Richa Kar’s life journey demonstrates her persistence through hardship while maintaining her strong beliefs and her unique form of resistance. Her journey began when she resisted her family’s wishes, yet she succeeded in establishing India’s biggest online lingerie brand, which indicates that true transformation starts from feeling uncomfortable. Zivame serves as a contemporary Indian version of Victoria’s Secret because the brand shows how a woman fought against cultural restrictions to create an entirely new fashion industry.
Early Life and Education
Richa entered Jamshedpur on July 17 1980, into a middle-class family that followed traditional customs. Her father worked at Tata Steel while her mother stayed home to take care of their family. Richa began her professional career after finishing her post-graduate diploma at SVKM’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, NMIMS, in 2007, by joining different organizations including Spencers and SAP Retail Consultancy. She worked in different designation which enabled her to develop expertise in understanding how consumers behave and how retail systems function.
The Idea Behind Zivame
While Richa worked at SAP, where she conducted an in-depth analysis of the online business model used by Victoria’s Secret. She found out that Indian women faced various difficulties when shopping for lingerie because they had limited options to select from and experienced uncomfortable store visits, which brought them social shame. Zivame emerged as a marketplace solution to this market need because it provides users with private and comfortable shopping experiences that boost their self-assurance.
Family Opposition and Challenges Faced
Richa faced her parents as her greatest obstacle to achieving her goals. Her father expressed skepticism while her mother first showed her embarrassment about the concept. Her determination to succeed eventually earned her triumph over her greatest battle. Her mother later backed the business initiative, which resulted in her investing her personal funds and obtaining financial support from family members.
Zivame’s Growth and Success
Zivame started its operations in 2011 when it raised ₹35 lakh through contributions from friends and family. however the company encountered initial difficulties because it needed to establish an office location and build customer confidence. The company received its first major order from Indore, which proved that its business concept worked. Funding soon followed, including Ratan Tata’s investment in 2015. By 2020, Zivame was valued at $200 million, cementing its leadership in India’s lingerie market.
