talking about that I do a lot of sport, right? And in marathon running, it's very famous that the worst is the last few miles. Right. And then I always say running's a great analogy of business because it's fine when you start running the first mile or two, it's. It's the last few miles where every second your brain is saying, oh, just quit. Just walk, just walk. Just walk for a minute, you know, just walk for a minute. Because your legs are dirt, you're fatigued, your brain's fatigued. And I think business is kind of the same. It's. It's fun when you start, you make your logo, your website, you pick your products. It's great, right?
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A
Yeah.
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But then, you know, it's the months later when it's not selling, you can't figure it out, and the website breaks, and that's the bit that sucks. And you have to push through that to get to the other side.
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A
Yes. I think not giving up is the key to success and believing that you can do it. It's all in the mind, I feel, because you have to keep playing your mind, that, hey, you know, you can do it. This is easy. You have done it. You know, this is just a piece of cake. Coming back to your athletic thing. I was an athlete myself when I was back in school, so I can relate to that, that, you know, when your body is just giving up, hey, you know, but this is that one. You can see that the line is just in front of me. Just little bit push, don't give up, little bit of push. I think that's the mentality we should have when we are actually in our life journey, because there will be a lot of obstacles, lot of struggles, but you have to be focused. You should be determined. You should know that, hey, you can achieve that. And that's the power of self belief.
- [16:34]
B
Yeah, the belief, power, belief. Yeah. Yes. Yeah. I mean, I think there's a famous saying that you can never truly fail or lose if you just don't quit, you know, because. And I believe that, like, I've seen people in business, friends of mine, that they're not the smartest. Right. And, but they just keep going, right? And I've seen very smart people that they do a little, then they pause and they pivot, do something different and they just don't ever become successful because they just zigzag and pause and quit. And whereas someone that just keeps going and going and going, eventually they figure it out, you know. So last couple of questions. What does a legacy mean to you? For everyone listening and how do they start building their own legacy?
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A
Well, plan your action, you know, create your vision. See where you want to go, whom you want to help, whom you want to take along in that journey. Not just yourself and family, but a set of people which you have identified. Like for me it's women, you know, who are struggling, moms who want, who has their dream and passion and they just want to start, they need that support, that push. So I think that's what can take you to the next step where you can build your legacy. And of course giving back to the society community is very important. As an entrepreneur, it is our responsibility to actually build a better place by just not saying that, hey, I am an eco friendly brand, I am sustainable, but I am not doing it myself. It's like, practice what you preach for me, highly. So I think as an entrepreneur, that's a responsibility as well. What we are doing for the community.
- [18:20]
B
No, I love that. And last question, really. If someone's listening, they're going to watch the main episode. They've listened to this. They're inspired by, you know, your work effort, your great products, the impactful products, maybe tease them. What's one thing they're going to learn about you or something they've not heard yet in your main episode.
- [18:39]
A
I don't give up. That's the key focus of mine, the story of consistency. Yes, consistent. I am very, very powerful in my brain because even though I struggle a lot, I didn't have, you know, background of. I do come from a rich family, but I never took that support, I never took any money. So everything I did was on my own. I in fact funded my own studies here. I left everything back in India and funded everything and started my business with small investment money. So don't give up. That's the attitude you should have. Be positive and believe in the process. Trust in the Almighty because if it's happening, it's happening for a reason. And there absolutely has to be something positive outcome.
- [19:36]
B
You don't know why just yet, but one day you will, you know.
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Absolutely, absolutely. I totally, totally believe in it.
- [19:42]
B
Yeah. Good, good. Cool. And last, last question. If they want to check out the product line, you know Instagram social media website, can you just share where they can go to see it?
- [19:51]
A
Yeah, it's my website which is www.nvdcbeauty.com or you can go to www.nvdc lifestyle.ca. my insta my TikTok Facebook handle which be the which will be the same name which is NVDC Beauty or NVDC Lifestyle. And my personal handle is Dipschat which is D I P S C H A T or Deepanita Chatterjee.
- [20:20]
B
Great. And we'll throw that in the show notes. That was a really awesome story about hearing the products but really love the consistency side and how you got into it and the mindset because I think so many people need to hear that and it's gonna be so beneficial. So excited for your episode guys. That's a wrap. Keep working hard, build a legacy and I'll see you guys soon. Take care.