Founder: Mrs. Bharati Malnad
Name and Address of the Organization: Sri Enterprises, Bangalore 560074
Website: raissa.in; srienterprisesindia.com
Turnover & Investment:
- Present Turnover: ₹40 lakhs
- Starting Capital Invested: ₹5 crore (invested over 5 years)
Age and Entrepreneurial Journey:
- Current Age: 50
- Age When Started Business: 43
Background and Inspiration:
Mrs. Bharati Malnad, a driven and ambitious individual, embarked on her entrepreneurial journey motivated by her personal experiences with skin allergies caused by chemical-laden personal care products. Her passion for creating a brand that was honest, green, and trustworthy led her to establish Sri Enterprises. Her dedication to overcoming challenges has been a defining aspect of her journey, with a strong focus on adhering to global standards to ensure customer trust and product efficacy.
Business Overview:
- Inception Year: 2017
- Present Status: Sri Enterprises is in a growth phase with recent retail and e-commerce launches. The company is experiencing increased adoption, with a repeat purchase rate of 25%. The business is actively innovating and adopting new global technologies to meet the highest international standards, particularly targeting exports to Europe and the USA.
Market Impact and Society Contribution:
Sri Enterprises is committed to formulating personal care products free from harsh chemicals like silicones, parabens, and mineral oils. By focusing on plant-based and nature-derived ingredients, the company aims to improve skin and environmental health. Their approach brings cutting-edge innovation to the skincare segment, ensuring safer and more effective products for consumers.
Business Focus and USP:
The company specializes in formulating and manufacturing personal care products that enhance skin and environmental health. The unique selling proposition lies in their nature-derived formulations, use of the latest skincare innovations, and affordability for a broad customer base.
Future Prospects:
The personal care and skincare market, especially the chemical-free segment, is expected to see significant growth. Sri Enterprises is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend, with projections indicating substantial market expansion until 2030.
Motivation and Inspirations:
Mrs. Malnad’s decision to start her business was driven by her personal struggle with skin allergies and the realization that these issues were exacerbated by chemicals in cosmetics. Her father’s leadership, wisdom, and encouragement to dream big have profoundly influenced her approach to entrepreneurship.
Challenges and Learnings:
Challenges included securing funding and navigating the procurement and installation of machinery. Managing all aspects of the business single-handedly was demanding but has strengthened her resilience. These experiences taught her the value of patience, efficiency, and the importance of having a backup plan.
Essentials for Success:
Key essentials included establishing an industrial unit with a full fledged laboratory, investing in machinery that automates most of the processes, and enduring a prolonged licensing process.
Opportunity Identification:
Opportunities were identified through extensive research, reading industry journals, and discussions with industry experts.
Unique Qualities:
Mrs. Malnad’s disciplined and dedicated nature, along with her ability to stay focused and avoid regrets, has been crucial to her success. Understanding that entrepreneurship takes time has helped her remain patient and committed.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs:
Stay focused and realistic. Entrepreneurship requires more than just favorable conditions and funding—it demands perseverance, hard work, and resilience.
Awards and Recognition:
- Best Women Achiever, Soap and Cosmetics, Handcrafters Carnival (MSME)
- Innovation in Personal Care – Best Women Achiever, India Business Awards
