Briefly tell us about your business and how you got started.
Bholu products are designed in Australia and are brought to life by the hands of female Indian artisans, using traditional techniques. Each piece is hand made, giving each product its own unique and original personality.
The philosophy behind Bholu is about creating products that we love and live with, while benefiting communities we work with along the way. By using their traditional skills, the artisans gain an income, and a pathway to independence and opportunity.
Bholu is a Fair Trade and Climate Neutral Company and part proceeds go back to the women and their communities, along with funding education facilities and other programs for underprivileged children.
Bholu was born after I had been living in India for a couple of years. I had gone to India on a scholarship to work as a set and costume designer for a traditional Indian dance company. I had been working there for some time and had fallen in love with the country and its people. After the devastating January 2001 earthquake which flattened most of Gujarat, I went to assist aid for a traditional village situated in the desert region of Kutchchh, in Western Gujarat, India, near the border of Pakistan. I worked with an NGO (non government organisation) based at the Mahatma Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. My job was to help build huts and traditionally decorate them.
I experienced amazing hospitality from these incredibly rural and poor traditional people. I became particularly close with the women, whose beautiful traditional embroidery is only really used for their own clothing. They are amazing women, their arms are covered in bangles and they do their embroidery in low light, often with a child strapped to their back. Their skills and art amazed me, and I thought immediately, “I have to do something with this.”
A few years later, I had achieved some amazing results which excited me and I could see the potential for production. I went back with my designs and gave the samples to different village women to see what would happen. The women laughed at the lack of sophistication of my designs and thought that their “Bholu” could do better! (‘Bholu’ means a small child, often a term of endearment for a grandchild)
The name stuck and Bholu was born!
The craftswomen in Gujarat traditionally are all skilled in embroidery; and their skill is passed down from generation to generation. Each village, in each area, in each part of the state, is known for its particular type of embroidery. The embroidery is only done by women, while the men are known for their wood carving. The products they make are only for their own personal, not commercial, use. The women embroider their own elaborate clothes, their daughters’ dowries, ornamental pieces for their homes, their own bags etc.
What have been your major achievements?
- Winning the NSW Telstra Business Award for Social Responsibility
- Building 3 preschools in Indian slums with part profits from the Bholu Kids range
- Actually getting Bholu to work and be known for a great high quality product
- Seeing the fruits of our labour taking effect on the communities that we work in – both socially and economically.
What have been your major challenges?
Starting production in a third world country, challenged with different languages, political, environmental and geographical differences and disasters. Working with people who are unfamiliar with Western standards of manufacture and colour, and Western expectations. Understanding the logistics, economic issues and implications of import/export.
Who has been your greatest mentor?
My greatest mentor has been Corrine Campbell (X-Doc). Corinne was my mentor from the Women In Business Program and has been a big part of my life ever since the program finished. My philanthropic mentor has been a man called Jayesh Patel (founder of Manav Sadhna, NGO India) who taught me how to lead the philanthropic side of my business.
What do you see as the barriers for women who find it hard to network and do you have any tips to overcome this barrier?
I think it is hard for some women to network as they feel inexperienced, or not in the same league as other women. I know I am definitely one of them! Initially, the thought of networking can be overwhelming and daunting, but after you start a conversation with anyone you realise you are all the same. I think that we can all benefit by sharing each others’ experiences and challenges, and supporting each other where we can. My tip to overcome this barrier is to not feel shy or inhibited about taking part at networking events or joining a network, as we are all in the same boat and all have something to share.
What have you found to be the most effective means of networking for your business and why?
Being involved in women’s business groups and networking organisations is a very easy way to be involved with like-minded women, and going to seminars about your industry are often very effective. You will meet other women who are often aligned with your industry and line of work, which makes you not feel so alone. Being involved in panels, being active in contributing to talks and seminars is also very important. Making time for people to talk, interview or share experiences is also very important.
What is one thing you have done in terms of networking that you have been proud of and what were the results?
I have been a speaker at several networking events, which is definitely not in my comfort zone (quite terrified actually), especially when the women I was speaking alongside were amazing, experienced and very inspiring businesswomen. I think I was able to provide the perspective of a new business owner who has paved her own unconventional way of making a business. I felt proud that even though I failed business maths at school, I was able to stand up in front of so many incredible businesswomen and share my story.
How do you stand out from your competitors in a general business sense and how important is networking to this difference between competitors and yourself?
We stand out from other businesses as we are really running our own unique race – we have allies rather than competitors. We join forces with like-minded organisations and design teams to collaborate and work together achieving synergistic results from our shared knowledge about other angles of business, design, experience and resources.
Where would you like to see your business in five years from now?
In five years time, I would like to see Bholu aligned with more like-minded designers and continuing to collaborate on projects, to create unique products and ventures. I would like to see Bholu settled firmly in the international market and working with new communities in other third world countries.
What are your Top Five Strategies for Success?
- Stay true and focused on your passion/dream and share it with as many people as you can.
- Have a great team around you and learn to delegate, let people have responsibility and contribute to your journey. You are only as good as the people around you.
- Call on mentors and advisors, ask questions and never stop learning.
- Keep branding consistent and true to the product and philosophy.
- Stay inspired and keep a balance in your life in order to have perspective on your goals and mission.
