At Brilliant Read Media, it is our constant endeavour to identify and share some of the unique and compelling stories from the startup ecosystem. As part of this, we invited Suhas Deshmukh for an interview with Brilliant Read Media. To say further, Suhas is an Entrepreneur and Founder at La Venizzo. Let’s learn more about his background, inspiring journey so far and his advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Suhas:
Tell us about your background. Where did your journey begin?
I was born and raised in Nashik, Maharashtra, in a middle-class family. My father had a government job, and my mother managed the household. Alongside that, she made pearl necklaces and fur toys to support the family financially. Watching her balance responsibility, creativity, and struggle shaped my mindset from a very young age.
Was there a moment that changed the way you thought about your future?
Yes—one moment that I consider a turning point. I was in the 7th standard when I saw a full-page newspaper advertisement of Tata’s Indica car. I cut it out and put it on my wall. When my mother asked why, I said I wanted to buy that car one day.
She smiled and said, “If you’re dreaming, dream bigger. Don’t dream of buying the car—dream of becoming like the person who built the company.” That sentence stayed with me for life.
Did you always know what kind of businessman you wanted to become?
Not at all. I didn’t know what I would do or how I would do it. I only knew one thing clearly—I wanted to be a businessman and create something of my own. There were no mentors, no internet, no roadmap—just belief and determination.
How did you start when you had no capital?
When I asked my family for support, I was told business wasn’t meant for people like us. With no money, I partnered with a fruit auction trader. I worked nights at the fruit market—unloading farmers’ trucks at 2–2:30 a.m. and selling their produce at auction. That small commission became my first capital.
You explored many businesses. What did those experiences teach you?
I tried fish farming, construction, local trading, and import-export. Some worked briefly, many failed. But every experience taught me discipline, patience, and problem-solving. The dream of becoming a businessman never left me, even during the toughest phases.
How did pomegranates become central to your journey?
While exporting pomegranates, I noticed farmers throwing away lower-quality produce because it didn’t fetch a good price. That disturbed me deeply. I started experimenting—making juice, jam, jelly—trying to find value where others saw waste. Research showed me the immense medicinal benefits of pomegranates, and that opened a new direction for me.
People initially doubted your idea of pomegranate wine. How did you respond?
When I spoke about making pomegranate wine, people laughed. They said even grape wine didn’t sell well—why would this work? But belief doesn’t need approval. I stayed focused and kept experimenting. It took eight years of failures, trials, and learning.
When did things finally start working?
In 2016, after eight years, I finally achieved the result I was looking for—a high-quality pomegranate wine with health benefits. From there, the vision expanded into a zero-waste pomegranate project, including cosmetics made from peels and seeds.
How did you survive financially during those long years of struggle?
I delivered milk door-to-door through a dairy business to manage daily expenses. There were days when I didn’t even have ₹5 or ₹10 in my pocket. Two friends stood by me in my darkest times, giving me their entire salaries without knowing whether I would succeed. That kind of faith changes you.
Did you find mentors along the way?
Yes — I was truly fortunate to find mentors along the way who helped shape my journey. When I had a product but no way to scale or reach the market, Hanumant Rao Gaikwad ji and his wife, Vaishali ji came into my life like blessings. They treated me like their own child and taught me that helping someone in need always returns manifold.
I also learned invaluable lessons from Jayashri Sonawane, whose guidance helped me stay focused, resilient, and committed to growth — especially in times when clarity felt distant. Her support was a steady compass during challenging phases.
And then there’s Rakesh Deshmane, whose insights (whether through professional wisdom or personal encouragement) inspired me to broaden my perspective, stay curious, and embrace continuous learning — both as a creator and a leader.
Each of them, in their own unique way, helped me evolve not just as an entrepreneur but as a person committed to serving others with humility and purpose.
What philosophy guides your work today?
I strongly believe that if your intentions are pure, your heart is clean, and your work does not harm anyone, help always arrives—often in unexpected forms. God exists in every human being and every living creature.
How do you define success now?
Success is not just about profits. I’ve decided to keep only 5% of my profits for myself and invest 95% in guiding and supporting young dreamers who want to build something meaningful.
If my product gives health benefits, and the profits create a positive impact, then both the body and the soul are nourished.
What message would you like to leave for aspiring entrepreneurs?
Anyone can dream of buying a car.
Very few dare to dream of building the company.
Dream bigger than your circumstances—and then stay committed long enough to make it real.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
