Biography of Mansi Gupta: Founder of Tjori -Indian Entrepreneur
Biography of Mansi Gupta:
Mansi Gupta founded Tjori in January 2013 in India with the
vision of blending traditional Indian handicrafts with a modern twist to gain
global recognition. The inception of Tjori was inspired by a classroom project
during Gupta’s studies at The Wharton Business School of Executive Education.
She invested her personal resources of ₹10 lakh to launch the brand, which has
since achieved significant growth, generating ten times its initial revenue
annually.
Early Life and Influences
Mansi Gupta was born and raised in Jammu, India, in a family
passionate about travel and handicrafts. Her family's tradition of bringing
back handicrafts from their travels exposed her to a rich variety of
traditional art forms from a young age. This early exposure sparked her deep
appreciation for handicrafts. She completed her schooling at MHAC School,
Nagbani, and Maharaja Harisingh Collegiate School in Jammu before pursuing her
undergraduate degree.
Education
Mansi Gupta pursued her Executive Program in Finance &
Entrepreneurship at The Wharton School from 2011 to 2012. Prior to that, she
earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing and Finance from
Cardiff University in 2008. Her educational background laid the foundation for
her successful entrepreneurial journey, equipping her with the knowledge and
skills to launch and grow Tjori into a prominent player in the global ethnic
fashion market.
Mansi Gupta is an alumnus of The Wharton School, where she
furthered her expertise in business and leadership. Her educational background,
combined with her extensive experience in corporate sales and entrepreneurship,
has equipped her with the skills necessary to lead Tjori.com to success and
maintain its position as a significant player in the wellness and retail
industry.
Previous Corporate Experience
Before embarking on her entrepreneurial journey, Gupta
gained valuable corporate experience as a Senior Corporate Account Manager at
IBM India Private Limited. From September 2008 to December 2011, she managed
corporate sales for key clients, including Bharti, Quippo/Viom Networks, and
Indus Towers. This role honed her skills in client management, strategic sales,
and understanding large-scale business operations.
Professional Experience and Entrepreneurial Journey
Before founding Tjori, Mansi Gupta worked in corporate sales
at IBM, gaining valuable industry experience. Her participation in the Wharton
Program for Working Professionals further refined her business insights and
helped crystallize her vision for Tjori. The idea for Tjori emerged from this
program, combining her passion for handicrafts with a deep understanding of
business strategies.
Founder and CEO at Tjori.com
Mansi Gupta has been the driving force behind Tjori.com
since its inception in 2013. As the Founder and CEO, she has led the company
through its growth trajectory, establishing it as a leading brand in the online
retail space specializing in traditional and contemporary wellness products.
Her role involves strategic oversight, innovation, and ensuring the brand's
vision aligns with market demands.
Expansion and Offerings
Tjori has evolved into a comprehensive lifestyle brand,
offering a diverse range of products across both fashion and non-fashion
categories. This includes apparel, accessories, footwear, home decor, and
personal care items. The brand has successfully extended its reach to 195
countries through its website and digital marketing strategies.
Emerging Stronger Post-Pandemic
Gupta’s brand not only survived but thrived in the aftermath
of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reflecting on her entrepreneurial journey, she
emphasizes how entrepreneurship itself is a profound learning experience.
“Entrepreneurship completely transforms you as an individual and changes the
way you look at life and your ability to manage problems, stress, and people,”
she shared. This transformation is ongoing, as there is always more to learn
and adapt to in the ever-evolving business landscape.
Biography of Mansi Gupta: Founder of Tjori -Indian Entrepreneur/Investor/ Startup/Success story of Mansi Gupta/Tjori story/Life story of Mansi Gupta
Navigating Through the Storm
The pandemic presented significant challenges globally, and
Gupta's business was no exception. However, she credits strategic decisions
made before the crisis for helping her brand navigate through the tumultuous
period. The agility and resilience inherent in the company’s focus on ayurvedic
and organic wellness allowed them to pivot effectively during the pandemic,
ensuring they met new demands and continued to serve their customers.
Adapting to Immediate Needs
In response to the urgent needs arising from the pandemic,
Gupta’s brand swiftly adapted by launching sanitizers, a critical necessity at
the time. This quick decision showcased their ability to remain relevant and
responsive to changing market conditions, demonstrating a keen understanding of
the evolving needs of their customer base during a global crisis.
Introducing New Essentials
As the situation improved, Gupta’s brand expanded its
offerings by introducing face masks, further solidifying their role in
providing essential health products. This proactive approach not only met
immediate demands but also paved the way for incorporating these products into
their catalog under a new brand category called 'Raksha'. This strategic move
aims to ensure that the company is well-prepared for any future pandemics or
health crises.
