Meet Prerna Sinha, the visionary behind Urbane Essence in the dynamic realm of E-commerce, where she intricately fuses heritage and innovation, crafting products that eloquently blend the essence of culture with modernity to celebrate the spirit of womanhood.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your family?
I was born into a family that mostly consists of bureaucrats and authors.
My grandfather worked with the British government as a bureaucrat during the pre-independence phase, and he was followed by my father, who also worked as an IAS in the government and has written several books.
My mother is an ex-lecturer, and she has always displayed her creative side through photography, gardening, and more, which has always inspired me.
During my growing-up years, there was a lot of focus on studies, discipline, communication, and social work.
My parents wanted me to develop decision-making and financial management skills at a very early age.
So, I feel the ability to make decisions for myself and the strong urge to always be financially independent is what has encouraged me throughout my career.
Have you had any formal training or family business?
I did my schooling at one of the prestigious schools in Patna, Notre Dame Academy, and after that, I graduated in History from one of India’s best colleges, Lady Shri Ram College, New Delhi.
I pursued an MBA in HR and worked as an HR professional with some of the most agile organizations in the country, across industries.
I was never really prepared for entrepreneurship until I became a mother and found it difficult to balance my career and family.
There are a few members of the family who picked up businesses of their own choice, but I was very young at that time and never really connected with that.
However, my father always encouraged me to have my own business, and when the time was right, it all made sense.
How did you come up with the idea for your business, and what was the process of turning that idea into a reality?
India is a land of art and creativity, characterized by a rich tapestry of colors, fabrics, and art forms.
Many art forms, such as Ajrakh, Warli, and Madhubani, originated in India during the Indus Valley Civilization about 2500-3000 years ago.
Millions of artisans from countless villages across India rely on these art forms as their primary source of livelihood.
The legacy of these ancient art forms transcends time, embodying the essence of a civilization steeped in creativity, spirituality, and cultural diversity.
Although these art forms continue to captivate audiences worldwide, they have experienced a gradual decline over the centuries, mainly due to globalization.
Growing up in a country where women adorn garments that showcase these art forms, I was deeply inspired to make an attempt to revive them in my own ways.
I personally feel, like many others, that they are a testament to the enduring beauty and significance of India's artistic heritage.
Hence, when I founded Urbane Essence, I wanted to initiate a movement—a movement to revive these dying art forms and prevent the gradual erosion of traditional artistic practices.
I didn't follow a very structured process to turn the idea into reality; I simply registered a company and then began working on the website, sourcing, and more!
How have you grown as a leader since starting your company, and what have been some of the key lessons you've learned along the way?
Yes, I have grown as a leader since I started the company.
My biggest challenge was getting the right people.
Since I set up my business during the pandemic, it also made it very difficult to meet the team, and everything continued virtually.
back to my corporate days, I honored my office space and valued it as the basics of a company.
So, I feel hiring virtually and retaining the team that only worked virtually with us made it quite challenging. However, I feel I am in a much better space now. In business, I feel you grow every day!
Can you tell us about a time when you faced a major setback or failure in your business, and how you overcame it?
I think the major setback I faced once was when a good percentage of the team was leaving.
The circumstances and strategies employed to overcome it were to find talent who connected with the brand personally.
How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals, especially during challenging times?
The inner desire to create something meaningful for people, and working towards reviving art forms keeps me going everyday.
How do you balance your personal life with the demands of running a business?
My work life strategies are very simple - work during work hours, don’t extend work hours. Staying disciplined, making space for work, family, friends and rest is very important for me.
What are your plans for the future of your business, and how do you see yourself evolving as a founder and leader?
My plans for the future of my business is to expand it globally, let the ancient forms of India make space on the global canvas. I see myself, going deeper into the business!
If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
I would advise my younger self to be fearless and explore avenues of possibilities.
What's the most unconventional thing you've done to grow your business, and what was the result?
The most unconventional thing has been to connect our story to the origin of sarees from Harappan times.
What's the most important lesson you've learned from a failure, and how have you applied it to your business?
Simply learning that everyday can be a new challenge in business and that you do not have to give up is what I have learned from failure.
What's the most meaningful compliment or feedback you've ever received from a customer, and why did it resonate with you?
The most meaningful compliments have been about the brand being promising, being unique and really standing out.
If you had to choose one thing that makes your company truly unique and sets it apart from the competition, what would it be, and why?
Urbane Essence emphasizes the fusion of diverse cultural elements within the urban environment. Urbane Essence celebrates the amalgamation of traditions and innovations, keeping original designs, affordable prices.
Find Prerna Sinha on Social Media:
LinkedIn - Personal Account - https://www.linkedin.com/in/prerna-sinha-b52b5725/
Company/ Companies websites -www.myurbane.com
Instagram – Personal - prerna.lsr
Instagram – Business - @urbane.essence
Email address - [email protected]
Hope you enjoyed reading Prerna Sinha’s story!
Do write to us if you'd like to share your story with the women’s community of SOROR - The Sister's Edit.
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