From Farm Fields to a Rs 500 Crore Empire: The Inspiring Journey of Happilo’s Founder
Born into a modest farming family in Karnataka, Vikas Dhanmal Nahar’s path to success was anything but smooth. Before he could build the company of his dreams, he stumbled and fell more than twenty times. There were moments when making ends meet meant taking on whatever small work came his way. Yet through every setback, he refused to let his vision slip away.
After countless hurdles, he finally launched a small venture of his own. Just as the business was beginning to find its footing, the COVID-19 pandemic brought everything to a standstill. Warehouses sat full of inventory worth lakhs, and when he approached the commissioner for permission to make essential deliveries, he was told that dry fruits did not qualify as essential goods. With employee salaries hanging in the balance, he faced one of the toughest decisions of his life. Instead of surrendering to the crisis, he chose to rethink his approach entirely. He pivoted to e-commerce and started selling his products online. That single decision changed everything.
Through relentless effort, smart strategy, and an unshakeable mindset, the company that began with just Rs 10,000 now generates over Rs 500 crore in business. This is the story of Vikas Dhanmal Nahar, founder and CEO of Happilo, who proves that dreams don’t die from failure—they die only when you give up on them.
A Turning Point That Redefined Everything
Born in 1984, Vikas grew up in a household where coffee and black pepper farming were the primary sources of income. Agriculture taught him his earliest lessons in patience and perseverance. His father, Dhanmal Nahar, also traded in coffee and black pepper, giving Vikas an early exposure to the fundamentals of commerce.
He completed his early schooling in village institutions and, despite limited resources, made his way to Bangalore University, where he earned a degree in Computer Science in 2005. After graduating, he spent three years working as a Senior Import Manager (Asia) at a large corporation. But a stable job wasn’t enough for someone who wanted to carve out his own identity. He left the position and enrolled in an MBA program at Symbiosis University to give his ambitions a clearer direction. That marked the true beginning of his entrepreneurial journey.
Lessons That Shaped the Entrepreneur
During his MBA, campus placements landed him a role at a well-known bank. He left after just six months. He then joined a startup focused on health products—including dry fruits—where he served as Managing Director for nearly four and a half years. That experience proved invaluable. It was there that he absorbed the practical lessons of the trade that would later prepare him to run his own business. Finally, he made the leap and decided to go independent.
Starting with Two Employees and a Modest Budget
Though Vikas inherited a natural understanding of business, launching Happilo came with more than twenty rejections. Every time he pitched his idea to investors, he walked away empty-handed. During those tough stretches, he even worked as a retailer and distributor to stay afloat. When external funding wasn’t forthcoming, he turned to his own savings—just Rs 10,000—and started Happilo with only two employees. Later, his wife took out a loan of Rs 20 lakh to invest in the venture. A subsequent boost came from the government’s CGTMSE scheme, which provided Rs 75 lakh in support and gave the company a solid foundation to grow.
Happilo’s Rise to Prominence
Today, Happilo is more than just a brand—it stands as a source of inspiration in the Indian business landscape. The company offers over 40 varieties of packaged dry fruits, more than 100 chocolate options, and over 60 spice blends, building a reputation that spans both health and taste. With annual revenues exceeding Rs 500 crore, Happilo reflects what visionary leadership and continuous innovation can achieve.
Vikas, who is fluent in five languages, brings a global outlook and an insatiable appetite for learning that sets him apart from the crowd. His appearances on popular platforms, recognition in prestigious lists, and numerous industry awards all stand as testimony to his perseverance and hard work.
Key Takeaways for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
- Don’t fear failure—treat every setback as a lesson that moves you forward.
- Dream big, but never hesitate to start small.
- Patience and consistent effort are the true foundations of success.
- Lasting achievement comes from foresight and unwavering self-belief.
