Leaders

Parul Rastogi Dhawan: Empowering The Toy Industry With High-Quality & Safe Toys

Parul Rastogi Dhawan
Founder, Toy Marche

The toy industry in India is a thriving sector that caters to the growing demands of children and parents alike. With the rise of the digital population and increasing disposable incomes, the demand for high-quality toys has witnessed a significant upswing. Parul Rastogi Dhawan, the Founder of Toy Marche and an alumnus of Symbiosis International University, has played a pivotal role in this industry. With her educational background, including a B.E. in Computer Science and a Post Graduate Diploma in IT Business Management from Symbiosis Centre for Information Technology, Pune, Parul brings a unique blend of technical expertise and business acumen to the table. As a leader, she has empowered the toy sector by providing carefully curated, trusted, and safe toys that address parents' worries. Her strategic vision and dedication have propelled Toy Marche to become a trusted destination for parents seeking high-quality toys for their children. Let's hear more from her.

Could you please provide information about your educational background and previous work experience in the industry?

I hold a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science (B.E.) and have completed a Post Graduate Diploma in IT Business Management from Symbiosis Centre for Information Technology, Pune. Following my studies, I secured a job placement with a prominent Big 4 firm in the United Arab Emirates. This opportunity allowed me to delve into the field of IT Audit and Risk Management, where I dedicated 13 years of my career. Working in a consulting capacity exposed me to a wide range of businesses, enabling me to comprehend their operational intricacies, tackle various challenges, and gain insight into diverse managerial practices. Moreover, I had the privilege of engaging with numerous business leaders, further expanding my knowledge and perspectives. Transitioning into a leadership position proved to be an invaluable learning experience, wherein I acquired skills in mentoring and guiding the professional growth of others. These cumulative experiences have equipped me with the ability to navigate through challenging scenarios effectively and find efficient solutions.

What inspired your transition from the corporate world to embark on an entrepreneurial journey with Toy Marche?

There were several motivating factors that led me to make this decision. Initially, I had no intentions of leaving my successful corporate career, as I had invested significant effort and achieved success in various roles I held. However, I felt a sense of something missing. I yearned for an opportunity to engage in work beyond the routine operational tasks, to be involved in strategic decision-making, and to utilize my creativity. I desired to witness my own strategies come to life without the constraints of corporate bureaucracy. Ultimately, I craved the autonomy to pursue my own path and make decisions in my own unique way. Driven by these aspirations, I chose to follow my passion and take a leap of faith into the realm of entrepreneurship with Toy Marche.

Introduce Toy Marche, its underlying concept, and areas of expertise.

As a mother of two boys, I understood the struggle of finding quality toys in a sea of options available in the market. To solve this problem, Toy Marche carefully curates and offers trusted toy brands, ensuring that parents can confidently select safe toys for their kids. Additionally, we recognized the issue of excessive toy accumulation and introduced a buyback option, allowing parents to sell their unused toys back to us when their children have moved on to other toys. Moreover, we are soon launching a segment dedicated to preloved toys, following a unique B2C model. This innovative approach aims to solve the problem of toy accumulation while extending the lifespan of toys. Toy Marche is committed to providing a comprehensive solution that simplifies toy selection for parents and effectively manages the surplus of toys in households.

What are the key challenges you face as an entrepreneur in the Indian business landscape? How do you tackle these obstacles?

As an entrepreneur, I encounter various challenges while running a business, particularly with customers and vendors. One of the major challenges in the Indian business landscape is competing with MNCs that offer substantial discounts, making it difficult for newer players to compete effectively. Although the government is taking steps to address this issue, it is a complex problem that will take time to resolve. In the meantime, our strategy revolves around remaining focused on understanding and addressing the needs of our customers and providing exceptional customer service to the best of our abilities.

"I Chose To Follow My Passion & Take A Leap Of Faith Into The Realm Of Entrepreneurship With Toy Marche"

While we strive to leverage technology to optimize our processes and deliver efficient services to customers, the distribution and logistics landscape in India still requires further restructuring and technological adaptation to ensure error-free last-mile commitments.

Describe Toy Marche's growth journey and highlight significant milestones achieved.

Toy Marche's journey has been a thrilling roller coaster ride in just two years. Despite the ups and downs, our customers have been incredibly supportive, showering us with love and encouragement. Each customer review and repeat purchase is a significant milestone, and their positive word-of-mouth is invaluable. Our focus at Toy Marche is to establish trust by providing excellent service and personalized attention to customer concerns. While we embrace technological advancements like automation, maintaining a personal touch remains vital in building trust.

How do you anticipate the evolution of the Indian e-commerce landscape and Toy Marche's roadmap to align with industry changes?

The Indian e-commerce sector is set for exponential growth with the increasing digital population and technology advancements improving the online shopping experience. Toy Marche aims to expand its reach among the young digital population while enhancing the shopping experience through AI integration and potentially virtual reality exploration. Our roadmap focuses on adapting to industry changes, leveraging emerging technologies, and delivering exceptional e-commerce innovations. By staying ahead of the curve, we strive to position Toy Marche as a leading player in the evolving Indian e-commerce landscape.

Parul Rastogi Dhawan, Founder, Toy Marche

Parul, Founder of Toy Marche and Alumni Women Leader from Symbiosis International University Revolutionizes the Toy Industry with High-Quality offerings for Parents' Worries.