Shubham Pille | Ukiyo Stays
The luxury travel industry is booming, with travelers seeking more than just a hotel room. Looking for a truly personalized luxury? Imagine a vacation where every detail is curated to your preferences, from your dream villa to bespoke experiences. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, it’s a reality with Ukiyo Stays. A premium platform made to curate unforgettable luxury vacations in exclusive villas, mansions, and apartments.
Founded in 2021 by a dynamic quartet—Shubham Pille (CEO), Pinnac Yeddy (CMO), Taisin Qureshi (COO), and Suhel Shaikh (CSO)—Ukiyo Stays identified a gap in the luxury villa rental market: a lack of consistent quality and personalized experiences.
Ukiyo Stays meticulously checks each property to ensure it meets the highest standards of luxury, comfort, and style. Their deep commitment to incredible service is possible with their 24/7 available team. This team curates bespoke experiences for each guest, from arranging fine dining experiences to hidden gem recommendations.
In this interview, Ukiyo Stays’ Co-founder & CEO, Shubham Pille, tells about the company’s vision, his entrepreneurial journey, and valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Don’t miss this insightful interview with Shubham Pille in India’s The 10 Visionary CEOs Shaping the Future in 2024 edition. Learn from his experiences and valuable lessons to excel and make your company the best it can be!
Tycoon Insights: Give an overview of the company and its offerings.
Ukiyo Stays was born from a passion for luxury travel and a desire to provide exceptional experiences. It is a premium platform for providing better luxury stays. We curate a collection of high-end villas, mansions, and exclusive apartments, ensuring that each property meets our stringent standards of quality and comfort.
Ukiyo Stays curates a selection of luxury villas and apartments, partnering with renowned brands like Stay Vista and Saffron Stays, Stay Elivaas and Ama Stays. Our 24/7 service ensures personalized experiences, making us the go-to choice for selective travelers looking for unforgettable stays.
Tycoon Insights: Brief us on the origin story of the company.
The inception of Ukiyo Stays happened with a team of young entrepreneurs who saw a growing demand for upscale stays that seamlessly combine sophistication with outstanding service. As travelers ourselves, my co-founders—Pinnac Yeddy (CMO), Taisin Qureshi (COO), Suhel Shaikh (CSO), and I—were frustrated by the lack of quality in the luxury villa rental market.
We founded Ukiyo Stays in 2021 to revolutionize luxury travel. Frustrated by the lack of personalized experiences, we selected a collection of exclusive villas and apartments, each carefully chosen for its luxury and uniqueness. Our 24/7 team confirms that every guest’s stay is customized to their preferences. Ukiyo Stays has quickly gained a name in the luxury villa rental market by giving personalized service and exceptional experiences.
Tycoon Insights: How have you maintained a balance between your personal and professional lives?
Balancing work and life as a startup CEO is a constant challenge. The demands of running Ukiyo Stays are intense, requiring constant attention and dedication. However, with a strong team, a supportive family, and a passion for what I do, I’m able to navigate these early years. While my work-life balance might be challenging right now, I’m confident that with time and growth, I’ll find a better equilibrium.
Tycoon Insights: Being a CEO, is your story of struggle any different from others?
As a CEO and entrepreneur, I’d say every leader faces their own unique blend of challenges, but today’s technological advances and the seamless availability of a wide range of services across borders bring a whole new set of hurdles. In today’s age, the opportunities available to entrepreneurs are vast, yet so are the levels of competition and complexity. The digital age has made it easier to connect with customers, but it’s also increased competition. Balancing AI and the human touch is important, as automation can improve efficiency, but human ingenuity remains irreplaceable. In the luxury villa industry, we aim to provide world-class experiences without compromising accessibility. The key is to keep our brand’s core values while adapting to changing trends and customer expectations.
Tycoon Insights: What kind of clients do you serve?
At Ukiyo Stays, we provide to a diverse clientele, from celebrities and business leaders to the growing middle class. We’ve been fortunate to host renowned personalities like Rajkummar Rao and Sara Ali Khan, who appreciated our personalized service and luxurious accommodation. Our focus on providing unforgettable experiences has resulted in an impressive 80% repeat customer rate. Whether it’s a family vacation, a corporate retreat, or a romantic getaway, we try to surpass expectations and create lasting memories.
Tycoon Insights: How do you keep up the pace with the evolving market trends?
