With a vision to create a mindfully meaningful impact on the handwoven weaves and heritage art segment of India, Sukanya Bhataacharya founded Prathaa in 2016.

Graduating in English literature and studying Communications and Marketing in her Post Graduation, Sukanya worked as Regional Marketing Manager at HDFC Bank, Consultant – Senior Research Director at IMRB International, and National Head Marketing at Kotak Mahindra Bank.

Sukanya’s love for travel, exploration, and her immense respect for Indian art and weaves are a few factors that motivated her to lay the foundation of Prathaa. The Founder also serves as a Brand Marketing Consultant for her organization.

Prathaa celebrates the exquisite, handcrafted fabrics emerging from the heart of India, breathing, flowing, and speaking of the country’s textile heritage. As a brand,they believe in nurturing and preserving the Art and Weaves of India,by creating distinguished, easy to wear and contemporary fusion fashion apparel.

Prathaa has its expertise in showcasing its fabrics. The brand has a particular focus on modern urban women who are dynamic and are aware of their rich historical inheritance. Celebrating the glory of those women who have embraced their past with respect, enjoy the present to its fullest, and look forward to the future with optimism. In the process also creating awareness and nurturing more and more women sensitive to their core vision .

Sukanya, with her team, is making every effort to translate the inherent honesty and hard work of the Indian artisans into modern, edgy clothes which are vibrant and quirky. Her team envisions to make their customers look good and feel better in designs that are not only chic but are comfortable as well.

The designs at Prathaa are wearable as well as stylish. The apparel incorporates the qualities of women of today and showcases her confidence and beauty with the Indian feel. Each design has a story to tell, and every outfit they make goes through a unique birthing process. Mostly trying to source and use natural and breathable fabrics for their designs .

Prathaa believes that every woman is unique, and therefore the brand keeps an eye for detailing, finishing, and quality, ensuring perfection in their outfit. Rather than just being a trend follower, this brand emphasizes the quality, celebrates the uniqueness of the fabrics used and the stories behind them .

The brand firmly believes that fashion is an integrated voice of a generation that sometimes speaks the language of style or colour. Apart from everything, what everyone looks for in an attire is comfort, and at Prathaa, designs are incorporated in an outfit without compromising comfort.

Since India, like other countries, is focusing on sustainable fashion, Prathaa also focuses on doing the same, along with creating wealth for the artists at the grassroots like the weavers, karigars, and artisans making a positive difference in their lives.

Prathaa as a brand has a purpose of treading lightly and leaving a small carbon footprint.

Source: Women Entrepreneur

The post Meet Sukanya Who turned her Passion into Profession and Started “Prathaa” appeared first on The Pink Journey.

The idea of Blend Community was triggered during the pandemic when Razia saw how badly the F&B industry suffered and she wanted to help food brands revive their business without bleeding for profitability, courtesy the food aggregators. Personally, food, fashion and fiction are her passion areas, and she noticed that there weren’t any platforms that cater to these three themes specifically. She wanted to create a platform that curates and distributes relevant content all in one place rather than users having to go to different pages for different topics. That’s how the whole idea was born of creating an online community that celebrates, shares and curates stories around these three specific categories.

After establishing Blend Community, her co-founder, Hariprasad Shetty and she wanted to find a way to monetize the community they had built. That is when they got the idea for ‘Blend For Food’. With that, they are building India’s first Content to Commerce Food Tech Platform powered by Creator economy & Community Tech. BFF will be a one-stop destination for all things food. Consumers need not have different apps scattered for different needs like, ordering in from restaurants, groceries, recipes, etc. They are the only players in the market that will bring all your various food choices in one place to make it a hassle-free food ordering experience.

What gets Razia excited about her startup is the fact that this idea is still so new in the country and she doesn’t see anyone else doing it as of now. This makes her feel secure in the fact that they’re on the cusp of something extremely special.

