Don't Follow Trends - Follow Problems: Kunal Chhabra's Rule for Starting New Ventures

In the buzzing world of startups and social media, trends come and go like waves. One week it’s cloud kitchens. The next, it’s AI-driven chat apps. Everyone wants to jump on the next big thing. But Delhi-based entrepreneur Kunal Chhabra has learned something different — something deeper. He doesn’t chase trends. He chases problems.

Sitting in his Delhi office, which also manages operations across Dubai, Kunal leans back and says, “If you want to stay relevant, solve a real problem. Because when the hype fades, only real value remains.”

It’s a belief that has guided him through building businesses in food, hospitality, media, digital marketing, crypto trading, co-working, events, and travel. But this wasn’t always his philosophy. It came from experience — both good and bad.

Learning the Hard Way

Kunal’s first ventures were inspired by passion and observation. He had grown up in a business family, helping his father run a successful bakery and catering business. That’s where he picked up his love for food and service. So when he opened Breadways in Delhi, it was a natural start. But with time, the business landscape evolved. Consumers changed. Markets shifted.

“There were moments when I was tempted to jump into what was trending,” he admits. “I remember a phase when every entrepreneur around me was getting into e-commerce or launching an app. And I started questioning if I was moving too slow.”

It took a few failures and near misses to make him realise something important. Trends are temporary. Problems are permanent. If you solve a real one, you create lasting impact — and a sustainable business.

A Different Lens: Finding the Gap

Instead of asking “What’s hot right now?”, Kunal started asking, “What’s broken? What’s missing?”

That’s how his later ventures came to life.

When he noticed professionals struggling to find quality shared workspaces in Delhi back in 2014, he didn’t wait for the co-working boom to hit. He created one. No buzz. No headlines. Just a clear solution for a clear need.

When he observed the limitations traditional media offered to emerging brands, he started K Ethics Media, followed by his digital marketing company.

And when the post-pandemic world left people hungry for vibrant experiences, he launched and scaled premium bars and restaurants like Aquila, The Sky High, Bergamo, and Yara Dubai — places that offered more than just food. They offered connection.

In every case, he focused on what people were struggling with. Then, he quietly solved it.

Why Solving Problems Is a Better Strategy

Kunal believes the difference between trend-chasers and problem-solvers is depth.

“Trends are like sugar highs. They make you feel good, but they don’t last. Solving a problem, though, gives your business roots.”

He explains that when your venture is built around solving something real — whether it’s a daily frustration, a missing product, or a broken system — you earn trust. People stick with your brand because it makes their life better, not just trendier.

That’s why most of Kunal’s businesses attract repeat customers and long-term clients. It’s not luck. It’s intention.

What Makes a Problem Worth Solving?

Not every problem needs a business behind it. So how does Kunal decide what to act on?

“It has to be something I feel connected to,” he says. “I need to care about it enough to lose sleep over it.”

He also considers scalability. Can this solution grow beyond a few people? Can it be improved over time? Is there a clear pain point that people would pay to remove?

He shares an example from his travel business. “Everyone was booking trips online, but nobody was offering curated, high-touch experiences for couples and small groups. We didn’t launch a travel agency. We launched a tailored memory-making service. That’s the difference.”

Advice for Young Entrepreneurs

For anyone just starting out, Kunal suggests slowing down and observing the world with curiosity.

“Don’t just look at what others are building. Look at what they’re missing. Ask people about their frustrations. Look for patterns. That’s where the gold lies.”

He encourages young founders to walk through life with a notebook or open phone notes. Ideas come from paying attention to daily life—what’s inefficient, what takes too long, what causes stress.

“If three people around you are complaining about the same thing, you might have a business idea right there.”

But he also warns not to fall in love with your first idea. “Sometimes you’ll think it’s a great problem, but nobody’s willing to pay to solve it. That’s okay. Keep going. You’ll find the right one.”

Staying Grounded While Growing

Kunal is someone who has built not just companies, but communities. His businesses employ hundreds of people across India and Dubai. Yet he still believes in starting small.

“Even today, if I launch something new, I test it quietly. No hype. I just want to see if it actually helps someone. That’s the only validation I care about.”

He also surrounds himself with team members who think like builders, not trend followers. They ask tough questions, push each other, and stay focused on long-term impact.

“It’s easy to get distracted,” he says. “But if your focus is clear, your direction will follow.”

The Future: What’s Next for Kunal?

When asked what he plans to build next, Kunal smiles. “There are problems everywhere. That means opportunities everywhere.”

He hints at entering the education-tech space, particularly around practical business learning for youth in tier-2 cities. But true to his nature, he’s keeping it quiet until it’s proven to help.

“I don’t want to be first. I want to be useful.”

And maybe, that’s the most powerful thing any entrepreneur can be.

Final Thoughts

In a world that celebrates being early to a trend, Kunal Chhabra is building a legacy by being useful to people.

He doesn’t just launch businesses. He removes pain points. He creates joy. He restores efficiency. And he does it without the noise — just clarity, care, and commitment.

To every young entrepreneur wondering what to build next, his advice is simple:

“Don’t ask what’s trending. Ask what’s broken — and fix it.”

Because at the end of the day, people remember the brands that helped them, not just the ones that followed the hype.