Hala, a student of our MSc International HRM programme, recently had the privilege of attending Sam Mwaura’s ‘Planning for a Start-Up’ course at the University of Edinburgh Business School. Here Hala tells us that the highlight of the session was a guest talk by Janani Prabhakaran, founder of Unbaggaged, the world’s first on-demand luggage management network. Her business addresses a common travel pain point: where to store bags during layovers or after checking out of accommodations.
A collection of three blue suitcases lined up

Through Unbaggaged, travellers can conveniently arrange for their luggage to be picked up, stored, and delivered to a location of their choice—all managed through a simple connection with local taxi drivers. Janani shared not only the story of her startup but also the valuable lessons she learned in her entrepreneurship classes and how they continue to shape her approach to business.

The Spark of Innovation: From Frustration to Creation

Janani’s entrepreneurial journey began in a moment of frustration. She had missed an expensive flight to India because of difficulties in moving her luggage to the airport on time. As a student, she couldn’t afford a new plane ticket, so she had no choice but to take a long bus ride from London to Glasgow. Sitting on that bus, she began to think about the frustrations many travellers face when it comes to luggage storage and transport.

As she reflected on her experience and researched the issue further, she discovered that 30% of travellers struggle with similar luggage logistics. While that number might seem small, platforms like Airbnb cater to over a billion guests each year, revealing a significant market gap. It was in that moment of personal hardship that Unbaggaged was born—an idea to help travellers by offering a more flexible and convenient solution for luggage management.

The next day, she took her idea to her university’s entrepreneurial hub. Armed with the Business Model Canvas—a tool she credits as a "snapshot of a business plan"—she quickly mapped out the core aspects of her business. Within a week, Unbaggaged had a solid plan, and despite launching in 2021 during the global pandemic, the company found early success with no marketing budget.

The Growth Mindset: Building Resilience in Business

One of the most compelling parts of Janani’s talk was her emphasis on the growth mindset—something she first learned about during an accelerator program with the Royal Bank of Scotland. The growth mindset, she explained, is essential for entrepreneurs because it drives continual learning, resilience, and adaptability. She contrasted it with a fixed mindset, where people avoid challenges and stick to routines.

For Janani, embracing a growth mindset meant confronting the inevitable failures that come with entrepreneurship. She shared how personal capital—discipline, overcoming impostor syndrome, and maintaining motivation—was her biggest struggle. It required her to push herself every day, reminding herself that no one else would be there to drive her forward. This mindset was crucial in helping her bounce back from setbacks and find innovative solutions when resources were limited.

Social Capital: The Power of Networking

Janani also highlighted the importance of social capital, the relationships and networks that entrepreneurs build over time. She recounted how her network grew from university lectures, mentors, and various accelerator programs she participated in. These connections not only provided her with market insights but also led to funding opportunities and free publicity for Unbaggaged.

Her story of securing a pitch on Dragons’ Den in 2024, thanks to the free PR her company received, underscored the importance of leveraging relationships to access resources, often without the need for significant capital investment. She emphasised that building these relationships took years of consistent effort, but they paid off in ways she never expected, including securing funding to expand to Glasgow and Manchester in 2023.

Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Janani concluded her talk with three pieces of advice for budding entrepreneurs:

  1. Leverage Free Resources: Don’t rush to raise money early on. Instead, use grants, free PR, and networking opportunities to get your business off the ground while maintaining control over your equity.
  2. Be Disciplined and Resilient: Entrepreneurship comes with sacrifices, including the lack of job security and time for family and friends. However, the ability to bounce back after failures and to stay motivated through difficult times is critical.
  3. Adapt to Change: The business you start with will not be the same one you end up with. The market, customer needs, and global circumstances like COVID-19 will force you to pivot. Stay flexible, and continuously refine your business model as new challenges and opportunities arise.

Janani’s story was an inspiring reminder that entrepreneurship is a journey filled with ups and downs. The growth mindset, social capital, and the tools learned in entrepreneurship classes can be powerful assets to navigate that journey. Her talk left us with a renewed sense of purpose and practical strategies for turning our own ideas into successful ventures.