Heavenly DIVAS, a unique blend of western & Indian clothing for women

In a country where two-thirds are under the age of thirty-five, it is prudent to say that India must step up in all respects to enhance the standard of living of a majority of Indians. We need entrepreneurs, educationists, policymakers, traders and every professional, male and female, to work collaboratively and build newer and more efficient ways of doing commerce and stimulate the spirits of our people towards progress and open-mindedness.

It is difficult to predict the future, but we must do our best and understand the underlying forces that direct the course of the world. Since the dawn of the industrial revolution, when material-based economies thrived with globalization, today the focus is on developing and integrating a knowledge-base in one’s chosen field of expertise. For instance, new-age clothing lines are putting environment, society and ethical governance at the heart of their operations not just because it seems like the right thing to do, but because it adds more value to the end consumer.

The textile industry is currently amidst experimenting with multiple fabric materials, incorporating ‘smart’ materials to track the condition of clothes, 3D printing and personalizing clothing sizes for each and every individual using technology. We can comfortably reason that this decade will see clothes undergoing a makeover in terms of new business models like monthly subscriptions to smart clothes. Today, at Bangalore Insider we spoke to Sheetal, the founder of Heavenly DIVAS, an exclusive women’s clothing line based out of Mysore, who gave us insights into running a new age textile business.   

Give a brief info about your start-up?

It’s an exclusive women’s clothing line by the name Heavenly DIVAS, which is a unique blend of western & Indian clothing for all occasions. It is one of a kind in the town.   

What made you start your start-up and what problem does it solve?

I felt it was the need of the hour, Mysore lacked a quality women’s clothing line. There are a lot of other players who just cater to any of the needs like just Indian wear range or just western clothing range, apparently it’s only Heavenly DIVAS which offers everything all under one roof.    

Tell us about yourself, your previous jobs/ventures? What were you doing before this start-up?

I come from a business family which is pretty well-known in the city for the way it conducts its line of work, all I have been seeing and doing is business since my childhood. I did my under-graduation in Business management followed by post graduation in fashion designing with an intention of joining my father’s textile & bespoke tailoring house (Heavenly Tailors) which is over 50 years old and is our core line of business. But I always had this calling towards women’s fashion and I had the eye for that classy touch. By the way it is apparently the first time our family is getting into women’s clothing.     

Where is your startup based out of? Why do you think that is the best place for you?

We are based in MYSURU (Karnataka) on dhanvanthri road which is slightly away from the main business district. We are very different from the normal lot. So I choose to stand out and not mix with rest.

As a startup founder, what are you paranoid about? What keeps you awake at night?

See everything has its own challenges and so did I. It was the first time I was getting out of my comfort zone. Women’s fashion is very tricky and fast-paced, it was completely different from our other line of business. I know that I’ll not have the umbrella of experience to help me set up and have the show peacefully, I have to make some tough calls and wait for it to work. Lack of experience is a big disadvantage. Well, it has been the experience of my lifetime, which I’m enjoying every single day. Sleepless nights are there and will be there for some more time and all thanks to the present market and financial condition. 

 

Who are your competitions and how are you better than them?

I wouldn’t say I’m better, but certainly, I’m “work in progress”. Online is the biggest killer, rest all issues can be dealt with. 

How hard is it to have a work life balance as a startup founder and how do you manage it?

Well, it’s not easy to switch off from work. Work is always there on the back of my mind. There is no set formula per say, but yes a supporting spouse is always a big plus which I’m super blessed to have ;). 

Have you raised funding? If yes, then we would like to know the details. If no then please tell us if you are looking to rise?

No! It’s all self-funded. 

What’s the biggest misconception people have about you? Why do they have that? What’s the reality?

Apparently nothing big as such, well as they say “The Side of Grass is always Green” guess this should explain it! 

What gets you excited about this company?

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life”. Guess I live by this saying, every single workday I come to work is exciting for me.

Tell us how a day in your life looks like? Your schedule for a day right from the time you get up till you hit the bed at night.

Well, my day starts at 9:30 in the morning, followed by client meetings and following up on work which is progress, that’s pretty much it. Everything is around the client’s requirement and needs. Post my work at night is pretty much like family time and my time. I sleep pretty late and definitely before 12:30.    

 

Tell us about your team and how did you meet each other?

My team is good at what they do. I hired them via formal interviews.    

 

 

 

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