EP - 77 | Biggest Story of India Ft. Guruswamy Naidu | Celkon Group| The Planned Murder | Nokia Chesindi Blunders | Advises to Young Entrepreneur| Working with Government | Raw Talks Telugu Podcast
In this telugu podcast episode, we explore the story of Y. Guruswamy Naidu, a seasoned entrepreneur who built Celkon, one of the largest mobile brands in India, and later reinvented it into a multi-vertical empire.
The podcast begins by shedding light on Celkon’s rise, its initial success, and the unexpected fall of many Indian mobile brands. Guruswamy Naidu reveals the truth behind the failure of over 110 Indian mobile companies, discussing how factors like LC rule changes, the Jio revolution, and GST disrupted the industry. Despite these challenges, Guruswamy’s strategic vision allowed him to transform Celkon and navigate these rough waters, achieving ₹2600 Cr turnover in 2023—a feat that’s both inspiring and instructive for aspiring entrepreneurs.
A major highlight of the conversation is Guruswamy’s bold ₹100 Cr land acquisition in Kokapet. This decision to enter real estate was part of a larger vision to diversify his business, and it exemplifies his ability to see opportunity where others might see risk.
The discussion also touches on the current state of India’s manufacturing sector, where Guruswamy provides an honest analysis of the obstacles faced by Indian manufacturers in competing with global giants, especially China. He emphasizes that while initiatives like Make in India have garnered attention, real structural changes are still needed for India to become a manufacturing powerhouse. Guruswamy also shares his perspective on the Product Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, offering insights on how India can compete with global players by improving infrastructure, policy support, and innovation.
In addition to his expertise in manufacturing, Guruswamy delves into the mobile industry’s evolution. He reflects on the rise and fall of Nokia, explaining how the brand’s inability to adapt to changing market trends and the rapid shift to smartphones led to its decline. He compares this to his own decision to pivot from mobile manufacturing and diversify Celkon into various sectors, including technology, real estate, and government supplies.
A key moment in the podcast is Guruswamy’s candid admission about the challenges faced in the retail sector. He discusses the decline of mobile retailers, from a high of 12,000 stores to just 2,000 today, and how brands need to adapt to the new digital-first reality. He also shares his predictions on whether the future of retail will be driven more by online sales or offline presence, with insights drawn from his experiences in both domains.
The conversation also touches on future trends in technology, with Guruswamy reflecting on mobile phone features, particularly the slow-down of phones with newer models. He offers his views on whether this is a deliberate move by manufacturers to encourage upgrades and whether the hype surrounding new phone models is actually just clever marketing rather than true innovation.
He also talks about his experience at Daos, the future of electric vehicles (EVs) in India, and his thoughts on green hydrogen as a potential game-changer for the country’s energy sector.
When asked about India’s potential to build companies like Apple, Guruswamy shares a balanced view, acknowledging the challenges but also pointing to the immense potential India holds in terms of talent, innovation, and market size. He emphasizes the importance of fostering innovation ecosystems, improving funding access, and leveraging India’s strengths in sectors like software development and manufacturing.
Finally, Guruswamy reflects on his business philosophy, sharing valuable lessons about delegation, the importance of focusing on the business, and managing time effectively. He believes in the power of delegation—embodying the 70% rule—allowing him to manage multiple ventures while maintaining growth and innovation. His story is a testament to the value of resilience, adaptability, and the importance of thinking long-term in business.