#2 - From Simba to Sustainability: The Birth of Aramesh

I will keep this blog short(er than I intended), as it serves as a backstory for the next few blogs to come. This letter tells you all about how Aramesh came into existence.

As an only child, when I asked for a sibling, my parents got me a brother—Simba the cat. I've always loved animals and grew up surrounded by a wide variety of them, but my affection deepened as my bond with Simba grew stronger (along with his scratches). Just as I always wanted a sibling, I've also always aspired to be an entrepreneur. I never knew exactly what I wanted to build, but I felt a deep internal drive to create something meaningful—and, of course, to one day make it onto the Forbes 30 under 30 list.

Last June, during a brief sabbatical from work spurred by what some might call an over-dramatic and premature quarter-life crisis, I decided to combine the two things I know best: sustainability and pets (Check out my LinkedIn for proof). That's how Aramesh was born. Aramesh embodies values that I believe are essential for all people and brands: inclusivity, transparency, gentleness, and FUN! We've launched with vibrant, sustainable collars and leashes handmade by a very dedicated artisan, Sharif. These products replace traditional nylon ones, which are non-recyclable and release microplastics with every wash—pollutants that eventually make their way into rivers and oceans, and even into our bodies through the food chain.

To be honest, I haven't perfected our products yet, nor have I fully carved out our niche. But through conversations with many pet parents, I've learned a great deal about the types of products they truly need and want. For example - wiggle proof collars and harnesses for our clever beloved Indies! I am now committed to addressing these real-world challenges.

When I first launched Aramesh, I had no idea where to find the right raw materials. I explored India Mart, visited local markets, and initially bought all the wrong items. However, most of these shopkeepers were incredibly supportive when they learned that a young woman was starting her own brand. From referring me to the right vendors to making exceptions with their sales price, I’ve met some of the kindest people on my journey to launch Aramesh. One elderly shopkeeper even offered me a significant discount on my first purchase as a gesture of good luck. He shared his thoughts on how he believes some of our generation are wasting their talents, and he wanted to support someone like me who was determined to make a difference. His kindness touched me deeply.

As I mentioned, this blog is just a brief introduction. It sets the stage for the upcoming posts, where I'll delve into challenges like sourcing raw materials for a small business dealing with constraints like minimum order quantities and how I overcame these challenges.

Stay tuned for more on the journey of building Aramesh.