After decades in the corporate world, I took a leap of faith to become an entrepreneur—a decision that’s turned out to be one of the most fulfilling of my life. My career in hospitality and textiles sparked a desire to create something of my own. This realization set the stage for my entrepreneurial journey, which began in 2016.
It all started with a small online pearl jewelry business inspired by the admiration for my personal collection, which I designed and handcrafted. What began as a part-time passion project has since grown into a thriving enterprise with two distinct lines of business. This journey has allowed me to blend the best of both the corporate and entrepreneurial worlds.
Stepping away from corporate life was a pivotal moment for me. During the pandemic, I decided to focus solely on my jewelry business, which had shown promising growth. Within a year, I achieved Rs. 5 lakh in sales and 100% growth. Encouraged by this success, I took a bold step and established Shore2Shore in 2021, with a vision to export India’s products globally. I named my jewelry business Atiras, after a celestial term. It features elegant pieces made from semi-precious stones and pearls, designed primarily for working women. Recently, I’ve expanded our collection to cater to younger customers, offering lighter, modern designs.
As Shore2Shore grew, I diversified by launching a second business line focused on hotel supplies, including cotton laundry bags, pressing bags, and shoe bags. This venture blends my corporate experience with my creative passions. My time as head of purchases for esteemed hotel chains gave me valuable insights into this market, and our first major client, from Udaipur, placed an order for eight types of bags.
Support from my industry connections and the unwavering encouragement of my husband has been instrumental in this journey. Today, Shore2Shore offers 150 SKUs of jewelry and 50 SKUs of hotel supplies. We prioritize sustainability, sourcing semi-precious stones from Jaipur, pearls from Hyderabad, and fabrics from South India. Leftover fabrics are donated to temples, thereby minimizing waste.
Joining the Walmart Vriddhi Program in June 2023 was a transformative experience. Even with three decades of professional experience, Walmart Vriddhi offered fresh perspectives on entrepreneurship. The personalized mentoring sessions were especially impactful, offering guidance on business management, creative thinking, and strategic planning.
One of the biggest takeaways was the importance of monitoring revenue and sales monthly. This insight helped me diversify my jewelry business and expand into international markets. Onboarding with Flipkart further boosted our visibility across India, driving 40%–50% growth in our online business.
Walmart Vriddhi also emphasized understanding competitors and listening to customer feedback. This approach has allowed us to refine materials and designs and introduce new products every three months, ensuring we stay aligned with market demands.
The personalized mentoring I received through Walmart Vriddhi significantly boosted my confidence to scale both businesses. Since completing the program, Shore2Shore has seen 100% growth in both the jewelry and hotel supplies sectors.
Looking ahead to FY25, my goal is to achieve a revenue target of Rs. 2.5 crore and expand our team further. We’ve already grown to a team of 15 and plan to onboard branding, marketing, and web development experts.
One of my biggest lessons has been that while entrepreneurship is immensely rewarding, it requires patience and perseverance. Programs like Walmart Vriddhi play a vital role in guiding entrepreneurs, helping generate business opportunities, and creating employment.
As I reflect on this journey, I’m filled with gratitude for the milestones we’ve achieved and excitement for what lies ahead. This leap of faith has been nothing short of extraordinary.