Building for the Future
With the pandemic behind us, Gupta's brand continues to
adapt and innovate, integrating essential health products into their catalog.
The creation of the 'Raksha' category underscores their commitment to long-term
resilience and preparedness. By addressing both immediate and future needs,
Gupta's brand exemplifies how strategic foresight and adaptability can turn
challenges into opportunities for growth and improvement.
Mansi Gupta’s Path to Success
Mansi Gupta's entry into the fashion industry was far from
easy. Initially, she faced significant obstacles, including a lack of technical
knowledge about the fashion world. Despite her enthusiasm and passion for
handicrafts, she had to navigate through a steep learning curve. She and her
team were determined to overcome these challenges by immersing themselves in
the technical aspects of fashion, gradually gaining the expertise needed to
thrive in the industry.
Overcoming Industry Hurdles
One of the major hurdles Mansi and her team encountered was
sourcing high-quality fabrics. The quest for the perfect materials involved
extensive research and negotiations, but their persistence paid off.
Additionally, working with a diverse range of artisans presented its own set of
challenges, from maintaining quality standards to ensuring fair practices.
Through perseverance and adaptability, they managed to build strong
relationships with artisans, further enhancing their ability to deliver
exceptional products.
Building Expertise and Craftsmanship
The journey was marked by a continuous process of learning
and adaptation. As Mansi and her team delved deeper into the intricacies of the
fashion industry, they developed a nuanced understanding of both technical and
creative aspects. This knowledge was crucial in overcoming initial setbacks and
ensuring that their products met high standards of craftsmanship and quality.
Rising Above Challenges
Ultimately, Mansi Gupta's dedication and resilience enabled
her to turn initial struggles into opportunities for growth. By addressing
technical gaps, sourcing quality materials, and working closely with artisans,
she and her team transformed their vision into a successful venture in the
fashion industry. Their story is a testament to the power of perseverance and
passion in overcoming challenges and achieving success.
Tjori's Global Expansion and Vision
Tjori, an e-commerce platform renowned for its ethnic fashion
offerings, has made a significant mark in the global market. Mansi Gupta, CEO
and Founder of Tjori, reflects on the brand's remarkable journey, stating that
it has been an incredible experience. Tjori now serves customers in 195
countries through its digital marketing efforts and e-commerce site. Gupta
highlights the brand's mission to bridge the gap between authentic Indian
handicrafts and faux work, ensuring that genuine products are showcased and
sold at fair prices.
Overcoming Initial Hurdles
Mansi Gupta's journey with Tjori began with a series of
significant challenges. One of the biggest obstacles was launching the business
in India, where the traditional value chain of the handicraft industry made
handcrafted products expensive for customers. This high cost was a barrier to
widespread adoption and limited the market reach. Recognizing the potential in
North America for Indian handcrafted products, Gupta faced the challenge of
connecting directly with this customer base despite logistical difficulties.
Navigating Technology and Logistics
In addition to market challenges, Mansi Gupta had to contend
with technological, logistical, and supply chain issues. Early on, Tjori had
limited investment and a small team, making it challenging for her to handle
all aspects of the business single-handedly. The brand’s initial growth led to
an overwhelming customer response, which, while positive, created new problems.
Scaling up the business required more resources and manpower than were
available, complicating efforts to manage the expanding operations effectively.
Scaling Up the Business
As Tjori began to grow, managing this growth became a
critical issue. The lack of sufficient resources and staff meant that Gupta had
to find ways to balance increasing demand with operational constraints. The
challenge was not just in maintaining quality and service but also in
effectively scaling the logistics and supply chain to meet the rising demand.
Challenges and Future Goals
Initially, Tjori faced numerous challenges, but the brand's
current focus is on expanding beyond e-commerce into physical retail stores,
both in India and internationally. Gupta emphasizes the need for well-designed
interiors, strategic store locations, and effective merchandising to uphold the
brand’s reputation and objectives.
Timeline for Mansi Gupta’s story
January 2013: Mansi Gupta founded Tjori in India to blend
traditional handicrafts with modern design.
2008: Earned an MBA in Marketing and Finance from Cardiff
University.
2011-2012: Completed an Executive Program in Finance &
Entrepreneurship at The Wharton School.
September 2008 - December 2011: Worked as a Senior Corporate
Account Manager at IBM India.
2020: Adapted Tjori’s offerings to include sanitizers and
face masks in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2023: Expanded Tjori's reach to 195 countries and introduced
the 'Raksha' category for health products.
