Hy Local Guides,
In this Women’s Week, I want to introduce a Woman Owned Business. I discovered this gem through one of my recent meetups about the Handmade Heritage Meet-up series by @Globe_trotter_Ish.
Let’s Meet Manjima Ravikumar.
Manjima Ravikumar, Founder of Casa Mi Amor, The Homemakers Multibrand Store. One Stop Shop for everything homemade, handcrafted, and handwoven by the homepreneurs, and an offline space for online brands. She is also a Bcom graduate, who worked in an MNC in Technopark and in Pune for 15 years. She took a career break and restarted as a certified Montessori trainer from Bambino International School, but during Covid days, she became a baker. Her specialties were pure butter cookies, Italian Lasagna, Pizza and Biryanis with homemade masalas. That was the beginning of her entrepreneurship. She is also a mother of two kids with her husband in the Navy.
Let’s hear what she has to say :
- What inspired you to start your own business?
Store front photo of her store.
Answer : I wanted a place to sell my cookies. That’s when I realized for people like me who want to sell small quantities of items and who would like to brand their products, it’s not very easy to take a big shop, that’s when I thought about this concept. A space for all homemakers for their homemade products. That’s the birth of this Homemakers Multibrand Store. The name Casa Mi Amor is Spanish for House of Love. It’s not just a space for products but also a space for promoting art and crafts.
- How do you feel the business environment for women has changed since you started yours?
Answer : The business environment has really changed a lot, you can say, after Covid. It seems now every home there will be at least one entrepreneur and the opportunity has also increased a lot through online, social media and digital marketing. The Government and banks have many schemes to financially support women entrepreneurs and their startups. When I started my business, I came to know, realize and see so many talents and many didnt know how to take forward their business. I could now proudly say my dream venture became a big support and opportunity for many entrepreneurs.
- How do you support Local Women Owned Businesses?
Products of other Women owners displayed.
Answer : I give spaces for local woman owners to sell their products such as handcraft jewelry, clothes, bags, food products, etc… I am also going to start a campaign during Women’s Day called “Flaunt Your Brand” where local woman owners can come forward and sell their products at my store. I am also having stalls in events to sell products of Women owners in my store and in turn creating a space and voice for them.
- How do you use Google Maps to promote your business and connect with customers?
Answer : Google maps really helped me in more visibility and the customers review & ratings also helped a lot in getting my business to more people. Google Maps indirectly helped other local women owners to find my shop to showcase their products.
- What message do you want to share to other women entrepreneurs on women’s day?
Answer : This women’s day, we celebrate our strength, resilience and innovation. My advice to fellow entrepreneurs is that you are not just building business, you are shaping communities, empowering and supporting others. Believe every obstacle is a stepping stone to growth. Keep believing in your vision and support fellow entrepreneurs on the way. We Rise, Create and Inspire. Be your inspiration.
Thank you Manjima for your valuable and informative interview about women-owned businesses. Also thank you for supporting other local women owners and giving them a space.
Also found these beautiful earrings from recycled materials as part of the Earth Hour Challenge.
Previous post of Women’s Week
- Women’s Week & Zero Discrimination Day - Shamneera
- Women’s Week & International Wheelchair Day - Dr. Fathima Asla
- Women’s Week & Women in Construction Week - Gouri
- Women’s Week & A Software Developer - Esha Harish
- Women’s Week & World Hearing Day
- Women’s Week & A Radio Jockey - RJ Sheetal
- Women’s Week & School Social Work Week - Guru Krishna Priya
- Women’s Week & An Ophthalmologist - Dr. Awungshi Philamazan
Share any unique Local Women Owned Businesses to support local businesses and Women Owned Businesses in the comments or as a post.
local-business #earthhour
Rahul for sharing her story.