Throughout my childhood summers, a distinguished characteristic was the earthen pots that naturally cooled the water. I beloved the distinctive odor of those pots. Nonetheless, as I grew older, that pure aroma was changed by the synthetic scent of plastic bottles saved within the fridge.
As extra individuals adopted fashionable know-how, conventional potters and artisans step by step started to lose their livelihoods. “Their artwork has been dying, changing into a seasonal follow, which has compelled future generations of artisans to hunt different employment,” says Dattatreya Vyas, the founding father of Swadeshi Blessings.
Situated within the coronary heart of Rajasthan, this family-run enterprise specialises in creating clay utensils and kitchenware. The mission is to revitalise the livelihoods of potters and craftsmen by eliminating middlemen and connecting their merchandise instantly with shoppers. By partnering with over 100 artisans, the corporate has supplied year-round employment alternatives.
Just lately, the model impressed the buyers on Shark Tank Season 2, securing a deal of Rs 50 lakh from Namita Thapar and Vineeta Singh.
An opportunity encounter
Changing into an entrepreneur was by no means a part of Dattatreya’s plan. “I used to be fortunately working within the company world. Nobody in my household had ever ventured out to change into entrepreneurs and I had no plans both,” he says.
The journey started in the course of the difficult days of the COVID-19 lockdown. “We have been all working from dwelling,” he remembers, “and amidst the uncertainty, we discovered inspiration proper in our yard. Within the evenings, we used to walk round our locality and close by villages. One night, we observed a number of potters promoting their crafts to vacationers, their livelihoods depending on tourism. As a result of lockdown, they have been struggling to make ends meet.”
Historically reliant on tourism, these artisans confronted a stark actuality because the lockdown introduced all journey to a halt. “My household and I related with them, realising we might assist present a extra steady earnings and elevate their artwork kind. So, my mom, sister-in-law, brother, and I made a decision to assist them,” he provides.
This laid the inspiration for ‘Swadeshi Blessings’, which turned a registered enterprise in 2020. “Nonetheless, I used to be fairly not sure about proceed and whether or not it was the suitable determination. So, I didn’t stop my job and managed each issues concurrently. It was solely in 2023 that I made a decision to stop my job and commit absolutely to the enterprise,” he informs.
He talks concerning the hurdles he confronted whereas establishing the enterprise, saying, “With restricted assets and information, we turned to YouTube to be taught every thing from itemizing merchandise to advertising and marketing. Packaging offered a major problem, as our merchandise wanted to be securely packed for worldwide transport. Moreover, we developed an instruction handbook to assist clients use and preserve our merchandise correctly,” he says.
Collaboration with increasingly artisans every single day!
Presently, Swadeshi Blessings collaborates with over 120 artisans unfold throughout Rajasthan and past. “Our artisans are our spine,” he emphasises, “They’re expert craftsmen, a lot of whom have been recognised with President’s Awards or UNESCO accolades.”
The partnership is not only transactional, it’s a symbiotic relationship aimed toward preserving conventional crafts whereas guaranteeing financial stability, he shares.
The artisans, predominantly ladies, play a pivotal function in each side of manufacturing. From sourcing and mixing clay to shaping and ending every bit, their experience ensures that each Swadeshi Blessings product meets stringent high quality requirements. “We be certain that our merchandise are lead-free and protected to be used,” he explains, underscoring their dedication to each craftsmanship and client well being.
The corporate makes merchandise reminiscent of mugs, bowls, wine glasses, cookers, cooking pots, saucepans, tawa (frying pan), kadhai (wok), mud handi (cooking basin), tea mild holders, idols, and extra — all utilizing clay.
The artisans are given orders on the idea of demand, they usually make the merchandise from the consolation of their houses. “We then gather the merchandise, carry out a top quality verify, after which pack them up and ship them to our clients,” he says. “Connecting with us has considerably improved the potters’ earnings, offering them with constant orders year-round. This has additionally inspired the youthful era to remain within the household enterprise, preserving the artwork kind.”
Motilal Ji (54) who has been working with Swadeshi Blessings for round 4 years, says, “We not should wander for work. Beforehand, our jobs lasted just a few months every year attributable to inconsistent orders. Since working with Swadeshi Blessings, we now have year-round work with a easy cost cycle, together with well timed advances and full cost upon order completion.”
He provides, “Our earnings has elevated considerably. Fulfilling one batch of orders in 1.5 to 2 months has tripled our month-to-month earnings in comparison with earlier than.”
Initially specializing in clay cooking utensils, Swadeshi Blessings has expanded its repertoire to incorporate wood and marble handicrafts. They promote over 65 kinds of cooking utensils at the moment, informs Dattatreya. Every product displays a mix of conventional artistry and fashionable sensibilities, resonating properly with health-conscious shoppers globally.
“After the pandemic hit the nation, we observed a shift amongst individuals in the direction of more healthy existence,” he observes. “They aren’t simply shopping for merchandise; they’re additionally embracing a cultural narrative.”
With shoppers everywhere in the world, Dattatreya highlights that it’s the export market that has probably the most demand. “We’re at the moment exporting to twenty international locations and promoting in cities like Delhi, Hyderabad and Bengaluru in India,” he says.
Trying forward, Swadeshi Blessings goals to strengthen its presence in worldwide markets whereas fostering deeper roots in India. “We’re increasing offline, beginning with partnerships like that with Nature’s Basket,” he reveals. “Our purpose is to make Swadeshi Blessings a family title, synonymous with high quality and custom.”
Speaking about his expertise at Shark Tank India, he says, “It was phenomenal, offering us with huge attain and vital advertising and marketing worth. We secured Rs 50 lakh whole funding from Sharks Namita Thapar and Vineeta Singh for five% and 4% fairness respectively. The journey concerned a number of rounds, together with video pitches and a stay presentation earlier than the precise shoot, which was each nerve-wracking and thrilling,” he says.
The corporate at the moment clocks an annual turnover of Rs 5 crore. Nonetheless, Dattatreya says, “It’s not nearly earnings. It’s about preserving our heritage, empowering artisans, and making a legacy for future generations.”
You should purchase their clay utensils right here.
(Edited by Pranita Bhat; All Photos Credit score: Swadeshi Blessings)
