Fempreneur 2023

Fashion is the very essence of my soul, my heart beats to the rhythm of its creative flow. Since my childhood, it has been my deepest desire to weave a fashion dream into a reality of my own. While studying economics and entrepreneurship at Jesus & Mary College in Delhi, I chose to follow my passion by enrolling in a diploma program for Pattern Making & Fashion Merchandising at the Pearl Academy of Fashion. Despite the challenges that life threw my way, I persevered, determined to turn my vision into a reality. In 2007, one year after my graduation and marriage, I embarked on my journey, starting with designing Kurtis and traveling far and wide to find the perfect fabrics and create captivating designs. Despite financial constraints, I never lost faith, pushing forward with determination and an unbreakable spirit. Slowly but surely, I began to build my business, participating in local exhibitions and selling my Kurtis and tunics. With the blessings of my in-laws, I was able to set up a small room at home and invest in a single machine, employing a master tailor, a lady helper, and four skilled karigars who did hand embroidery. With their support, I began to create unstitched suits with exquisite embroidery, selling them to my father's retail store and another store in South Ex. My husband and I would pack our bags and go door-to-door, showcasing our designs to prospective buyers. As my business grew, I needed more space and, with the approval of my in-laws, expanded into the basement of our home, investing in more machines and hiring additional staff. In 2011, I began producing ready-made garments like Lehanga and suits, which quickly gained popularity. Soon, I found buyers and began supplying my products to a store in the UK, achieving my first major milestone. With my eyes set on even greater goals, I registered my firm and reached out to retailers across India, eventually meeting a well-known industry expert who introduced me to well-known retail stores in Punjab. This marked my second major milestone. Undeterred by the obstacles that came my way, I continued to persevere. With the unwavering support of my family, I bought a factory in 2018 and spent a year constructing it. In August 2019, I opened the doors to my clients at my new premises, and today, my business employs a staff of 75 workers across various departments, including creative design, stitching and finishing, quality control, embroidery, and fabric purchasing. I am proud to say that my company now supplies to 13 states in India and 7 countries worldwide.My journey has been one of hard work, determination, and sacrifice, and it has culminated in the creation of my upcoming book that I hold dear to my heart. "The Art of Buying: How Indian Ethnic Wear Retailers Can Purchase Smarter and Avoid Dead Stock" is the result of my sixteen years of experience as a fashion designer, manufacturer, and wholesaler in the Indian ethnic wear industry. Through this book, I share my knowledge and experience with other retailers, offering practical advice, real-world examples, and worksheets to help them develop their own buying strategy.