All of us, at some point of time, have spent hours and hours window-shopping on some Instagram store, Etsy, Flipkart, Amazon or Myntra, looking through stuff and adding it to the cart and forgetting about it until a sale or a very attractive offer comes up, especially amid the Corona Virus pandemic when we were all bound in our houses with nothing to do. During this time, our only source of happiness were those Amazon packages which made us feel like it was our second birthday. E-commerce has proved to be a boon in such times.
In a world where e-commerce is growing at a quick pace and may even overtake the physical market in the near future, it is no surprise that more and more new online business ventures are coming up every day. Changing economies have, therefore, led to a rise in entrepreneurs in the world. Now, it’s possible to start a business with a great idea and few clicks. The best way of being in the business is to become your own boss by setting up your own business. There is a sudden increase in the number of small businesses all over the world and unsurprisingly, most of these businesses offer their goods and services online which has been very convenient considering the current scenario of the Covid-19 pandemic. One such venture is Originara.
Originara is an online business venture on Instagram founded by two teenage girls – Anushka Yadav and Advika Adgaonkar, which aims to provide handmade and customized products that match the ever-growing trend of aesthetics. It was started in December 2020 as a means to channelize their creativity and energy towards something productive, economic, and sustainable.
During the nationwide Corona Virus lockdown in India, Anushka started customizing calendars for her friends as she had a lot of time on her hands. Then it struck her that she could do more than simply create calendars, so she roped in Advika on the idea and thereon, Originara came into existence. ‘Originara,’ is composed of two words – Original and Organic, the two main principles which form the base of their small business. They offer original and customized sketching books, weekly journals, calendars, posters, stickers. They have been working on other items like magnets, as well as simple yet trendy accessories like scrunchies. When asked about how they generate new ideas for their products, they said that they come up with new ideas by carefully studying the trends of the market. They have noticed a rise in the demand for products that follow themes of anime, K-pop, minimalism, etc., and are, therefore, trying to cater to the audience interested in these themes.
Anushka and Advika define their journey as small business owners with the word, ‘rollercoaster’. They view this small venture of theirs as a learning experience but also a challenge because there are various things that they have to balance, like school, their social life, their families, and besides all this, they even have to make time for themselves to replenish and energize, but overall, they feel that it’s an amazing experience and opportunity. Like all small business owners, Anushka and Advika admit they get overwhelmed at times by their roles and responsibilities, but they don’t let the feeling get the best of them. They are grateful for having their friends and families as a constant source of support, not to forget their customers, whom they describe as cooperative, encouraging, and fun to work for. When they tell people about their small business, they tend to be impressed first and then go on to enquire about other details. Both of them find that moment when the person is impressed – encouraging and exciting. It makes them feel proud for taking the first step. They want people to know that anything is possible if they make their minds and work towards it.
Anushka and Advika aspire to see their small business as a successfully established Instagram store that acquires a place in the international market. For them, the key elements for becoming a successful business are clear objectives, strong will, and perseverance. Most of the inspiration for their products is drawn from brands like Chumbak, Khadi India, Miniso – a well-known Japanese company and another online venture called Pretty Little Things India. They’d like other businesses and start-ups to know that no idea is too small, all thoughts and ideas are unique; taking the first step may seem difficult and risky, but it is necessary to take that first step to climb the ladder to your success. Both of them aspire to inspire the younger generation to become their own bosses and pay no heed to others who say otherwise. A lot of kids who are coming up with their business ideas, prove to be a source of inspiration for Anushka and Advika and motivate them to give their best.
Anushka and Advika continue to work on their venture while simultaneously juggling between their school, family, and social lives.
By Srishti Singh, Nashik
