Nishant Sharma founder & CEO of Rutland Square Spirits on building a fast-growing premium spirits brand.

The India–Scotland Entrepreneurial Journey!  Today’s guest is Nishant Sharma. the Indian-born, Edinburgh-based entrepreneur whose company blends Indian heritage with Scottish craftsmanship. Nishant’s story is one of resilience, legacy and bold reinvention.

After leaving a successful career in financial services, he set out to build a brand with long-term meaning. Inspired by his late grandmother — and a family history that traces back to his great-grandfather becoming a whisky distiller during the British Raj — he brought his Assam roots into the heart of Scotland’s spirits industry. 

The journey, however, was anything but smooth. At one point, the business had just £25 in the bank with major bills due. The stress led to a near-fatal heart attack at just 35. He survived. Rebuilt. And came back stronger.  In this episode, we discuss building a global spirits brand against the odds. Operating in highly regulated markets; India's complicated relationship with alcohol, building a global brand. Great advice for first time founders. Why ignorance can be bliss; raising investment; and even how to drink it — ice or no ice? And finally… if India plays Scotland at cricket, who is he supporting?

We also talk about:

• Growing up in India and moving to Scotland
• First impressions of Scotland: cold, rainy… but kind people
• Working as a waiter, dishwasher and cleaner in Glasgow
• The family whisky connection during the British Raj
• Why he chose spirits
• Spending 4 years perfecting the recipe
• Creating the world’s first oolong white tea infused chai-spice spirit
• Why 2021 failed… and why 2022 failed again
• building without industry experience
• Building a global premium brand in a crowded market
• Expanding into India — why it’s not for the faint-hearted
• The aspirational Indian consumer market

Links

https://rutlandsquare.com/

The Indian Startup Show is hosted and produced by Neil Patel

Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilpatel2/

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