Staying ahead in the hospitality industry requires constant adaptation. We closely observe consumer trends and use data analytics to understand our guests’ changing needs. We ensure that Ukiyo Stays remains at the top of luxury travel by collaborating with industry experts and technology. We’re committed to continuous innovation, from upgrading our platform to optimizing internal processes, all while prioritizing exceptional guest experiences.
Tycoon Insights: Do you believe R&D is essential for the growth of the company?
R&D is the heartbeat of our innovation at Ukiyo Stays. We continually improve our services and elevate the guest experience by understanding our guests’ evolving preferences and using technology. This allows us to stay ahead of the curve and maintain our position as a leader in the luxury travel industry.
Tycoon Insights: Do you feel CEOs today face equal competition, or is there an ‘it’s okay’ attitude to it?
Competition in today’s market is fierce, and complacency is a luxury we can’t afford. The digital age has leveled the playing field, and customers demand excellence. We must innovate, adapt, and outperform our competitors. We can differentiate ourselves and ensure our continued success by understanding our customers’ needs and leveraging technology.
Tycoon Insights: How necessary do you feel it is to keep your employees content? How do you ensure it?
A happy and engaged workforce is essential for business success. I believe in creating a culture of transparency, trust, and empowerment. I build a positive and productive work environment by giving employees roles according to their strengths and providing regular feedback. This boosts employee morale and gives outstanding performance and client satisfaction.
Tycoon Insights: Who do you look up to, and what do you convey further to the ones who look up to you?
I look up to brands like Taj and Oberoi, which have set the gold standard in hospitality, not only in terms of service excellence but also in how they’ve built strong, lasting brand identities. I believe in the power of empathy and personalized service. My goal is to create unforgettable memories for our guests. I tell others to stay grounded, dedicated, and open to innovation. We can achieve long-lasting success by staying true to our values.
Tycoon Insights: What are your thoughts on CEOs’ participation in the entrepreneurial world?
As a CEO, I aim to keep a balance between control and empowerment. I build a culture of transparency, trust, and open communication. I create an environment where innovation and creativity can flourish by example and empowering my team. This collaborative approach is essential for the growth and success of Ukiyo Stays.
Tycoon Insights: What message do you want to give to those CEOs who give up on their dreams because of some stereotypes?
Everyone tells you to ‘never give up,’ but the truth is that persistence alone is not enough. The key to truly overcoming obstacles is understanding why certain things you’re working on aren’t yielding the results you expect. Instead of just pushing forward blindly, take a moment to analyze, learn, and course-correct.
When rough waters hit—and they will—you need to be prepared with the right tools, mindset, and strategies to navigate those challenges with confidence.
Continuous learning is key to success. Don’t be afraid to seek insights from everyone, from your team to your customers. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.
Entrepreneurship is the marathon, and staying adaptable and connected is vital. Remember, your greatest ideas might come from the most unexpected places.
Tycoon Insights: What does the company hold for it in the future?
Our vision for Ukiyo Stays is to create a comprehensive luxury travel experience. We’re expanding our platform to offer a wider range of services, from property management to bespoke event planning. We’re committed to sustainability and innovation, ensuring that every stay is not just luxurious but also responsible. Our goal is to be the premier choice for discerning travelers seeking unforgettable experiences.
Tycoon Insights: What milestones and achievements does the company boast of?
Ukiyo Stays has achieved significant milestones in a short span. As a bootstrapped startup, we generated `12 crores in revenue last year, with over 20,000 guests hosted across India and internationally. We’ve built strong partnerships with more than 50 travel companies, further solidifying our position in the market.
We won India’s Leading Brand—Rising Star at The Brand Story—Asian Brand and Leadership Conclave 2024. Our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has also led to a 80% repeat customer rate, underscoring the trust and loyalty we’ve built with our clients.
Tycoon Insights: How are you giving back to society (CSR)?
As a three-year-old startup, Ukiyo Stays is still in the early stages of building its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Ukiyo Stays is committed to CSR. We’re supporting education in rural areas and promoting sustainable travel. Our goal is to be a responsible business, making a positive impact on the world.
Tycoon Insights: Finally, is there a message you would like to give to Tycoon Insights readers?
Stay curious and embrace challenges. The journey of an entrepreneur is full of twists and turns, but it’s the ability to adapt and learn that sets us apart. At Ukiyo Stays, we prioritize innovation and continuous improvement. Remember, success isn’t just about reaching goals but creating lasting value. Stay true to your vision, embrace change, and strive for excellence.
