“You need to learn a lot!” – Aman Gupta on Stylestry’s Business Weaknesses: Stylestry on Shark Tank India

Stylestry is a footwear brand known for its stylish yet affordable shoes. The company sells a wide range of footwear, including:

• Y2K heels
• Loafers
• Sneakers
• Ethnic shoes
• Sandals
• Wedges
• Flats
• Boots

The brand positions itself as an affordable alternative to high-end brands, offering pricing comparable to local markets like Sarojini Nagar.

Founded by Sanyam Chugh and Shudhit Chugh, Stylestry aims to bridge the gap between affordability and fashion.

With multi-platform sales and an active social media presence, the company has gained traction among young buyers looking for trendy, budget-friendly footwear.

Click here to visit their website: Stylestry

Related: “Your name spoils everything!” – Aman and Vineeta on EasyRugs’ Branding on Shark Tank India

• FY22-23: ₹7.4 crore
• FY23-24: ₹6.7 crore

Despite strong revenue figures, the decline in sales raised concerns among the sharks about Stylestry’s long-term sustainability.

The founders entered Shark Tank India seeking ₹50 lakh for 1% equity, valuing the business at ₹50 crore.

However, their pitch raised several concerns about quality control, brand identity, and operational scalability.

The sharks had mixed reactions to the brand’s business model. While they appreciated the founders’ enthusiasm, they questioned the long-term viability of the company.

Shark Namita appreciated the brand’s affordability but felt the business model had major hurdles: Return orders were too high. Scaling the brand would require significant investment in marketing. Offline expansion would demand heavy capital, something the company wasn’t prepared for. Due to these reasons, she decided not to invest.

Shark Peyush admired how the founders used Instagram polls to decide on shoe designs, but he saw a flaw:

• He believed the business was focused too much on pricing rather than long-term brand growth.
• He advised the founders to rethink their approach before scaling.
• With that, he stepped away from the deal.

Shark Vineeta liked the shoe designs and price point, but she was surprised that the founders weren’t leveraging Amazon and other e-commerce platforms. She suggested that they expand their online presence to improve sales and strengthen their logistics to ensure timely deliveries. Despite her advice, she opted out of investing.

Shark Anupam Mittal asked the founders, “Aapne kaha dhakka kha kha kar seekha, mereko abhi tak pata nhi laga kaha par laga dhakka zara bataiye.” (“You said you learned from struggles, but I still don’t see where the struggle was. Tell me.”)

Shudhit recounted his experience visiting factories during his 10th standard vacations during the COVID-19 lockdown.

• He spent time understanding manufacturing.
• He saw firsthand the challenges in footwear production.

While Anupam respected the sincerity, he still felt the business lacked a sustainable competitive edge. A business built only on affordability won’t survive long-term. With this belief, he backed out of the deal.

Shark Aman appreciated the energy and dedication of the founders, but he identified serious gaps in their knowledge:

1. Weakness in financial management.
2. Lack of strong marketing strategies.
3. Inexperience in operations and logistics.

“You still need to learn a lot”. Due to these factors, he chose not to invest. Despite a confident pitch, Stylestry left Shark Tank India without a deal.

The sharks felt the business lacked differentiation and would struggle with:

• Brand positioning in a crowded footwear market.
• Scalability without significant capital investment.
• Long-term sustainability beyond low pricing.

While the founders showed promise, the sharks felt they needed to refine their strategy before seeking further investment.

1. Affordability alone isn’t enough – A business must have a clear brand identity and a scalability plan.
2. Selling on multiple platforms is crucial – Relying only on social media limits growth potential.
3. A strong financial and operational strategy is key – Investors want sustainable, long-term business models, not just good sales numbers.

Stylestry has proven there’s a demand for budget-friendly fashion footwear, but challenges remain.

To succeed in the long run, the founders must:

• Improve product quality to reduce returns.
• Expand sales channels, particularly on Amazon and Flipkart.
• Strengthen their business fundamentals, including operations and financial planning.

The footwear market in India is highly competitive. If Stylestry can refine its approach, it has a real chance of becoming a household name.

However, without significant changes, the business may struggle to scale beyond its current stage.

The question remains—can Stylestry evolve into a national brand, or will it remain just another budget footwear startup? Time will tell.