All through my youth summers, a distinguished characteristic was once the earthen pots that naturally cooled the water. I cherished the unique scent of those pots. On the other hand, as I grew older, that herbal aroma was once changed via the synthetic smell of plastic bottles saved within the refrigerator.
As extra other people followed trendy generation, conventional potters and artisans regularly started to lose their livelihoods. “Their artwork has been demise, changing into a seasonal follow, which has compelled long run generations of artisans to hunt different employment,” says Dattatreya Vyas, the founding father of Swadeshi Blessings.
Situated within the middle of Rajasthan, this family-run industry specialises in growing clay utensils and kitchenware. The project is to revitalise the livelihoods of potters and craftsmen via getting rid of middlemen and connecting their merchandise at once with customers. By way of partnering with over 100 artisans, the corporate has equipped year-round employment alternatives.
Not too long ago, the logo inspired the buyers on Shark Tank Season 2, securing a deal of Rs 50 lakh from Namita Thapar and Vineeta Singh.
A possibility come across
Changing into an entrepreneur was once by no means a part of Dattatreya’s plan. “I used to be fortunately operating within the company international. No person in my family members had ever ventured out to grow to be marketers and I had no plans both,” he says.
The adventure started throughout the difficult days of the COVID-19 lockdown. “We have been all operating from house,” he remembers, “and amidst the uncertainty, we discovered inspiration proper in our yard. Within the evenings, we used to walk round our locality and close by villages. One night, we spotted a number of potters promoting their crafts to vacationers, their livelihoods depending on tourism. Because of the lockdown, they have been suffering to make ends meet.”
Historically reliant on tourism, those artisans confronted a stark fact because the lockdown introduced all trip to a halt. “My family members and I hooked up with them, realising lets assist supply a extra solid source of revenue and carry their artwork shape. So, my mom, sister-in-law, brother, and I made up our minds to assist them,” he provides.
This laid the root for ‘Swadeshi Blessings’, which changed into a registered industry in 2020. “On the other hand, I used to be somewhat not sure about how one can continue and whether or not it was once the suitable choice. So, I didn’t surrender my process and controlled each issues concurrently. It was once handiest in 2023 that I made up our minds to surrender my process and devote totally to the industry,” he informs.
He talks concerning the hurdles he confronted whilst putting in place the industry, announcing, “With restricted sources and data, we grew to become to YouTube to be told the whole lot from checklist merchandise to advertising. Packaging introduced an important problem, as our merchandise had to be securely packed for world transport. Moreover, we advanced an instruction handbook to assist consumers use and take care of our merchandise correctly,” he says.
Collaboration with increasingly more artisans on a daily basis!
At this time, Swadeshi Blessings collaborates with over 120 artisans unfold throughout Rajasthan and past. “Our artisans are our spine,” he emphasises, “They’re professional craftsmen, a lot of whom were recognised with President’s Awards or UNESCO accolades.”
The partnership is not only transactional, it’s a symbiotic courting geared toward protecting conventional crafts whilst making sure financial balance, he stocks.
The artisans, predominantly girls, play a pivotal function in each and every side of manufacturing. From sourcing and combining clay to shaping and completing each and every piece, their experience guarantees that each and every Swadeshi Blessings product meets stringent high quality requirements. “We make sure that our merchandise are lead-free and protected to be used,” he explains, underscoring their dedication to each craftsmanship and client fitness.
The corporate makes merchandise similar to mugs, bowls, wine glasses, cookers, cooking pots, saucepans, tawa (frying pan), kadhai (wok), dust handi (cooking basin), tea mild holders, idols, and extra — all the use of clay.
The artisans are given orders at the foundation of call for, and so they make the goods from the relief in their properties. “We then gather the goods, carry out a high quality test, after which pack them up and send them to our consumers,” he says. “Connecting with us has considerably progressed the potters’ source of revenue, offering them with constant orders year-round. This has additionally inspired the more youthful technology to stick within the family members industry, protecting the artwork shape.”
Motilal Ji (54) who has been operating with Swadeshi Blessings for round 4 years, says, “We now not need to wander for paintings. Prior to now, our jobs lasted only some months each and every yr because of inconsistent orders. Since operating with Swadeshi Blessings, we now have year-round paintings with a easy fee cycle, together with well timed advances and entire fee upon order of entirety.”
He provides, “Our source of revenue has higher considerably. Pleasant one batch of orders in 1.5 to 2 months has tripled our per month source of revenue in comparison to prior to.”
First of all specializing in clay cooking utensils, Swadeshi Blessings has expanded its repertoire to incorporate picket and marble handicrafts. They promote over 65 varieties of cooking utensils recently, informs Dattatreya. Each and every product displays a mix of conventional artistry and trendy sensibilities, resonating smartly with health-conscious customers globally.
“After the pandemic hit the country, we spotted a shift amongst other people in opposition to fitter existence,” he observes. “They aren’t simply purchasing merchandise; they’re additionally embracing a cultural narrative.”
With customers all over the place the arena, Dattatreya highlights that it’s the export marketplace that has probably the most call for. “We’re recently exporting to twenty nations and promoting in towns like Delhi, Hyderabad and Bengaluru in India,” he says.
Having a look forward, Swadeshi Blessings targets to toughen its presence in world markets whilst fostering deeper roots in India. “We’re increasing offline, beginning with partnerships like that with Nature’s Basket,” he finds. “Our purpose is to make Swadeshi Blessings a family title, synonymous with high quality and custom.”
Speaking about his enjoy at Shark Tank India, he says, “It was once exceptional, offering us with huge succeed in and important advertising worth. We secured Rs 50 lakh overall investment from Sharks Namita Thapar and Vineeta Singh for five% and four% fairness respectively. The adventure concerned a couple of rounds, together with video pitches and a reside presentation prior to the true shoot, which was once each nerve-wracking and thrilling,” he says.
The corporate recently clocks an annual turnover of Rs 5 crore. On the other hand, Dattatreya says, “It’s no longer on the subject of income. It’s about protecting our heritage, empowering artisans, and making a legacy for long run generations.”
You’ll purchase their clay utensils right here.
(Edited via Pranita Bhat; All Pictures Credit score: Swadeshi Blessings)