This sense of security does not shield her from paranoia. She says that a start-up is the founder’s brain-child or baby. Due to this, the success of the start-up is a lot more personal not just tangibly but emotionally as well. Hence, there’s undeniable paranoia around “What if”. What if the brand tanks, what if no one resonates with the idea, basically what if nothing works out. However, she has found that the way to overcome that is to understand that ideas don’t exist in perfection. You’ve just got to start and keep working on perfecting it.

Being not just a start-up founder but also having a full-time corporate job definitely makes it challenging to have a work-life balance for Razia. But, she has found that finding the right partners, teammates and resources is very important in order to manage it. She believes, as you’re establishing your idea, you need to try to attract talent and team members to not only believe in your vision, but also be able to execute it. Finding the right brands and companies to partner with, is another important aspect in executing your vision the right way.

Razia Ali started her career with banking sales, but she always had a penchant towards communication which made me make an early switch to advertising. She realized she had a passion for shaping brands and consumer perceptions. She loves ideating with people from varied niches and finds great joy in helping translate them into realities. She led the Consumer and Small Business marketing efforts of a large tech company. She currently has her a full-time job while also working on her start-up. She was also an Angel Investor to aspiring Start-ups and entrepreneurs. She has leveraged her passion towards brands, fashion, food and her experience in the advertising and marketing industry and brought to life a brand and community of her own. The ability to do that, in a male-dominated, food-tech industry is what sets her apart.

Inputs- Razia Ali, Founder, Blend Community

The post Razia Ali’s Journey As An Entrepreneur appeared first on The Pink Journey.

Graduating in English literature and studying Communications and Marketing in her Post Graduation, Sukanya worked as Regional Marketing Manager at HDFC Bank, Consultant – Senior Research Director at IMRB International, and National Head Marketing at Kotak Mahindra Bank.

Sukanya’s love for travel, exploration, and her immense respect for Indian art and weaves are a few factors that motivated her to lay the foundation of Prathaa. The Founder also serves as a Brand Marketing Consultant for her organization. Prathaa celebrates the exquisite, handcrafted fabrics emerging from the heart of India, breathing, flowing, and speaking of the country’s textile heritage. As a brand, they believe in nurturing and preserving the Art and Weaves of India, by creating distinguished, easy to wear and contemporary fusion fashion apparel.

Prathaa has its expertise in showcasing its fabrics. The brand has a particular focus on modern urban women who are dynamic and are aware of their rich historical inheritance. Celebrating the glory of those women who have embraced their past with respect, enjoy the present to its fullest, and look forward to the future with optimism. In the process also creating awareness and nurturing more and more women sensitive to their core vision .

Sukanya, with her team, is making every effort to translate the inherent honesty and hard work of the Indian artisans into modern, edgy clothes which are vibrant and quirky. Her team envisions to make their customers look good and feel better in designs that are not only chic but are comfortable as well.

The designs at Prathaa are wearable as well as stylish. The apparel incorporates the qualities of women of today and showcases her confidence and beauty with the Indian feel. Each design has a story to tell, and every outfit they make goes through a unique birthing process. Mostly trying to source and use natural and breathable fabrics for their designs.

Prathaa believes that every woman is unique, and therefore the brand keeps an eye for detailing, finishing, and quality, ensuring perfection in their outfit. Rather than just being a trend follower, this brand emphasizes the quality, celebrates the uniqueness of the fabrics used and the stories behind them .

The brand firmly believes that fashion is an integrated voice of a generation that sometimes speaks the language of style or colour. Apart from everything, what everyone looks for in an attire is comfort, and at Prathaa, designs are incorporated in an outfit without compromising comfort. Since India, like other countries, is focusing on sustainable fashion, Prathaa also focuses on doing the same, along with creating wealth for the artists at the grassroots like the weavers, karigars, and artisans making a positive difference in their lives.

Prathaa as a brand has a purpose of treading lightly and leaving a small carbon footprint.

The post Prathaa: Sukanya’s Passion Turned Into Profession appeared first on The Pink Journey.

