How Comet Is Redefining Indian Sneaker Culture | Utkarsh Gupta | EP-19 | Tina Garg

In this episode of Iconic Brand Stories, host Tina Garg sits down with Utkarsh Gupta, Co-Founder of Comet, one of India’s fastest-growing homegrown sneaker brands. From early inspiration drawn from global sneaker culture in Chicago to building a distinctly Indian, community-led brand, Utkarsh shares the strategic thinking, product philosophy, and disciplined execution behind Comet’s rise. The conversation explores: • The philosophy behind the name “Comet” and its brand meaning • Building a product-first marketing engine with minimal ad spend • The structured 4-day drop strategy that drives anticipation and sellouts • Limited edition collaborations, including the Naru launch that saw 200+ customers line up before store opening • Pricing strategy and positioning at ₹4299, aspirational yet attainable • The importance of storytelling, packaging, and unboxing as part of product design • Balancing creative risk with brand longevity • Building community through early access, direct-to-consumer data, and offline events • Managing criticism, maintaining high NPS scores, and sustaining momentum at scale With over 150 launches and a strong direct-to-consumer foundation, Comet represents a new generation of Indian brands: rooted in culture, driven by design, and powered by community. This episode offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs, marketers, brand builders, and anyone interested in modern consumer brand strategy. Subscribe for more conversations with founders and leaders shaping iconic brands. #IconicBrandStories #Comet #UtkarshGupta #IndianBrands #StartupIndia #D2C #SneakerCulture #BrandBuilding #Entrepreneurship #MadeInIndia