Dreams are ‘disruptive’. For, realising a long-nurtured dream involves making changes in our lives. And change is always disruptive. We however enjoy this disruption, because it leads us on an exciting new journey, one we have always wanted to undertake but never dared to.
When Saji Vaidyanathan started an exclusive women’s boutique in Thoraipakkam in April 2012, she was welcoming disruption into her life. Until then, she was working in the human resources domain, her last job being with APL Global International School, where she headed the HR department. Establishing a boutique was a dream she nurtured from youth and when it finally happened, she was almost ready for all the challenges of running such an enterprise.
Samriddhi, as the boutique is called, started with fashion jewellery, fabrics and accessories. As she went about building the brand, Saji applied certain time-tested principles of entrepreneurship.
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One of them is the speed factor. She did not take much time to expand the business, which now has its own embroidery design and in-house tailoring units. Saji wanted to start a boutique primarily to give wings to the designer in her. Thanks to these units, she can be a designer.
“We have five tailors and a couple of ‘master tailors’. They are source of great support to us,” says Saji, who finalises all the designs. “We blend ethnic with contemporary designs. The latest trend is long kurtis in digital prints and synthetic fabrics. Our primary area of focus includes embroidery, bridal embroidery and stitching,” she says.
The outlet now stocks exclusive fashion jewellery, handbags, salwar suits, kurtis, and anarkali suits. “We have a collection of exclusive fabrics at the store.”
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Saji sets great story by innovation.
“At present, we have introduced an offer, where women can bring in their old saris and have them converted into kurtis and anarkali suits. Third element of effective entrepreneurship is making customers one’s brand ambassadors.
“We believe in word a mouth publicity. A happy customer always brings other customers,” she says. The outlet is located at 21, Vinayaga Nagar,Anand Nagar Main Road, Thoraipakkam (Off the 200 feet Pallavaram – Thoraipakkam Radial Road).
The store is open from Monday to Saturday, from 9.30 a.m. to 9 p.m and on Sundays, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. For details, contact Saji Vaidyanathan at 95510 98933.