The exhibition that almost broke us

We had just launched Kosha. It was the festive season, and we decided to take a big leap — emotionally and financially.
We spent close to a lakh just to book a stall at an exhibition we believed would be a turning point.

We increased production, designed new SKUs, meticulously planned our display, and poured in sleepless nights, savings, and soul.

We were all in.

But when we reached the venue, reality hit us like a slow heartbreak.

One of the exhibition’s co-founders — who had personally encouraged us to participate — was showcasing a similar range of bags. Their brand had the prime stall right at the entrance and we were placed at the far back, tucked into a low-footfall corner where barely anyone walked in, even though we were promised a spot near the entrance.

It wasn’t just bad luck — it was strategy. And we’d walked right into it.

Some exhibition owners deliberately call in smaller brands — only to use them as bait, to pad out the lineup, to make it look fresh and diverse. While the crowd is quietly funneled toward the brands they have a personal stake in.

We were devastated — not just because of the money we lost, but because of the trust that was chipped away 💔
The feeling of being used and undermined by someone from the same industry hurt more than the poor sales.

I still remember sitting behind our table — our bags untouched, energy drained, and the weight of all that effort, hope, and investment just sinking in.

One of us said quietly, “Should we just shut it down?”
And for a second, that didn’t even feel like a joke.

But here’s what we didn’t do:
We didn’t spiral.
We didn’t let it define us.
We took that heartbreak and turned it into a lesson. 🌱

We started researching harder.
Who’s curating the show? Who’s participating? Where is our stall located? What kind of brands are next to us?
No more walking in blind.

We became intentional — not emotional — with our decisions.
Protective of our time and selective about where we show up.
We got clearer with how we communicate — with each other and with the outside world.

That exhibition wasn’t a failure.
It taught us what not to tolerate. What not to compromise on.
And that our brand deserves spaces that value it — not just use it for footfall. 🛑

It was a hard chapter — but it didn’t end us.

Because Kosha wasn’t built to be background noise.
We’re here to be heard. 🔊