Tell us about Savelo.
Savelo is one of a kind e-commerce fashion platform that is specifically designed for fashion design students who are looking for opportunities and first-hand experience in the industry. It gives the fresh, young minds a platform where they are able to create and design their heart and soul and see it come to reality as Savelo puts their designs into production and helps them in launching their own label and name in the industry.
Fashion Design is a very intensive course, where students don’t really have much time to invest into gaining work experience. As a result, a majority of them do a 4-6 months internship after their graduation so they can land a job. Now this is where Savelo comes in. We are building an opportunity where these students can launch their label, gain market knowledge and create a name for themselves. All they have to do is submit the designs and focus back on their course, we take care of all the hassle involved in the process – manufacturing, marketing, photoshoots, customer service what not! As a result, these students end up saving those 4-6 months.
What inspired you to start Savelo?
Ever since my high school days, I’ve been involved to help the student community because I know being a student and starting a career is hard. It’s really nasty for young buds because nobody takes you seriously when you are just starting. They think you lack experience and that’s one thing I want to eliminate because young minds always have fresh ideas to shape the future for the next generation.
I always knew I wanted to ease the process for students who are just starting out and what could be better than injecting new blood into the economy. Apart from my love of helping the students I am also a fashion enthusiast and while combining the two, I just knew it in my heart that this is what I love and what I want to do for the rest of my life.
Tell us about your career and background?
Business and Entrepreneurship runs in my blood. I come from a business background and hence I’ve always been a part of discussions that revolve around business deals and business ideas. I really appreciate creativity and I am one curious nut to be honest. I chose to go to a business school of my further studies and my course in specific allowed me to travel to 3 culturally different cities i.e. Singapore , Dubai and Sydney. After I finished my degree, I decided to go back to India and get some hands on experience with my father’s business. 6 months down the line, I knew I was ready to start something of my own and hence all of this combined made me to take a dip in the sea and delve into the world of fashion and start Savelo.
Describe your work day?
Well, you can take an Indian outside of India but the inner Indian never goes away and hence my day starts with some calming yoga, sweet morning masala chai and breakfast but to further answer your question, imagine starting a business that no one else has ever touched before and all these amazing ideas following in your head every single day. That’s my typical work day for you right there. It’s also the reason why there is no straight answer to this question, each day is unique in its own way. Somedays are hard, somedays are light and breezy and some other days are just unique because I am faced with a challenge that I never even saw coming. It’s a good thing too because when I do find a solution to those problems, the day just gets better and the excitements just gets bigger.
Has COVID-19 affected your business? How are you navigating that?
Not gonna lie, it has affected the business in a way or two because we had decided to launch our platform by the end of April this year but with the covid19 scare, things did go a little south for us because the designs were already into production when the lockdown and quarantine took over suddenly. Being a new business we couldn’t risk the launch and hence we have decided on later date for the launch now. But I would like to mention our design partners as they have been really patient and understanding with the whole situation.
What advice do you have for those wanting to start a business?
My only advice is “START BEFORE YOU ARE READY”. I have personally always worked on the same mantra. What we have is now. Tomorrow is unknown. I have honestly talked about this to a lot of people and not only in terms of business but otherwise too. I have talked to people about family, friendship, life goals and philosophy and this is the only conclusion I draw every single time. There is no ‘right time’ and hence present is what we should appreciate. Not to forget my fitness trainer, Mr. Jitu who has made me realize over the years that “you’re always more than ready”. So start now, and just stay dedicated to whatever you want to achieve in life. Trust me you’ll be surprised where you end up tomorrow.
What’s next for you, and Savelo?
As for now it’s launching the brand and getting good publicity to start with but I do have eyes set on expansion of product lines and also across the Australian borders. But that will come with time. All I am really focused right now is getting Savelo off it’s feet. You can always be updated on whats happening though our Instagram @savelo_au or our website https://savelo.com.au/
