The new wave of ‘vocal for local’ proved to be a boost for Indian entrepreneurs. It has promoted local businesses during COVID-19 and given customers the ability and motivation to shop locally with ease. This rebranded version of ‘Made In India’ has our support, and every month, TC46 will spotlight small businesses and ventures you can champion and back easily through online and offline purchases.
Artists, entrepreneurs, visionaries and experts, Indian women are shattering glass ceilings and breaking out of boxes. Success, tied with skills and hard work, is what makes those featured in our list today an inspiration for many. And the journey, for these women of incredible talent, are stories that must be told.
This week, here are some brands we’re cheering on; check them out!
Custom Fashion By Anushka Thakur Label
Founded by science student turned fashion designer and entrepreneur, Anushka Thakur runs her namesake brand. Ever since she was a child, she remembers painting and indulging in art and colours. Fashion was something she discovered while growing up and knew she wanted to launch her own clothing line. She makes sure that Indian handicraft remains a subject of pride with hand-embroidered pieces and the choice of organic fabrics in her designs. The brand uses recycled fabrics and ensures less fabric waste. Waste fabric is converted into scrunchies, coasters and wall decor. Scrap fabric is used to make cotton masks in the pandemic. She customises the designs for the customers and tries to understand their sense of fashion and comfort with budget-friendly clothes.
With the dream to enter the fashion industry since childhood, she knew she has to work hard for it. She began her journey in 2011 by graduating in fashion in 2015, worked day and night in various fashion companies and with designers to learn the intricacies. There she understood what her work and brand would showcase. This ultimate vision for her entrepreneurial aspirations led her to quit her job in 2017. She started working on the dream of her life with all the experience she had gained in former years. The brand has a long way to go in this vast clothing industry according to Anushka. She says she has just started and is grateful to her parents for being her support system.
During the initial period, to get a strong foothold, she would get her designs stitched from a manufacturer. But little by little, she started her own factory with a single machine in a small rented room in Delhi. In the 3 years that followed, Anushka Thakur Label is a notch higher and she is grateful for all the hard work that paid off.
The brand is categorised into ethnic wear, Indo-western, lehenga, gowns and sarees. The price range is between Rs 5000 to Rs 10000. Ready to wear clothing RTW kurtis, tops, pants and more items made of mainly hand-woven fabrics cost between Rs 800 to Rs 2000.
Most of the brand’s designs are available through online portals like Amazon and Limeroad, under the tag of ‘ATLabel’. You can directly place your orders via Instagram.
Eco-Tourism By IT Nature Club
Founded by Bengaluru-based entrepreneur Geetanjali Dhar, IT Nature Club is an eco-tourism venture specialising in wildlife, bird watching, and community-driven tourism. It is a rare travel company with the concept of sustainability in tourism at it’s forefront. A trained psychologist, Geetanjali visited the Tungareshwar Sanctuary. This visit birthed the idea of IT Nature Club. As a wanderer at heart, mind, feet, and soul, she set up her own company that promotes wildlife tourism.
She has been part of several initiatives bringing together rural communities into tourism. As a firm believer in using tourism as a tool for conservation, she has been working through her NGO, IT Nature Trust in creating libraries in the remotest schools through the ‘Reach To Read’ Project. Geetanjali is the winner of the best entrepreneur in the Eco-tourism sector by the Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Karnataka. As an entrepreneur, she is actively promoting conservation through many social forums. As a Rotarian, she is doing outstanding work for the environment, tourism industry and several communities.
It is perfect for anyone and everyone who loves wildlife and people who believe in adding value to the destination they travel to. Her company’s biggest achievement according to her has been to showcase the North East Region to the ‘mainland’ travellers. From Mongolia to Brazil and Rwanda to the Philippines, they offer unforgettable tours to various destinations. The price depends on the number of days and the kind of destination and the facilities that are offered during the tour.
Visit their website to know all about upcoming tours, unique tourism initiatives and more about their journey.
Personalised Natural Skincare By Arezou
Founded by an internationally certified soapmaker and a renowned aromatherapist, Ishita Sexena, Arezou is India’s first Personalised Natural Skincare brand, which curates customised skin rituals for their clients using natural, organic and gluten-free ingredients.
Being a techie and business graduate, Ishita had a comfortable corporate job which she quit to launch Arezou, a brand that handcrafts fresh products for clients as per their skin personality and goals, using only natural ingredients. She is India’s only certified soapmaker from Handcrafted Soap and Cosmetic Guild USA. She has also done an aromatherapy course from Isla Verde Spa Academy in Australia and also has studied natural oils for skincare.
Every individual’s skin is unique and so is their lifestyle and the environment they live in. With such diversity in their life, their skin sensitivities/concerns would be unique too. To address these different skin concerns the brand has off-the-shelf skincare products which do not necessarily solve the actual issue that the individual is experiencing. Arezou curates products for each individual client based on the recommendation from their Intelligent Technology Platform and using only organic, gluten-free, and ayurvedic ingredients. Each product is created specifically for the client after understanding their skin concerns and skincare goals.
Their products are handcrafted to appeal to the 3 senses:
- Natural colourants to please the eye
- Organic, gluten-free oils for a smooth touch
- Pure essential oils for a beautiful fragrance
The brand believes that skincare is a ritual where every step is a beautiful process in itself. Their rituals include:
- Face Rituals: Facial cleanser, face oil
- Body Rituals: Body bar, body oil, hand oil, foot oil
- Men’s Rituals: Shaving soap, facial cleanser, face oil
Arezou is an eco-friendly and sustainable brand where even their packaging is plastic-free. The product prices range from Rs 999 to Rs 2,999 and are most suitable for people who have intolerance and allergies to chemical-laden products and are looking for organic, gluten-free skincare options. You can buy the products on their official website and also book a free skin consultation to curate skin products.
Want us to be VocalForLocal for your brand or know someone whose work you’d like to cheer on? Drop us an email to be featured on The Channel 46 at contact@anvilmedia.in.
