Voice of Advaita

''LittlePocketsStore'' I would say it’s a fusion of craft and contemporary clothing for kids at affordable prices. Little Pocket Store is a kids clothing brand established in 2015. We make high quality formal and semi-formal ethnic and casual wear, for both boys and girls aged 0-10 years.

We are based in ‘Gulabi Nagri’ ‘Jaipur’ and inspired by the vibrancy and regional culture of one state at a time. Our work reflects our admiration for the same, through quirky colours and styles, con-temporizing traditional ethnic and casual clothing, incorporating the funk and bright colours of the Indian palette. We love the contemporary metamorphosis of Traditional craft and our product speaks.

Using majorly cotton and cotton blends, with self-designed prints and handwork, each Little Pocket Store product is very articulately designed to give children an effortless air of quirky and contemporary style. We take pride in the un-compromised quality, comfort and the perfect fit and finish that all our products carry. We started with initial investment capital of 10 lakh. Knowing soon that’s not going to be enough.

Initially our main target market was Indian kids’ apparel or Domestic market but now the demand has increased in international market as well. We have about 5 small and big groups of handicraft artist and manufacturers working with us that is about 90-100 workers + 5 core team members, working with us directly/indirectly.

My inspiration
I am always attracted to craft, design and colourful depiction of tradition, thanks to my mother who was into craft and embroidery herself, which led me to study design for about a year. And later as a mother I could see there was a gap in kids’ apparel market. But regular use of it, is little too simple for me now, plus I thought it has much more potential market than just as piece of decoration. That got me into thinking that kids’ apparels can definitely make the craft look ''cool'' and ''quirky''. 

Challenges I face
Well when i decided to start a business i was in for a long term learning ,i did not had any degree that would help me with the mind-set or understanding how to build a business, but I was soo excited that i just jumped into it. There were many problems i had to face starting with, getting the manufacturing process in line, infrastructure, sourcing, selling, cash-flow, I may be knew how to design a product but how to run a business, we faced losses, I had to learn step by step and I am learning every day. But now I am over with the initial problems and its new set of issues which includes use of tech in manufacturing, sustaining quality, expansion. I wouldn't say, I have overcome these issues but I keep finding my way through in every circumstance.

My back ground  
My Father was a teacher (he is retired now) and my mother was housewife for long time until she started working from home she would get small tenders from export houses for handwork and get them done through a group of women. Later she scaled it up for few years to help with mine and my brother's education and then eventually she left it due to bad market. I got a chance to grow up in a big family which had almost 8 members including my grandparents and all of them were well educated independent and creative in their free time, there were writer, singer, artist there was music in the house i enjoyed my childhood. I did my graduation with Political science and English literature and parallel I did my diploma in Fashion Design as well. Though I always wanted to learn more but finances won’t allow me back then, which I absolutely don’t regret as i got a chance to learn things practically.

When it comes to work i have started working right after 7th standard. I used to assist my father with small blue pottery business he had started. After that it was my uncle's work in garments, then after school I started working in a domestic call centre for Airtel process, for 2years I worked there on different roles.
Then it was a break for 2 year due to studies, after that I worked as a freelancer for few local boutiques, I also got a chance to work for a school program for about 18 months it was NIE (newspaper in education organised by leading daily Rajasthan Patrika) during this program. I designed chapters and games which includes and promotes the use of newspaper in studies. After that I moved to Mumbai where I got a chance to work as Stylist and Designer for Shri Adhikari Brother's SAB TV and then my final call to have my own brand Triggered and here i am.

We create a connection between contemporary and traditional at affordable prices which are the foremost factor to customer satisfaction, and then the quality we provide is specially sourced fabric for kids’ soft skin. Then there is design, our design collection - keeping in mind that the body frame of a child. In some of our garments we even give extra ease so that it can be used year after year.

For weakness I would say - every new issue that arises becomes a weakness for business recently we faced issue with a group of block print workers who just wanted to quit their traditional work and go for a job which is more paying I wouldn't blame them knowing that there is  not enough work for them. We are trying to create an eco-system where we can provide the continuity in work as well as better pay. I just hope that our customers or customers for any products have to understand what are they buying and what is the history or story behind the product?

For example - when a customer buy a block printed kurta in little higher price than other stuff. That customer giving a chance to an artist - a worker to keep working regular as artists are contributing in promoting the traditions, history, which helps in making the best quality chemical free clothes for kids and giving a fair chance to survive for an art.

We are making sure maximum our products are run through under an artist’s hand or those who are under privileged which means our products will have some kind of art or craft on it .be it hand embroidery, puppets, block print, zari work or hand painting, all done by those in need .to make a big impact and generate jobs on larger scale we are also scaling up.  

 How I think the government can help in the business?
 Well I have high hopes here, government is the key to the growth of small businesses.
 From my experience govt has already done a good work launching schemes for entrepreneurs but i think there is a need to  spread the word in better way. Loan schemes has high interest rates and any business which is starting up or uncertain of its growth  might not go that way.so lowering the interest rates can definitely help here. Acknowledgement of businesses and mentoring can be a great help too.

Garments made by LittlePocketsStore are apart from trend instead of following one we are trying to create one. It’s not only clothes, also the intention to provide better to many.
On how we are different I would say we are giving what people call luxury wear at commodity prices. And I believe competitors only makes us better. Thanks to them for being around.

Milestones
A. Represented India at Kids fashion week 2018 Vietnam
B. Represented India at kids fashion week world 2018, Budapest
C. Won Advaita award for women entrepreneur in special category 2018