Aditi Kapur Chawla, an entrepreneur, a mother, a wife and a woman – started The Leather Story right before the world came to a halt in lieu of Covid-19. Even with the challenges faced as a new brand, the world crisis did not stop Aditi from pursing her passion for shaping a brand that speaks all things accessories. One thing that keeps her going is the constant urge to learn and evolve in the lifestyle space. As an independent business owner, her advice to other young entrepreneurs is to constantly keep ideating to think outside the box.

One example from her own personal experience, is of The Leather Story itself. The brand was launched in February 2020 keeping gifting category in mind, and in lieu of the unprecedented times the brand shifted gears to diversify and add value to it’s customers and the market needs. Given the times when travel was at hault, Aditi came up with an interesting category called ‘Work from home’ that further evolved to add Tech Accessories, keeping the changing shift of real to reel life.

Given the circumstances, a homegrown premium brand would usually shy away from experimenting product categories, yet Aditi choose to take the plunge based on her learning about the market gap in leather accessories for the modern Indian who would love to organize by investing in products that add value for purchase.

“We as women, usually forget that we foster a very strong community amongst ourselves & can be great strengths to each other. It’s about breaking that barrier to enroll in communities that offer to learn a lot from fellow entrepreneurs.”
Aditi Kapur Chawla, Founder, The Leather Story

Apart from learning and growing, and being a brand amidst the pandemic, Aditi comes with a fair share of her own challenges and lessons even after being fortunate enough to not face major discrimination as a woman. Considering her years of past experience in the industry, she believes every start-up faces speed breakers. To name a few, it could vary from registering a company, having an office address, shaping agreements that validate your business, and more. These barriers, tend to become irritant when the process prolongs over a period of time. Having said that, Aditi believes women can multi-task, and if that can be played as your strength – this quality can help any start-up that requires management for its early days.

Being a part of the startup journey, Aditi found herself being the sole person behind everything the brand required, from QC to packaging to even coordinating with the logistic partner. Rather than letting these factors demotivate her, she took it as an opportunity to plan ways of working and designed an SOP that could be followed by her team.

Some insightful takeback from Aditi that young entrepreneurs can stand by are as follows:

• Before you launch, indulge in objective research and learn about your audience by reaching out to them to understanding exactly what they want or what they are missing. Ensure your idea fulfills that need.
• Add value to product or service that fulfills or solve a problem.
• Be open to any feedback and constructive criticism, as you’ll always need a Devils’s advocate to keep you ideating.
• Lastly, Don’t give up on your belief and accept failures as it’s true, that you can’t keep everyone happy, you’re not selling ice-cream! Even if you are, there will always be someone who dislikes a flavor.So, get going, ideate, evolve, innovate and keep up the spark, as no one will ever believe in your idea as much as you do. All you need is to catch on a wave that takes you on a ride and solves a problem or adds value to a need. Rest, we all sail though the rough waters to reach the island called success.

  For more details and to purchase, visit: www.theleatherstory.com

  Instagram: www.instagram.com/theleatherstoryofficial/

  About The Leather Story

  The Leather Story is a unique tale of design and artistry, offering a wide range of unisex products to make organizing stylish. All the products they offer are of premium quality, with a collection created to fit the modern lifestyle.

  Watch Organizer Collection

  

The post Behind The Leather Story’s – Aditi Kapur Chawla’s Success Mantra appeared first on The Pink Journey.

I worked as an intrapreneur and leading member of the management team at Orienta Cine Advertising for over a decade and held the position of Vice President – Business Development at Orienta Cine Advertising.

The position always gave a pride tag and also unconsciously drove me into a comfort zone. All it needed a jolt which was really unexpected and got me into the nowhere zone when the media industry was worst hit along with some other key industries like travel and so on. It gave me alarming bells and I never wanted to pile on understanding the situation of the market. Thus, I decided to move on from the company which I can proudly say that I developed from scratch and poured my heart and soul to build it. It was never easy but that’s where lied the discomfort and I really wanted to break the shackles which seem to me as freedom and comfort but instead made me helpless.

