As the world grapples with critical challenges such as climate change and pollution, the term “sustainability” has become one of the most important words of our time.
According to a survey conducted by the Mahindra Group, 88 percent of Indians now want to live in a more sustainable mainstream Nikita Agarwal, from Siliguri, describes herself as “obsessed with sustainability.” However, the former 29-year-old Air Asia crew member found herself in flux while attempting to redecorate her home with environmentally friendly decorations.
Sustainable decorations
Suvnik Concierge Services Pvt Ltd, a handicraft company, started selling jute rugs along with cane baskets and boxes.
While looking for vendors to redecorate her home in Northeast India, particularly Assam and Sikkim, Nikita was also looking for people to join her new business.The co-founder also created an Instagram account and began posting pictures of the products.
Her brothers, Nikhil and Suraj Agarwal, who had been struggling to keep their travel company afloat due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s disruption, joined the project and invested Rs 5 lakh from their travel company.
Overcoming obstacles
One of the startup’s initial challenges was persuading locals in Siliguri to purchase their products. The handicraft startup, which started selling offline through a physical store in Siliguri, attempted to educate customers who came to their location. However, creating local demand proved to be a significant challenge that set them back at least a year. The trio then decided to launch their own website to sell their products online.
Corporates and wedding planners were the first customers, looking for unique gift ideas
“That’s where a lot of our boxes and baskets ended up,” Nikita says. Many hotels began purchasing their products as interior decoration as the second wave faded and the travel industry opened up. Since then, the company has expanded into categories such as stationery, personal care, and home décor.
These items come from artisans and vendors in Manipur, a state known for its cane products. Tripura provides bamboo products, while Maharashtra provides earthen products, among other states in India. Idhiyaan Handicrafts works with 30-40 vendors and artisans, purchasing their products in bulk at wholesale prices and reselling them after adding their own profit margin. The company refused to reveal its profit margins.
