Prachi Bhatia, started a Rs 35 lakh home décor firm with Rs 1 lakh four years ago and overcame several obstacles.
The 28-year-old entrepreneur, who belongs to a middle-class family in Ghaziabad, defied financial and social restrictions. Today, her business ‘Chokhat’ represents her courage, creativity, and passion.
Her tale shows how thinking big and working hard can change your life.
Leaving her job at 24, Prachi established her business in Indirapuram, Ghaziabad, from home. “I developed, photographed, and sold the things on my website after visiting craftspeople for manufacturing. I did everything.”
Starting with seven distinctive goods including the Ananas Fruit Basket, Netra Tissue Holder, and Bulbul Cutlery Holder, she worked hard with Moradabad, Jaipur, and Noida artisans.
Prachi persisted despite her age and gender often causing conflict with the experienced craftspeople she worked with.
Since the designs were my, I had to ignore the offense and direct them. They commonly featured nature and animals to symbolize our connection to nature.” She designed rooms with animal, fruit, and bird themes to bring nature within.
As the daughter of a journalist father and a housewife mother, she had financial struggles. Her parents often paid school fees late, and she never went on school trips since we couldn’t afford them. Since it was my last year, I could only go to Mussoorie in Class 12.
Prachi finished Class 12 at Lovely Public School in Priyadarshni Vihar, East Delhi.
Prachi wanted to study design, but finances limited her. I passed NIFT but couldn’t afford Delhi due to accommodation and other costs. I joined GD Goenka University in Gurugram instead, she says.
I needed a loan to pay for college. I offered to attend Delhi University to save money, but my mother insisted on finding a way. My mum cried that day.”
Prachi started a Facebook business selling photo albums, photo-printed lamps, cards, and roses at college to help her parents.
“I don’t remember my monthly earnings, but I remember getting my hair colored for the first time with Rs. 5000,” she laughs.
Prachi graduated with a Bachelor of Design from GD Goenka University in 2017. She had always loved the arts.
“I was an ordinary student, scoring 70%–80% on tests. Her interest was art and crafts, and she has many certificates. “I focused on my education in college to keep my scholarship and manage my loans. I topped college.”
Her dedication earned her scholarships, including a Times of India scholarship for four years of Rs. 36,000 per year.
Having vitiligo made Prachi a target for bullies throughout her life.
I was bullied in school and college. Hard to accept myself. I realize after 16 years of struggle how much society can make things tougher, especially for a lady with vitiligo.”
Prachi began her career in several jobs after college. After working as an assistant designer at S and R Exports, she became a merchandiser at Li & Fung, an MNC in Gurgaon.
The entrepreneurial bug bit her. My second day at my new job, something told me I wasn’t excited about helping people. My resignation was sent. Just two days at the new job.”
Her job experiences inspired her home decor business. Her relatives and friends helped her choose ‘Chokhat’ from several names.
Unfunded, she launched her firm with Rs. 1 lakh in savings. “My father and older sister were the only working members in my family when I left my job,” she explains.
She used Facebook and Instagram advertisements starting at Rs. 40 per day to promote her business. She also held exhibitions and distributed flyers. Over time, her monthly marketing budget rose to Rs. 50,000.
She pushed through the first few months of low orders and saw her business grow year by year. “It was Rs 3 lakh in the first year, Rs 11 lakh in the second, Rs 11.3 lakh in the third, and Rs 35.5 lakh last year,” Prachi recalls.
Prachi’s business could have suffered from the pandemic’s quick outbreak and lockdown. However, she changed her marketing strategy to capitalize on social media engagement, resulting in Rs. 11.5 lakh in orders.
Prachi’s Chokhat now has over 70 products and receives orders from across India. She works with two interns and one full-time packer in a 1200 sq. ft. workplace.
Prachi’s mission is to offer cheap, eccentric, and eye-catching home decor, from the Kurma Candle Holder at Rs. 499 to the Ananas Fruit Basket at Rs. 1699.
She boasts, “Fruit Baskets and Cutlery Holders sell best. Our prices are unbeatable and our possibilities are unique.” Her products are exclusively available online.
In April 2023, “Chokhat” became “Chokhat Home Pvt. Ltd.,” a private limited company. Prachi partners with reliable delivery services to expedite orders.
As clear as her daily routine, Prachi wants Chokhat to be a Rs. 400 crore firm and the ‘first choice’ for household products.
Conclusion:-
Prachi Bhatia, a 28-year-old entrepreneur from Ghaziabad, started home décor firm Chokhat four years ago. Despite facing financial and social restrictions, Chokhat has grown to over 70 products and receives orders from across India. Despite facing bullying and vitiligo, Prachi’s dedication to her craft has earned her scholarships, including a Times of India scholarship for four years. Chokhat’s business has grown year by year, with orders reaching Rs. 35.5 lakh in the last year. Despite the pandemic’s lockdown, Chokhat capitalized on social media engagement, resulting in Rs. 11.5 lakh in orders. Chokhat now operates with over 70 products and a 1200 sq. ft. workplace. Prachi aims to make Chokhat a Rs. 400 crore firm and the ‘first choice’ for household products.