I spoke my heart to my best buddy who is my life partner, Sachin, and he was there with me as always to not only support me but gave me confidence enough to look for bigger opportunities in life as he said, “There is always an opportunity, you just need to back yourself.” We just started with the dream project of penning down a book Rising Stars a book series of 27 entrepreneurs and achievers and it was dream of Sachin which we together completed it with an overwhelming response and published it in India, Singapore & Malaysia as well on the online platforms like Amazon & Flipkart.

It was unbelievable experience although uncomfortable but it was just the beginning where we not only explored new avenues but also begun with new venture and thus, we started using our experience of cumulatively over 25 years into developing brands.

Today, we have established two ventures under which we focus on developing brand concepts & content which was Sachin’s initiative since 2016, IceFactory & Rising Stars Productions. It was a blessing in disguise where I explored the unknown avenues and found a new entrepreneur and also an Author. I learned that even a locked door can be unlocked if you have the right companion and optimistic attitude.

I am an expert in the domain of innovation and activation in Brand promotions. In my experience of more than 12 years, I have worked with top brands across various sectors like healthcare, FMCG, fashion, entertainment, automobile etc., and film production houses, media companies, highly premium Malls and much more.

I have been instrumental in conceptualizing and driving innovative digital outdoor advertising solutions for Brands like HUL, Google, Netflix, Tanishq etc. As part of this innovation, I designed and directed the creation and installation of the state-of-the-art 360-degree outdoor Digital ADSAT at Bangalore International Airport. I also play a key role in building and maintaining strategic relationships with brands, top advertising agencies, vendors and shopping malls.

With a portfolio of in-film advertising, brand collaboration, brand promotions, digital outdoor innovation, brand association, brand make-over, brand activation, media buying and planning, BTL strategies and Pan-India execution, I am focused on shaping the company’s overall business development and strategically taking the company to become one of the most admired and leading agencies in India.

I hold a Master’s Degree in Entrepreneurship and also a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism. I was also the President of Rotaract Club during my college days. I am passionate about animal welfare, women empowerment and youth empowerment. I have been invited as a speaker at many top-level events to speak on business models, challenges, strategies and guiding the youth towards productive career choices.

My latest endeavor is to provide brands an opportunity for escalating their positioning and optimizing their brand presence. I am an Authorpreneur along with Sachin Ruparel and together we have conceptualized Rising Stars, a book series that captures stories of entrepreneurs, their journey and through this book, we aim to innovate, inspire and involve Entrepreneurs and Brands.

I staunchly believe that women entrepreneurs are making a global impact and are crossing boundaries to take India to places across the world. These women, who have fearlessly pursued their passion against all odds are an inspiration for the society and their journey and values have a cascading effect of encouragement on all those who learn about them. I also believe that we are a reflection of the people around us, of what we read and choose to imbibe in us.

The post LOCKDOWN UNLOCKED MANY OPPORTUNITIES- By Manisha Mange Ruparel appeared first on The Pink Journey.

A 19-year-old Economics student from Jaipur, Rajasthan, Rashi Vashisth, saw the pandemic as a perfect opportunity to make the digital space more affordable and accessible to businesses, and at the same time add value to their brands.

After working for several brands as a digital marketer, her quest for perfection led her to the idea of starting the Shag Infotech. As believed, with an efficient team, she can add more value to the brand’s identity than just creating social media and managing their accounts.

In a generation where the entire world has shrunk into the 6-inch screens of mobile phones, a good digital presence is a must to increase the brand awareness of the business.

Rashi’s efforts to make the digital space more accessible to the businesses and build a digital marketing agency that personalizes the entire experience for the businesses is a huge step in the direction. In a few months, Rashi and the team of Shag Infotech have established an astounding client base. The team has supported the clients in each step from executing the brand campaigns to establishing a firm brand name in the market, as Shag Infotech perceives itself as the extension of the internal team of the client.

