A Pune based entrepreneur ended up being the owner of a successful foot ware company in India named Nemital because of her rationalized thoughts which were backed up with creativity and a little bit of practicality.
Ideas will remain just thoughts if they are not backed with creativity and practicality- 101 business. Today we have the story of a woman who believed in this statement and ventured into the known.
How did she become a successful Pune based entrepreneur? well, she turned her cash prize from 'Startup India' into an upcycled footwear brand.
Pooja Apte, the 28-year-old entrepreneur mention, "I was in my last semester to complete post-graduation in renewable energy from The Energy and Research Institute (TERI) and started hunting for a job in the renewable energy sector,"
"During the process, I learned there are not many people working in the field of upcycling textile and plastic. I decided to work on tyres and started experimenting," she says.
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"I did a lot of research on scrap tyre businesses. But all of them required huge capital investments with late returns. For example, through pyrolysis (a method to recycle discarded tyres), one can make commercial oil, carbon black and construction rods. But all of that requires heavy investments, and if the chemical process does not happen properly, it only leads to pollution," Pooja said.
“The government also banned reusing tyres for safety reasons, and these discarded tyres are non-biodegradable. So I felt I needed a solution to the problem as well," Pooja said.
During her research, she came across certain African communities who were using discarded tyres as footwear. This is when she decided to begin an immense research and the idea for starting a company struck her. This idea did not require any chemical processes and it was a perfect for entering the commercial (B2C) sector since it could be established on a tight budget.
Initially, she had to come up with few prototypes before presenting the final concept and product at 'Startup India' – a series of business conclaves held across the country for entrepreneurs. "I got the prototypes made from a roadside cobbler," she recalled.
"In November 2018, I won Rs 50,000 in the 'Upcoming Woman Entrepreneur' category, organised by the Maharashtra State Innovation Society. Thus the brand ‘Nemital’ under the company ‘Blink Green’ was born," she said.
"I took my orders on social media. I have sold about 1,000 pairs in the past one and a half years - upcycling 400 kg of scrap tyres," Pooja says.
"Initially, I focussed on basic comfort and design. But over the last few months, my footwear is evolving to cater to different varieties and foot sizes," Pooja said.
"Now, I have found the right thickness and type of tyre to be used. The sole is much lighter. The footwear is the same in terms of quality as any other brand with an added benefit that it lasts longer," Pooja said.
"I have been wearing the same pair since April 2019 and continue using it. I am practically bored with it now."
Nemital offers Kolhapuris, Mojris, sandals and even heels. "I sourced the scrap tyre from an old ragpicker lady. Another source to procure is from a company involved in pyrolysis, a process to recycle used tyres," Pooja said.
The footwear is priced between Rs 600 and Rs 1,000. The cost increases with the complication of the design and as per the requirements of her customers.
Over the last few months, Pooja has slowly expanded her team. She proudly mentions about her hardworking team.
"I still get my footwear done from cobblers and have hired five karagirs (artists) on a contract basis. I also have a full-time designer working as creative head," Pooja says.
She added that most of her clients are from Mumbai, Thane, Pune and Andhra Pradesh
"I used to earn more than Rs 50,000 a month until the Covid-19 lockdown halted the growth in March. But the sales have started picking up from September," said Pooja, the proud Pune based entrepreneur .
When asked about her future plans for the venture, Pooja said, "I want to focus on exploiting the Indian market in the current year and reach out to the global market in the next year."
