Lovjit Thukral, who recently ended his seven-year tenure at JPMorgan, has embarked on an entrepreneurial journey that diverges significantly from his academic and professional background. Thukral, holding a PhD in mathematical finance, was formerly an executive director and strategist within the bank’s credit index and derivatives team. He has now taken the helm of a Black Sheep Coffee franchise on London Wall and is also marketing a high-end vodka brand.
“I’ve made quite a significant shift,” Thukral said. “I’ve transitioned away from my academic and financial roots to start something new from scratch. It’s a completely different kind of challenge.”
Thukral’s foray into the vodka business began while he was still at JPMorgan. The success of his vodka brand, Desi Daru, spurred him to leave his banking career behind. The brand has garnered multiple awards, and Thukral is expanding its distribution, including a deal with Harvey Nichols. “I realized that if I didn’t fully commit to the vodka business now, I might regret it later,” Thukral explained. “I’ve invested heavily in it – even the bottle is custom-made in Italy.” Priced at £39 and boasting a five-star rating on Amazon, Desi Daru has been praised as “stunning” and “the daddy.” Thukral emphasized its premium quality, developed in collaboration with “vodka consultants,” and noted the market’s relative scarcity of high-end vodka compared to gin brands.
In addition to his vodka venture, Thukral took over the London Wall branch of Black Sheep Coffee last September. He attributes the successful operation of the coffee shop to hiring an efficient day-to-day manager. “I visit occasionally to ensure everything is running smoothly, but I stay closely involved. Opening it was quite stressful,” he admitted.
Thukral’s entrepreneurial spirit mirrors that of his father, who also transitioned from academia to various business ventures. “He was the pioneer of the video rental service in our country,” Thukral shared. “Then he ventured into post offices and other interesting projects.”
While Thukral has left his banking career, he hasn’t entirely severed ties with the financial industry. As he looks to scale Desi Daru, he anticipates seeking external investment, potentially tapping into his network of former JPMorgan colleagues.