“The needs of the small businesses, who are unable to afford the services of the top-notch agencies and lag when it comes to making a mark in the digital space. The step of making the services affordable and accessible will enable the start-ups and small businesses which came up in the pandemic to take advantage of the platform provided by the digital media to spread awareness and build their brand,” said Rashi Vashisth, Founder, Shag Infotech Private Limited.

Women became the driving force and have been leading several start-ups in the country. The start-up boom in the country has reinforced the agenda of women’s empowerment in the country. Rashi Vashisth is a living testimonial of the fresh perspective and innovative ideas that women can bring to the workplace. The success of Shag Infotech and the contribution of Rashi in building the brand is an inspiration to the young girls who are aiming to get into the world of business.

On this women’s day, we celebrate the success of innovative women like Rashi Vashisth and others who are changing the outlook of entrepreneurial organizations and businesses by being leaders of the changing future.

The post Shag Infotech Private Limited: Changing the Scenario of Digital Marketing appeared first on The Pink Journey.

Let’s first try and understand what is self-care exactly? It’s the thoughtful practice of protecting and improving your physical and mental health with balanced lifestyle as the lever. In these stressful and uncertain times, self-care is ever so critical. Self-care includes eating well, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, maintaining a robust social network, tending to our spiritual needs, looking after our financial security, and so much more; think of it as the art of loving oneself. Ahead are a few ways to add self-care to your everyday life.

EXERCISE & FITNESS – Regular physical activity is critical for good physical and mental health. It helps improve your overall health and fitness, maintain a healthy weight, reduce your risk for many chronic diseases, while promoting good mental health. While almost every woman knows that exercise is beneficial, they have very little time for it as they remain busy with their families and careers. Going to the gym, going for a walk, working out with friends, or even doing Yoga in an already packed schedule may sound impossible. Plus, finding time for these activities becomes a constraint and our daily chores, and work pressures keep mounting. Most women at this juncture choose to prioritize their household and workplace responsibilities, over making time for exercise & fitness. Women should work towards making exercise a part of their daily routine, much like brushing your teeth or having a bath.

DISCIPLINE – Some people thrive on routine and discipline while others shun it. There is no denying that self-care takes planning and dedication. A bubble bath once or a yoga session once a month will not have any long-term impact. To achieve some level of fitness and happiness, you have to install a bit of routine and discipline into your life. Many women crave routine (even if subconsciously) because routines allow you to create structure and predictability in your life. They allow you to feel safe, making us feel comfortable and happy.

SPEND 30 MINUTES EVERY DAY IN SELF-CARE ACTIVITIES – When people are expected to work long hours and feel the constant need to be productive, it takes away opportunities for self-care. But by taking some time out to engage in self-care, you may relieve the pressures of everyday life and reset yourself to a healthy point where productivity is once again maximized. Remember that self-care is all about you. What works for one person may not work for another, but that’s the beauty of a self-care routine. Even if you only have 5-minute increments spread throughout the day to engage in self-care, that is better than nothing. Some popular forms of self-care include physical exercises, meditation, Yoga, reading, and pursuing a hobby.

PREVENTIVE HEALTHCARE – The aim of preventive healthcare in women is to promote health and prevent diseases. It involves scheduling regular health check-ups, routine Pap smears and Mammograms, taking preventative care against things like HPV, Ovarian Cancer and Breast Cancer, and overall doing what is in your body’s best interest. The first and most crucial step to preventing ordinary women’s health issues is being educated about what causes these problems and what you can do to avoid them. Therefore, speak to your General Physician and OB/GYN about any concerns you may have, what health problems you should watch out for, possible health issues in your family, and any other questions you may have. For instance, one of the most common and most serious health problems in women is Breast Cancer. That is why every woman over the age of 40yrs should be undergoing routine Mammogram screenings to check for the disease so preventative steps can be taken before it is too late.

In conclusion, remember that everything you do today—the food you eat, the exercise you choose, your sleep, stress, and the self-care routine that you practice, will affect your health and wellness in the long run. Start today, because empowering yourself has to begin with you.

Authored by Dr Supriya Amey, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital, Kalyan

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