Thanks to this innovative startup, Installing a False Ceiling is so easy

For everyone out there, owning an own house can be the best feeling ever. Right from the time you decide to buy a new house, you start planning about every minute detail. You want everything to be perfect, right from the paint to the interiors. Some of us do it ourselves by donning the hat of an interior designer while some of us hire a professional interior designer. Whatever is the case, quite often we encounter situations that needs a lot of work and planning. For a house to look elegant, the ceiling is something that definitely makes a difference. Usually we install the same old false ceiling that is time consuming and annoying due to the lack of designs. Add to that the labor intensive work that needs to be done. Sometimes that can be quite a handful to deal with.

But not anymore. This Bangalore based startup called MyCeiling Pvt Ltd  is revolutionizing the way ceilings are installed. They have made it so easy that anyone can do it. We got one of the founders of the venture Jay Sah to talk about his journey. Here are the excerpts from the conversation:

 

Give a brief info about your startup?

MyCeiling Pvt Ltd is Bangalore based manufacturer of ready-to-fit ceiling décor products which is considered a substitute for false ceiling and ceiling light products. Targeting the huge and most defragmented market of false ceiling as well as a portion of décor light market, MyCeiling aims to bring online trend in this segment and dominate with its own brand innovative product-line in future.

 

What made you start your startup and what problem does it solve?

Founder Jay Sah (to the left in image) mentioned how one client’s  “wow” response on his exclusive ceiling product  motivated him to take it up and after a year when he revisited for interior photography, same product was the main cause of disappointment.

Recently MyCeiling got its first big work order from a Bangalore –based developer and looking forward to showcase its product in various home décor and light showrooms across cities. “We are also in process to tie up with leading chain-hotel group which will be disclosed soon” mentioned Rohit Kumar, Co-founder, MyCeiling (to the right in image).

PROBLEM IT SOLVES:  Today false ceiling is all out the offline process of gypsum false ceiling where people know only one or two brand name. It’s completely labor based offline process which has several drawbacks and limitations. The idea of Myceiling is to bring this business to online model with its innovative products and strategies.

Our 1^st product launched is made of thin metal sheet with powder coating finish and pvc components (with RGB led light within which can be operated with remote). We are looking forward to bring the gypsum false ceiling market online as well which is a big challenge to us.

 

Tell us about yourself, your previous jobs/venture s? What were you doing before this startup?

Hometown : Ranchi

My father is retired government  employee and mother is housewife. All my family members stay in Patna, Bihar currently.High schooling from DAV Shyamali, Ranchi

Completed Bachelor  of Design from NIFT, Bangalore in 2011.

Worked as independent interior designer for Jun 2011-Mar2014 and job of project manager in a startup “Livspace” for May2014-Jun2016.

Incorporated own startup in July 2016, registered trademark and filed product PATENT as well.

 

Where is your startup based out of? Why do you think that is the best place for you?

Our  startup is based out of Bangalore with our  corporate office and manufacturing unit here.

Today Bangalore is hub for startups across India specially for tech based companies. We found everything around us right from its R&D till manufacturing. What all we need is right here specially our target clientele.

 

As a startup founder, what are you paranoid about ? What keeps you awake at night?

Being a product based Startup, although its innovative and unique product I am always paranoid about what if our big competitor try to win the game overnight with immense money flow and copy our products as they are already well established. We have our product line ready with next level of advancements (to be launched at times) and strategies which will help us be ahead in the competition in long run.

 

Who are your competitions and how are you better than them?

Saint Gobain has the brand trust among end users for its raw materials and many contractors and companies are providing services/execution of false ceiling work. In most of the cases a client can go for either a gypsum false ceiling or a Myceiling product so although there is no other manufacturer of products similar to ours we can say Saint Gobain is potential competitor here. Also Philips, Pasolite, Tisva etc are offering ceiling décor products  hence these are also potential competitors.   Our product is unique and different from what these competitors are offering. Also we product patent which will keep the competition restricted. Also our future vision for E-comm false ceiling business is not just money driven model, it solves a huge problem which takes time and effort of a great team (it can’t be done over night by a big brand by spending huge amount of money to win the game).

 

How hard is it to have a work life balance as a startup founder and how do you manage it?

I don’t have commitments in personal life other than my startup. Being fearless to lose nothing  , makes it possible to take risk and fight against all odds in long term. To me what I am doing is what I love and is the only thing on mind whether its personal or professional life so it keeps the focus clear.

 

Have you raised funding? If yes, then we would like to know the details. If no then please tell us if you are looking to raise.

I started Myceiling with own investment and recently  Rohit Kumar joined as co-founder and also invested in the venture. We are looking for series A funding to sustain in long term, build the brand and team to pursue our goal.

 

What is the most important priority for this company?

Acceptance of this online ceiling model is our priority and that will happen only once sufficient number of products are found at clients places. From there people wont hesitate in ordering online once they see it live at a friend’s home or office. Bringing the online model of gypsum false ceiling is a long term process which we have planned but considered as 2^nd priority.

 

How do you think this might evolve over the coming months?

Brand building takes time and especially for a new innovation. It will take sometime for people to be aware of this product which is all about marketing. At the same time finding live products installed across the cities, whether it’s a showroom or customer’s home is also important in same way.

 

What’s the biggest misconception people have about you? Why do they have that? What’s the reality?

Like any other startup they feel my idea is quite risky, close to unacceptable.. especially when its about a premium product  which people have not seen before. To them it might look like a short cut to overnight-success which I have aimed and more of madness.  I feel its quite normal for any startup founder to deal with such mind sets. Success is the only answer to them  else ignoring such thoughts is only thing one should do to stay focused.

 

What gets you excited about this company?

To innovate and set up a new trend in market which makes life of people easier and better is all what we want to see. More than success of my startup  important is to see this idea to be successful and bringing the change.

 

Tell us how a day in your life looks like? Your schedule for a day right from the time you get up till you hit the bed at night.

Try to keep schedule on time whether its waking up or diet is important to keep your work at place and make it count. I try to keep my schedule simple and well spaced by keeping my activity planner updated. Meeting people, healthy debates and updating my knowledge is what I love to everyday. I believe in taking a step and making it count.

 

 

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