“When you build a company, you also need to consider your environment and demographics. Don’t just think about yourself; think about your country, your state, your city. You should have a broad perspective on everything.”
Entrepreneurs Today reached out to Vinayak Jhunjhunwala, the founder of VR Fenestration, a company specialising in manufacturing UPVC and aluminium windows, and providing advanced glass solutions.
Established in 2021, the company offers a range of modern, customised products for both residential and commercial projects, including sliding and casement windows and doors, partitions, wardrobes, shower enclosures, and invisible grills. Additionally, they specialise in glass works such as glasshouses, railings, and structured glazing.
Vinayak completed his graduation in 2019 and gained initial professional experience working in the marble industry for two and a half years. His journey into entrepreneurship began as a response to the changing market dynamics post-COVID-19, leading him to bootstrap his venture from the ground up. In 2021, he launched VR Fenestration, focusing on delivering innovative and customised fenestration solutions.
In 2023, Vinayak expanded the company’s leadership by introducing his wife as a partner, strengthening the company’s foundation as a family-run business. Under his guidance, VR Fenestration has established itself as a key player in the industry, known for its commitment to quality and modern solutions.
Finding Inspiration
After losing his father early in life, he was driven by a strong desire to rise above his circumstances. Vinayak’s inspiration to start his own business stemmed from a lifelong dream to become an entrepreneur. Despite financial hardships, his passion for business and determination to succeed motivated him to establish VR Fenestration in 2021.
Services Offered
VR Fenestration specialises in providing a full range of glass solutions for residential and commercial projects.
Their services include manufacturing and installing windows, shower enclosures, glass ceilings, partitions, and shutters, offering tailored solutions to meet diverse client needs. Whether for new constructions or renovations, VR Fenestration ensures high-quality, customised products that enhance both aesthetic appeal and functionality across various applications in the built environment.
The Journey
VR Fenestration distinguishes itself in the market through several key strengths. They have achieved significant growth since inception, projecting to reach 100 crore by the year-end, highlighting their rapid expansion and market traction.
The company attributes its success to a robust team, strategic planning, and a proactive approach to innovation. They emphasise delivering beyond conventional solutions, consistently pushing boundaries to maintain a competitive edge.
Recently recognised among India’s top 10 players in their industry, with ambitions to ascend to the top five globally, VR Fenestration stands poised for continued growth and impact across East India and beyond.
Interviewer: Can you tell us about some of the challenges you faced initially while finding Fenestration?
Vinayak: “One of our day-to-day challenges is that we come from a state that’s quite disorganised and not very developed. It’s not even in the category of underdevelopment. The labour force isn’t inherently workaholic, and neither is the staff. Initially, this posed a challenge. However, we began motivating our team. We emphasised our goals and compared ourselves with other cities like Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, and Bangalore that were performing well. This motivated people and gave them the idea that we too could achieve similar success. I envision making West Bengal a cultural hub for the entire country. That’s my central mission; money, while important, comes and goes. My primary goal is for my state to become the best in India.”
Interviewer: Was it challenging to find a good client base initially?
Vinayak: “I’ve been fortunate to have a good client base, partly due to my previous experience in the marble and windows industry. The initial challenge was figuring out how to connect with the right people and assemble a team of skilled individuals—those proficient in English, with a strong team ethic, and possessing a visionary outlook—who would collaborate effectively with me.”
VR Fenestration primarily targets high-end, niche markets, catering to decision-makers across various sectors. With a robust client base, their business has seen substantial growth, accounting for 80 to 90% of their operations.
Till now, they have achieved notable milestones in a short span. They have been certified among the top 10 companies in India by industry authorities. Additionally, they have been recognised as the youngest entrepreneur by prominent organisations in West Bengal, including those monitoring architects, engineers, and vendor forums.
The initial investment for VR Fenestration was primarily self-funded through trading activities and accumulating funds from client advances. Initially, they engaged in trading by procuring materials from manufacturers against advance payments and supplying them to end-users.
This approach allowed them to gather capital to gradually invest in their own machinery and establish their first plant, which started with an area of just 5,000 square feet in early 2022. Since then, they have expanded significantly, with plans now underway to scale up to a 10,000 square feet facility.
Finding the Right Team
“Keep learning, stay focused, be disciplined, and continuously boost yourself and your team. When your team is strong, everything else falls into place.”
Finding a proper team is often a challenge for startups. The key is to have a structured approach to hiring. He shares that, during the hiring process, the prospective team members undergo a three-month evaluation period where they are provided with a comprehensive operational chart and a clear roadmap.
During this time, the company assesses their aggressiveness, ability to tackle challenges, and commitment to treating the company as their own. This rigorous process ensures that only those who demonstrate the potential to contribute significantly and align with the company’s goals are brought on board.
Plans Ahead
They plan to broaden their product range extensively, exploring new modular verticals within the company.
This includes establishing a dedicated glass manufacturing plant to bring current outsourced operations in-house and cater to both internal and external demands. Additionally, they aim to venture into extrusion manufacturing, transitioning from importing to producing their own materials.
Interviewer: Before we sign off, can you share some key takeaways from your entrepreneurial journey?
Vinayak: “The life of an entrepreneur is neither too tough nor too easy to describe. I’ve never faced significant challenges because I maintain a good temperament. I know challenges will come and go, but one thing that will always remain is your willpower. With willpower, you can achieve anything in life. You need to set targets and goals and focus on activities that are productive. Don’t waste time; remember, time is more valuable than money. Money comes and goes, but the learning you acquire stays with you forever in your subconscious mind.”
