Richa Kar is the founder of Zivame. Zivame is India’s leading online lingerie and intimate wear brand. Richa started Zivame in the year 2011 with an aim to revolutionize the lingerie market in India, which was dominated by a group of handful of traditional retailers at that time.

She was born and raised in Jamshedpur. Richa had a keen interest in entrepreneurship from a very young age. After completing her engineering degree, she worked in the corporate sector for many years before starting her own venture. She had observed that many women in India were uncomfortable buying lingerie in physical stores due to the conservative culture and the lack of privacy. This led her to start Zivame, an online store that offers a wide range of lingerie and intimate wear products.

Richa faced several challenges and issues while starting her business, including the fundamental lack of awareness about online shopping among Indian consumers, the hesitation of lingerie brands to sell online, and the toughest was gathering funds since there was limited available funding for startups. However, she kept going and could raise initial capital with the help of her family and friends.

Zivame faced much resistance from traditional retailers who saw the online store threatening their business. Richa had to work hard to gain consumers’ trust and convince them of the advantages of online shopping. She focused on providing a seamless customer experience. She offered a range of products that catered to different body types and preferences and gained the customers’ confidence. 

Zivame
Image Credit : Economic Times

The company gained popularity among Indian women, and within a few years, it became a household name in the country. Today, Zivame offers over 5,000 lingerie and intimate wear products from over 100 brands, making it one of India’s largest online lingerie stores.

Richa’s journey with Zivame has been a challenging but indeed rewarding one. Richa won several awards for her contribution to the Indian e-commerce industry, including the ‘Retail Icon of the Year’ award at the 2018 e-commerce industry awards. In addition to her role as founder and CEO of Zivame, Richa is also a mentor and advisor to several startups in India.

Richa’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and determination in facing challenges. She has shown that with hard work and a clear vision, it is possible to create a successful business even in a highly competitive industry like e-commerce. Her success has inspired many other women entrepreneurs in India to follow their dreams and start their businesses.

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