Let me discuss some I encountered before I elaborate my journey

  • I wanted a fair priced store providing good quality authentic textiles. To create an ecosystem for the Weavers. More sale will convert to production. It does not work like that. People actually questioned my fair pricing thinking I was fake. An identical product in a similar branded store was pricier. Non handmade were pricier. A brand sold regardless. One needed that to start with. Unlike olden times. The new world tortoise has no patience like I didn’t.
  • My research was faulty. I had no idea that there was a boutique in every other home. Part time housewife entrpreneurs.
  • I was a non fashion person and was unaware of techniques and cheat sheet. As an example I panicked at the thought of having duplicates. I could vary the warp and weft.
  • I wanted to present a variety to test the market preference. A friend had said “Focus on one thing”. I panicked the moment my sales dropped. Also because I had expenses and I was dipping into savings. I continued experimenting to catch eyeballs. A huge error of judgement. And misuse of scarce funds. I did not have very deep pockets and could not afford multiple mistakes.
  • Beautifully curated events which everyone lauded me for DID NOT add to sales. The same loyalists came in every time. Déjà vu
  • SMM – I blew up money on others. At least 10 who did not understand my product. Also you give peanuts and you get monkeys. Beware. It works but only for a very professional and committed team. Maybe in-house. I did not trust my instinct and depended on others.
  • I had many loves. Upcycling being one. The world was not ready for it.
  • I tried to keep my individuality. My colour palette. One weaver disdainfully looked at the chosen colours and expressed He was right to an extent. One has to reach out

As I said earlier. A test Prep and Textiles are not aligned or even parallel to each other. Very different paradigms of functioning.