Ankush R Barjata, the creator of DEEVA, an online sari store, has demonstrated the power of persistence and invention in a competitive industry, demonstrating that entrepreneurial ambitions can blossom even in the most unlikely corners of the nation. The youthful businessperson managed to get an agreement from Aman, Radhika, and Ritesh Aggarwal.
In an episode of Shark Tank India Season 3, a man wearing a saree arrived to make his pitch. Some could describe it as odd, while others might say it’s his loyalty to his brand. However, Ankush R. Barjata delivered his presentation in this manner during a recent Shark Tank India Season 3 episode. The judges were immediately drawn to his appearance. His brand, DEEVA: The Online Sari Store, impressed them even more. The startup’s presence was felt at India’s largest entrepreneurial television platform thanks to the ranegs of sarees, and Aman Gupta, co-Founder and CMO of boAt, Radhika Gupta, MD & CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund, and Ritesh Aggarwal, Founder and CEO of OYO Rooms, supported Barjata’s initiative by investing in it through Shark Tank.
Ankush, who was born in the small village of Bangana in the Una district of Himachal Pradesh, started his journey in June 2022 when he started DEEVA in order to close a significant gap in the market. Though sarees were traditionally thought to be worn only by women, Ankush noticed that more and more guys were starting to wear them. With the goal of providing a wide selection of sarees on a single platform, Ankush travelled the nation working with producers to establish DEEVA.
The business idea was inspired by his family’s history in the textile industry. With the goal of revolutionizing the saree market, Ankush entered the retail saree business, carrying on his father’s and grandfather’s history. Ankush’s tenacity overcame early obstacles, like as his father’s business losses during the pandemic, and inspired him to look for chances outside of his village.
His entrepreneurial zeal was ignited when he came across a saree producer in Hyderabad. Acknowledging the possibility of reasonably priced, high-quality sarees, Ankush set out to close the gap between producers and buyers. DEEVA’s distinctive selling point is its direct sourcing approach, which guarantees excellent quality and low cost.
DEEVA serves a broad market looking for reasonably priced choices, with a primary focus on powerloom sarees. Ankush wants to sell sarees for half as much online as they do at traditional stores. Moreover, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers may work together easily because to DEEVA’s inclusive strategy.
DEEVA has experienced exponential development while operating in a rural environment; this year, it expects to generate Rs 7 crore in sales. Ankush’s policy of no questions asked returns demonstrates his dedication to client satisfaction and builds patron trust and loyalty. DEEVA’s substantial EBITDA and robust gross margin attest to Ankush’s astute business sense.
