Vinay Jain, Founder and CEO of GADOTT, traces his journey from Chawri Bazar to building a growing Indian bathware brand rooted in design integrity and trust. In this interview with Asma Rafat, Senior Correspondent, Realty+, Jain discusses identifying a critical market gap between expensive global labels and unreliable mass products, and how GADOTT was created to bridge it. He reflects on balancing luxury with value, adapting international design for Indian conditions, and embedding honesty into leadership and culture. The conversation offers insight into how functionality, engineering discipline, and thoughtful aesthetics are shaping the future of Indian bathrooms.
What inspired you to start GADOTT, and what gap did you see in the bathware market?
Vinay Jain: GADOTT began with a simple belief - Indian homes deserve thoughtfully designed bathware that looks global but works for everyday Indian needs. In my early years, I noticed a clear gap: people either bought expensive international brands or settled for affordable products that didn’t last. There was no middle path. That’s what motivated me to start GADOTT. I wanted to create a brand that brings global design and strong engineering, but at a price that makes sense. My aim was simple: give people bathware that is beautiful, reliable, and honest.
You started your journey in Chawri Bazar at 21. How did those early years shape you?
Vinay Jain: Chawri Bazar has been my greatest teacher. Growing up as a trader at 21 was a lesson in patience and relationship-building and showed me that honesty is everything. I learned that this industry was highly fragmented and that consumers were always looking for reliable and innovative offerings. These are lessons I’ve taken with me to build GADOTT- to know your customer is everything, quality is never compromised on, and that no matter how far you’ve come, stay humble.
How challenging is it to balance luxury with value in the Indian market?
Vinay Jain: India is a value-driven market, but people today are also very design-aware. For us, the goal was never to pick between luxury or value - it was to create a balance between both. At GADOTT, we focus on timeless design, strong engineering, and fair pricing. Having manufacturing done locally, while adhering to Global Standards, helps us ensure quality while avoiding the need for premium pricing. For us, the definition of luxury isn’t the price we charge; it’s giving the user a luxurious experience, which feels beautiful and effortless.
What are the biggest changes you've seen in how Indians view bathroom spaces?
Vinay Jain: There have been huge changes in bathrooms inside Indian homes. They aren’t just places with functional use anymore; rather, today people want their bathrooms to be their sanctuary as well. Today’s consumers want their bathrooms to be relaxing spaces with beautiful designs and functionality incorporated into them as well. This is something that inspires us here at GADOTT - that our products should be beautiful spaces with functionality and suitability for the Indian consumer base as well.
How does your motto, “Hard work with honesty”, show up in your leadership and company culture?
Vinay Jain: My philosophy is simple: work hard, stay honest, and build trust by what you do, not by what you say. At GADOTT, this is reflected in every step: how we design, how we manufacture, how we communicate, and how we support customers. I always encourage the team to prioritize long-term reliability over shortcuts. Transparency in processes and quality is of utmost importance to us. That commitment to sincerity has shaped GADOTT’s culture and is one of our biggest strengths.
What has been the most satisfying part of growing GADOTT from 18 to 300 people?
Vinay Jain: The most satisfying thing for me is watching people grow with the company. Guys who joined our team from the very beginning are now leading important departments in the company. It is great to see their confidence and the feeling of ownership grow together with the brand. Every milestone achieved, whether a new product line, better facilities, or customer appreciation, feels meaningful since it is accomplished through real teamwork. One of the most enriching journeys of my life was building GADOTT from scratch along with this team.
What role do international design influences play, and how do you adapt them for India?
Vinay Jain: Our design inspiration definitely comes from Italy, Germany, and France - but everything is fine-tuned for Indian homes. Indian bathrooms have different water conditions, usage patterns, and technical needs. So while the look and feel draw from global styles, the functionality is entirely customised for India. We refine mechanisms, materials, and finishes to ensure reliability here. That blend of international elegance and Indian practicality is what makes GADOTT’s design philosophy unique.
How does GADOTT differentiate itself beyond design and pricing?
Vinay Jain: Our strength goes beyond aesthetics and pricing - it lies in engineering clarity, reliability, and user experience. Every product undergoes strict testing to ensure consistent performance in Indian conditions. We put a lot of thought into usability: smooth operation, easy installation, and long life. And because our collections are cohesive, everything works beautifully together. Most importantly, we’re building a brand rooted in trust - not just marketing. That authenticity sets us apart.
Are Indian consumers now more design-aware than brand-obsessed?
Vinay Jain: Absolutely. Today’s consumers are very informed. They want products that feel good, function well, and fit into their lifestyle - not just big-brand labels. They research more and expect thoughtful design without paying unnecessary premiums. This shift is pushing the industry to prioritise real value and innovation. People are choosing experiences over logos, and that’s a great direction for the market.
What’s one common mistake brands make when positioning themselves as “luxury” in India?
Vinay Jain: There are many brands today that think luxury is more about the pricing of the brand or the designs of the brand. But when I say luxury, I am referring to designs, looks, and the performance of the brand. Indian customers like things that look luxurious as well as make their lives easier. If brands only worry about the looks of the brand rather than the performance of the brand, then the brand is misunderstanding the actual meaning of the luxury of the brand. At GADOTT, we strongly agree on the luxury of the brand.
How important is functionality versus aesthetics when developing a new product?
Vinay Jain: For me, both matter equally. A product can look stunning, but if it doesn’t work smoothly every day, it loses its purpose. And at the same time, something functional without good design doesn’t excite today’s customers. At GADOTT, we always try to bring both together. The product should feel easy to use, comfortable, long-lasting, and also look good in the space. Our goal is simple - to create pieces that genuinely make the bathroom experience better while also making the space feel beautiful.
What is your long-term vision for GADOTT in the next 5–10 years?
Vinay Jain: Our dream is to make GADOTT a mark to look up to in good quality ‘Accessible Luxury in Design’ in India. We look to enhance our footprint in India in the coming years, further enhance innovation in ‘Wellness’ and ‘Waters,’ and strive to bring a seamless ‘ecosystem’ of bathrooms to bathrooms! As much as we look to enhance in terms of size and scope, our commitment to being ‘Real,’ ‘Sensitive in Design,’ and ‘Delivering Consistently’ shall only intensify to become a ‘Million Families-Trust-Us’ Brand itself!
