Bala Sarda has given a new twist to his over 85-year-old family business of tea. The Founder and CEO of Vahdam India started a new tea brand Vahdam Teas In New Delhi in 2015 to shake up the supply chain in the country and provide consumers the best types of tea.

Mr Sarda comes with a lineage of over 85 years in tea. His family was more into bulk tea trading and exports. The family business never owned any tea gardens, and different types of tea were bought through auctions. Mr Sarda and Vahdam have built on that legacy and launched the new brand Vahdam, which has become quite successful in the past few years.

The 23-year-old entrepreneur began procuring tea directly from farmers within days of harvest. Vahdam Teas packaged the brew garden fresh at its globally-certified facilities in India and shipped them directly to their customers in various parts of the world. After the success of Vahdam Teas, Mr Sarda has now forayed into superfoods. Vahdam India has emerged as an award-winning, global-wellness brand, shipping India’s finest teas and superfoods to consumers across the world under the Vahdam brand. Vahdam is the reverse anagram of his father’s first name, Madhav, reveals Mr Sarda, who has been greatly inspired by his father.

Mr Sarda completed his graduation in business studies from the prestigious Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies of Delhi University. At the college, young Bala was the founding member of YUVA, an entrepreneurship cell. He was also the lead coordinator and Organiser of TedX DU. He was also a key speaker at the Harvard India Conference in 2018. A dynamic businessman, Mr Sarda has won many reputed awards and recognition in a very short span of time.

Under his guidance and leadership, Vahdam is now one of India’s largest homegrown premium tea and superfoods brands and one of India’s fastest-growing consumer brands. Vahdam’s products have so far been shipped to consumers in over 130 countries.

In an enlightening interview with Sharmila Chand, Mr Sarda shares his management ideas and principles that have helped him progress in his business over the years.

Do you play any game which helps you in your career?

Yes, Golf. I picked up gold during the COVID lockdown and have been hooked since then. It teaches me to learn to accept the uncontrollable, focus and concentrate and most importantly, to have patience.

Would you share with us the turning point in your life related to your career?

There was no one specific turning point in my life. My early experiences have gradually shaped my career in entrepreneurship at every point. I had the entrepreneurial bug with me right from my childhood.

What is the secret of your success?

Setting out a clear vision and working towards achieving that have helped me make considerable progress in my business. Besides, focusing on differentiating the brand and making available an exceptional product have made all the difference for my business. Giving importance to customers’ experiences is perhaps the factor that distinguishes us from the rest in the market.

What is your philosophy of work?

Maintain consistency and have perseverance. Keep doing the right thing, day after day. It will eventually work out. Prioritistion, effective time management and delegation of responsibilities have been my personal hack for managing time better and maintaining a work-life balance.

Is there any particular person you admire who has inspired you?

My father has been my biggest source of inspiration. In fact, Vahdam is the reverse anagram of my father’s first name, Madhav. I’ve also always deeply admired Jeff Bezos (Amazon) and Elon Musk (Tesla).

What is the best advice that you have got?

Believe in your product, idea, vision and yourself.

What would you consider your sounding board?

Our customers and mentors

Would you list some of your favourite books?

Some of my most favourite books are:

Shoe Dog: A Memoir By The Creator Of NIKE – Phil Knight

The CEO Factory: Management Lessons From Hindustan Unilever – Sudhir Sitapati

The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building A Business When There Are No Easy Answers – Ben Horowitz

My Life In Full: Work, Family And Our Future – Indra Nooyi

These are very inspirational and remarkable books with various lessons to pick up. I am a big fan of autobiographies.

What is your fitness regime, and how do you keep yourself fit?

Over the last few years, I have transformed from a night person to a morning person. I usually start my day early, and set an hour or two in the morning to work out. I’m a fitness enthusiast and love weight training. When the lockdown happened last year, I set up a mini gym in my house and got all the essential equipment. I have been very consistent with my workouts since then. More than my body, I think it has really helped me focus better even at work. It is extremely important to have a healthy mind and a fit body to sustain the intensity of this job.

What, according to you, are the five mantras for success in business?

I have just one mantra. Identify your ticket to win before taking the plunge. It could either be the brand story, your product, distribution or your understanding of the consumer. But know that, and double down on that.

What message on management would you like to give to youngsters?

Today is the first day of the rest of your life. There is no better time than today. So, get up, and get going.

Lastly, how would you define yourself in a sentence?

A passionate, focused, disciplined and impatient individual, who, if he sets an eye on a specific goal, will go to any length to achieve it – no matter what.