Women can now buy various lingerie of size and comfort without visiting any particular store. they can also measure their bra size using Zivame’s bra size calculator. Apart from Bras and Panties, Zivame also sells shapewears and nightwears.
This 36 year old started her venture with ₹30 Lakh of savings and loan from family and friends. In an interview with FirstPost, Richa said, “Right from unavailability of size options to presence of male sales executives, every single step of lingerie shopping posed a bottleneck for a woman.”
She went through many many challenges especially with her parents. Richa said, “My mother was shocked at the idea. She said, “Apne friends ko kya bolungi? Meri beti bra-panty bech rahi hai computer par? (What will I tell my friends? That my daughter is selling bras and panties online?) My father did not quite understand what exactly I wanted to do.”
“I want to make Zivame a billion-dollar enterprise in the next five to seven years,” Richa said in a 2013 interview with The Economic Times.With the help of investments worth ₹250 crores from Zodius Capital and Khazanah Nasional Berhad, the investment holding arm of the Malaysian government, Zivame is slowly starting to retail its own brand. These expenses are also going into development of stores and expert salons across India. These will help women talk to experts about the right bra and its size women.
Now, in 2017, Richa Kar has decided to take a step back from the daily operations of Zivame and has handed over to Shaleen Sinha, the Chief Operating Officer. A statement from Zivame said that Richa still continues to be Zivame’s CEO. She works closely with the board on strategic projects for the company but, he has moved away from the day-to-day business operations.
“I work 9 am to 9 pm, I don’t do any housework as I have household help to take care of that, don’t socialize, don’t have time to interact with parents. I only work.”
Richa fought against all the odds by choosing one of the most ignored industries in this tough corporate world. Her story is a lesson and a great inspiration to all blooming entrepreneurs to achieve what they want to.