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Entrepreneurial Story of Chanchal Badsiwal who founded Chanchal ~ Bringing Art to Life located in Bangalore
About:
- Chanchal Badsiwal, Designer & Founder at Chanchal, My name is Chanchal Badsiwal. I am a nature lover, a Yogini, a believer in Karma and I love to explore life. To see life from different perspectives, I travel and read. I love Art in its various forms ~ music, dance, paintings, poetry, theater ~ basically all forms exploring human emotions. I am a seasoned expert in a business research field, with several years of experience behind me. After a decade of working for corporates and heading business divisions, my long-cherished dream of being an entrepreneur could not wait any longer. Chanchal was started in 2015 with the aim to promote and revive traditional Art & Textiles.
Email – ethnicchanchal@gmail.com
The Team!
When Started: 26/01/2015
Location: Bangalore
What motivated you to start your Business?
I am a seasoned expert in the business research field, with several years of experience behind me. After a decade of working for corporates and heading business units, my long-cherished dream of being an entrepreneur could not wait any longer. Although fighting the inertia—of a rewarding job, a regular paycheck and established credentials—was not easy. I quit my job in 2014 back to pursue my dream of being an entrepreneur and do something more meaningful. Being an admirer of traditional art and textiles, the idea to develop an enterprise around Indian traditional art forms took over in 2014. I started traveling and engaging with the artisan and weavers communities in the eastern and southern parts of India. When I started meeting people, I realized how bad the conditions are for artists and weavers working in the hinterlands. Some of the heritage arts were already lost. Many weavers had stopped weaving, artists were struggling to make ends meet and were looking for other work streams; they no longer wanted to pass these heritage forms to their children. The need to revive some of the dying heritage art forms and sustaining them to next generation grew stronger in me. I started Chanchal ~ Bringing Art to Life – in 2015 back to revive and promote the traditional Art & Textiles of India. We design and make contemporary Handbags using traditional handwoven/handblocked textiles made by weavers and artisans, and Dokra Jewelry made using heritage old art form by the same name Dokra.
Tell us about your Business
Chanchal is a rendezvous of modern and traditional. We aim to bridge the gap between the current generation’s preferences and age-old heritage forms by bringing in the context of modern India without diluting the core of traditional art/craft/textile.
We design and create a range of contemporary handbags using traditional textiles ranging from Ikat, Kalamkari, Ajrakh, Khana etc. From Ikat laptop Bags to Kalamkari handbags, you can find a statement piece. We also make Artisanal Dokra Jewelry ~ unique handcrafted pieces made using age-old craft tradition.
We work directly with various artisans and weavers across India to custom design and source the finest handcrafted textiles and art. These weavers and artisans are based in villages where these textiles and art forms originated, which ensures every textile and art comes from its place of origin. We specifically try to keep away from mediators.
Tell us what an average day in your life looks like.
I am a Yoga practitioner so my day starts with an hour of Yoga and a long walk.
The average day at Chanchal is all about hustling so Yoga really helps me keep my mind focused and energy up. I have a team of 2. We are a fun bunch of 3 women juggling between many things. Our day starts with processing orders, packing, shipping and responding to customer inquiries. I then move on to the production and designing part where I work with my karigars or sometimes just alone to kinda find my inspiration for the next design. Some part of the day goes on in coordinating with artisans and weaving societies working in villages – to design and create custom textile/art. I am still a one person army on many fronts. I manage my social media, product photo shoots, website blog and in numerous phone calls with customers/team :).
So I usually have long fun days at work!! :). I try to squeeze in some time for reading, writing and listening to some stories, music, podcasts on everyday basis. I love to travel and my work takes me to various places including towns and villages in different states to meet weavers and artisans. I love that part of my work!
One particular skill you got right and gave you the best results.
Thinking like a customer
What have been your biggest challenges in running your Business so far? How did you overcome these challenges?
The biggest challenge for a small bootstrapped business is always to find a larger target audience first and then convert them into customers. We believe in building a relationship with customers and that helps us as they become our brand ambassadors. Especially the ones who move from Leather to ethical handbags and love the transition due to quality, durability, and style.
The other challenge that we face is the competition from machine-made cheaper products. Fashion is one of the biggest industry. Handbags/jewelry of all kinds is available. India is still a very price conscious market.
Ethically made handcrafted accessories in traditional textile is still a relatively new segment.
We are available on social media and that keeps us in touch with our followers. We also participate in exhibitions which attract the customer who is looking for one of a kind piece, and prefer uniqueness and sustainability over price.
What have you found the most effective way to get new clients?
We do exhibitions to find a new customer base. We are in the age of information so online marketing and social media help a lot. Our website www.chanchal.co.in makes it easier for potential and current customers to place orders from anywhere, anytime. We ship across India and even outside of the country.
What advice do you give to other business owners?
If you believe in it, keep at it. Be curious, imaginative and creative.
How did you keep motivated through difficult times?
I meditate and that helps a lot. I try every single day to be better than the last. Besides your own focus, being in the positive and happy company of friends and family always help.
What are your Marketing, Funding, and Team Building Strategy?
We focus on social media marketing on FB and Instagram. We are a bootstrapped company and have taken some loans from the family. Funding is not on our mind, Collaboration is. We intend to slowly grow and have a physical presence in cities outside Bangalore through relevant collaborations.
We have a small but highly efficient team. When you are small, you are close to each other. We want to make sure our team is a bunch of happy and high energy people. We will always focus on being true to Chanchal’s ethos of promoting Indian Art & Textile through our designs. Being ethical, genuine, customer friendly and happy is the core of Chanchal’s team strategy!
Your Achievements?
The fact that people are quitting using Leather bags and are going for a Chanchal, is a big achievement for us. People who prefer handcrafted products or love to see traditional work in modern style ~ they love us. We have been able to find the right audience.
We have worked with artisans and weavers from almost 10 -12 states in India. The gratification of being able to generate employment and new opportunities in these hinterlands is immense.
What’s your favorite quote?
If you create a perfect inward situation, no matter what the external situation is, you can be in perfect peace and bliss.
Who inspires you?
Nature and Himalayas. I find my inspiration in the peace of nature. I do read a lot about businesses and leaders to get insights into their processes, techniques, and experiences.
Share your Business Philosophy?
Do it for a reason. Be true to yourself. Think – Plan – Act. And above all every business is different. Do not try to be someone or something.
