Sigmund Freud would have to scrap his penis-envy theory because now, women can stand and pee.
Four couples set out on a journey to explore the beauty of nature. They had to pass through the human concrete jungles. While men had a fun time finishing the lemonade reserves, the women kept themselves away from drinking too much. Consuming liquid meant then having to pay a visit to the filthy toilets that had been abandoned by the government long before they abandoned our potholes. This was noticed by a man who then decided to make a product for the better.
Pee Buddy was introduced by Deep Bajaj after this personal experience sparked an idea, followed by flashbacks of the troubles faced by his pregnant wife and a mother with arthritis. This product’s first and foremost concern is hygiene. Now you can avoid UTI’s and refrain from dirty toilets. It’s a simple use-and-throw device that lets women stand and pee in unfriendly toilets. We asked Deep about his journey with an unusual product.
Did you get the design of the product on the first go?
I first tried using circular shapes. Initially, I took a bottle and tried making it into a funnel, but that didn’t work out. Then I tried using the cylindrical shape, but that also didn’t actualize. We had tested multiple options before this product came out. Then we applied for patent design and realized I’m not the only Einstein. Some people had made plastic funnels already so I couldn’t get the main patent, but I got a design patent.
Who tried the first product?
My wife, aur Kaun Karega? (who else will do it?) Charity happens at home. We tried multiples shapes, and she was kind enough to play along. Once we finalized the product, I gave it to the couples who came with us on that road trip to test it. I think around 300-400 people tried the product before we launched it.
Being a man who is trying to be a woman’s PeeBuddy, you must be getting judged all the time.
Oh, yeah! All the time. First time, I was even asked to get out of the office. Initially, I thought the stores will love it because there is a problem and I am offering a solution, but it wasn’t that simple. So, I got all kind of looks. The packaging that time also was very different. The person thought I was just kidding, but when he realized I’m serious, he said ‘Go, go, go!’ I still remember those words. People do keep asking me why there are no females onboard. It’s not like I don’t want them in my team. But men also do understand these problems. I launched this product because of a personal experience. We are trying to solve all women related hygiene problem.
While you are solving one problem, don’t you think it is adding to another considering it’s a use-and-throw product?
Not really, it’s a biodegradable product and a little bit of cardboard. The product in itself is not plastic, so it’s good both for women and the environment.
Tell us about other products you are working on.
One is the disposable bag for pads and tampons. Second is India’s first herbal feminine pain relief for period cramps. We are going after intimate products mostly to make their travel and life better.
How have men reacted to Pee Buddy?
The educated ones don’t have a problem, but the uneducated lot keeps trolling. I don’t care much about it. I am called the Pee Man of India or Pee Buddy of India. But as long as the problem gets solved, other things don’t matter. It’s not a concept that we are trying to validate. There is a need for this in the market. Although most men are appreciative of this product. Anyone who had seen the struggles of his daughter during marathons or treks can relate to it.
Raising funding must have been challenging.
It was challenging initially because nothing like this had ever existed. We were trying to build up a product company in the sector of intimate hygiene for women which is not a very open concept. But later we found few investors who saw our drive and the need for such a product in the market. Most of them are men actually.
It seems like a fun concept, but it is actually solving a big issue.
Absolutely! Everyday 5 lakh women travel through the Delhi Metro and about 20 lakh women travel in Mumbai locals. 60% of women will get at least one UTI in their lifetime. The problem is quite great. Pregnant women are traveling, women are running marathons, and there are no clean toilets. This is the reason we are persevering with our success.
How is it for a male feminist in India?
I’ll tell you. A while ago BBC had done a story on us both in English and Hindi. With the English one, I got all praises. For the Hindi one, I got the best of bad words. I am a typically Punjabi guy, and I thought nobody knew cuss words better than me, but I got to learn very innovative words through those feedbacks.
For me, negativity doesn’t matter. I am very open to constructive criticism. It is India, we are a billion here, so we will have a billion opinions. Today every company has negative criticism. It is the conviction from our side that matters.
Tell us one funny pee buddy story.
I remember getting shortlisted in the finals at one of the events. When I went to pitch, one investor asked me why we don’t have any woman onboard. So, I replied saying, ‘Sir, don’t you think men understand women more than women know themselves?’ I think that was something that sealed the argument and that’s something I always have in my mind. There are many heart-touching stories that I have come across.
We would love to hear those stories.
There was this army man who wrote a really heartfelt email. We even got him on our show. He told us about how his cancer-surviving wife has started living a better life because of Pee Buddy. People will cancer are very prone to infections so she wouldn’t step out of the house, but now she has started traveling a little bit.
That is the story that changed my perspective on the product. Initially, we decided to only keep it to pregnancy and arthritis but then this angle came about. Even a national cyclist wrote to us saying how she used to do smaller circles because there were no clean washrooms and you drink a lot of water while cycling. Now she can go through highways without worrying much about washrooms. So, these kinds of stories keep you going.
Who are women buddies in your life who have always had your back?
My wife. My mother and all the girls in the team. Actually professionally, each and every customer who is standing by us.