Bootstrapped Beginnings
Kosha began with an idea — two women with dreams and the conviction to create something of their own.
Although the name initially came from our initials (Ko for Kopal and Sha for Shagun), “Kosha” wasn’t just a ship name for the business or a mere placeholder on a Google Sheet. It stood for our passion — a passion to create an impact in the world and leave a legacy behind. A brand that wouldn’t end up as deadstock in landfills as just another mass-made product. One built by women, for women. Something rooted in craftsmanship and driven by intention.
Bootstrapped from Day One 💰
One of our non-negotiables from Day 1 was to have complete control over the decision-making process. We wanted to call the shots, stay true to our values, and not have to explain every move to a third party who didn’t understand the heart or core values of the business.
That’s why we made a bold, conscious decision to bootstrap. We poured in all our savings — the hard-earned money saved up over four years — and took a leap of faith to build Kosha from scratch.
The Challenges Were Real — But So Was the Support 🤝
Of course, the initial days didn’t come without their challenges. We had to invest not only our finances but also our learnings over the years into building the brand. Our families were rightfully concerned about us putting all our saved-up finances into this venture, but the greatest of support also came from them. ❤️
Till date, whenever Kosha completes a new milestone or we come back from any exhibition, Kopal’s father is the happiest person in the room. We are surrounded by a wave of support from our loved ones.
From Artisan Conversations to Consumer Gaps 🧵👜
From Saundh to House of Chikankari and many more startups in between who were all working very closely with the artisans, Kopal got to really understand the artisan’s mindset and work process — which drew her in to do something that would honor their work beautifully. She also got to interact with a bunch of customers often asking for bags and potlis that could match their outfits. That is when she identified the niche gap, willing itself to be filled.
Big Brands to Brave Beginnings 🏢➡️🌱
Shagun, on the other hand, came from the world of big brands — Tata Cliq, Innisfree, Benetton. With her stronghold on operations, finance, and taking new brands to market, she brought a different but equally vital perspective to the table. She was ready for a shift. Something that fulfilled her at a deeper level. When Kopal shared the idea, she didn’t hesitate.
We came together to create the perfect balance of abilities — one of us offering knowledge of the production process, and the other bringing in industry expertise of marketplaces and operational clarity.
The Best of Both Worlds 🌍
It really was the best of both worlds. One of us had great experience working with artisan-related startups, the other with huge brands and clientele, with experience in handling many vendors at the same time. It seemed like fate how everything worked out the way it did. Together, we made the perfect team.
What Bootstrapping Taught Us 🌱
Looking back, bootstrapping taught us something important — you can do anything if you’re ready for it. If you’re someone sitting on an idea, here’s our advice: just start. Begin from wherever you are. It won’t be perfect. You’ll stumble, second-guess, and feel lost at times — but if you give it your all, you’ll figure things out and you’ll get a hang of things soon enough.
However, starting is important — because without it, you wouldn’t even know what your potential is like.
Every Step Was Worth It 💫
Even with the sleepless nights, the stress, the steep learning curves, and the fears — it’s all been worth it. And we’d do it all over again.
To Every Dreamer Out There 💌
So to the dreamers out there with a zeal and passion to build something of your own — just go out there and make it all happen. You can do it! 💪✨
