Biography of Vijay Sharma: Founder and CEO of Fabriclore- Entrepreneur

Biography of Vijay Sharma: Founder and CEO of Fabriclore- Entrepreneur

Biography of Vijay Sharma: Founder and CEO of Fabriclore- Entrepreneur/fabrics/age/net worth/investor/startup/Fabriclore story/Vijay Sharma story

Biography of Vijay Sharma:

Fabriclore: Revolutionizing Fabric Sourcing for Fashion Brands

Fabriclore is a tech-driven fabric sourcing platform based in Jaipur, India, designed to simplify the fabric procurement process for fashion brands. Founded by Vijay Sharma, Anupam D Arya, and Sandeep Sharma in 2016, Fabriclore aims to provide a seamless and efficient solution to the traditionally time-consuming and complex task of fabric sourcing. The platform connects fashion brands with a wide range of curated fabrics, offering an extensive selection that includes both traditional handloom textiles and modern, trendy designs. This innovation seeks to streamline the fabric sourcing process while providing high-quality materials to clients across India.

The Founders' Entrepreneurial Journey

Vijay Sharma, one of the co-founders of Fabriclore, brings a wealth of experience to the venture. Before entering the fabric industry, he worked in the oil and gas sector, where he successfully led Ozone Plan Design Services, a multidisciplinary engineering firm. With a passion for entrepreneurship, Vijay ventured into the fabric domain alongside his partners, Anupam D Arya and Sandeep Sharma. Their combined expertise in business and design allows them to offer an innovative platform that caters to the needs of fashion brands, big and small.

A Unique Business Model

The founders of Fabriclore identified a significant gap in the fabric sourcing industry, especially for fashion brands that faced challenges in outsourcing quality fabrics. To address this problem, they created Fabriclore, an online platform that connects designers with high-quality fabrics. Their goal is to simplify the sourcing process, offering a one-stop solution where designers can access a wide variety of fabrics at competitive prices, without the long delays and logistical challenges typical of traditional fabric sourcing.

Scaling Up Through Collaboration

Over the years, Fabriclore has established a strong network of over 200 vendors. This collaboration has allowed the company to create a robust production and design ecosystem, facilitating better sourcing and quality control. Through these partnerships, Fabriclore has been able to serve over 250 customers, providing them with a range of fabrics that cater to different fashion requirements. The company's extensive vendor network helps it source materials directly from the masters of traditional crafts, ensuring authenticity and high standards in every fabric it offers.

Biography of Vijay Sharma: Founder and CEO of Fabriclore- Entrepreneur/fabrics/age/net worth/investor/startup/Fabriclore story/Vijay Sharma story

Focus on Customization and Design

One of the key features of Fabriclore's platform is its emphasis on customization. The company works closely with modern designers to create unique fabric designs that cater to the evolving needs of the fashion industry. Whether it's for clothing or home furnishings, Fabriclore aims to inspire creativity in the fashion world by offering a diverse range of fabrics, including boho and fusion styles. This focus on customization has allowed Fabriclore to carve a niche for itself, appealing to designers who seek distinctive and high-quality fabrics for their collections.

Building the Brand's Reputation

Fabriclore's success can be attributed to its commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. The brand pays meticulous attention to every fabric it curates, ensuring that each piece meets the highest standards of craftsmanship. By sourcing directly from traditional fabric masters, the company can offer fabrics that reflect the rich heritage of Indian textiles. Additionally, Fabriclore has built a strong online presence, making it easier for fashion brands to browse and purchase fabrics from the comfort of their own offices.

 Biography of Vijay Sharma: Founder and CEO of Fabriclore- Entrepreneur/ fabrics/age/net worth/investor/startup/Fabriclore story/Vijay Sharma story

Pivoting to B2B: A Strategic Shift

In recent years, Fabriclore shifted its business model from a B2C (business-to-consumer) approach to a B2B (business-to-business) model. This strategic pivot was driven by the founders’ realization that the demand for high-quality, curated fabrics was greater among fashion brands and designers than individual consumers. By focusing on the B2B market, Fabriclore was able to expand its reach and offer its services to a larger customer base, including established brands and emerging designers looking for unique fabrics for their collections.

Challenges and Setbacks

Despite the innovation and growth, Fabriclore faced challenges along the way. The company struggled with consistent profitability and faced losses of around INR 14 lakhs every month, despite a revenue of INR 40 lakhs. These financial challenges made it difficult for the company to attract investment from potential backers. Additionally, the business was burdened with debt, which further complicated its efforts to scale. These difficulties were discussed openly during the company's appearance on Shark Tank India, where the founders faced tough questions about their financial health.

Shark Tank Pitch: A Missed Opportunity

In a bid to secure investment, Fabriclore’s founders pitched their business on Shark Tank India during the third season of the show. They asked for INR 68.7 lakhs in exchange for 1% equity, valuing their company at INR 68.7 crores. While the Sharks were impressed by the potential of the platform, they expressed concerns about the company's financial performance and the high valuation. Although the founders were able to showcase their innovative business model and vision, they ultimately did not secure a deal from any of the investors.

Learning from the Sharks' Feedback

While Fabriclore did not receive an investment from the Sharks, they were able to gain valuable insights and feedback from the investors. The Sharks questioned the founders about their business model, the pivot to B2B, and their plans for turning the business profitable. Despite the tough feedback, the founders remained optimistic, taking the advice to heart and planning to make adjustments to their approach moving forward. They were encouraged to focus on improving their financial management and profitability to strengthen their position in the market.

The Road Ahead for Fabriclore

In the wake of their Shark Tank appearance, Fabriclore has continued to focus on expanding its vendor network and improving its product offerings. The company remains committed to providing high-quality fabrics and offering customized solutions to its B2B clients. With its unique blend of traditional and modern textiles, Fabriclore aims to grow its presence in the Indian market and beyond. The founders are hopeful that with a renewed focus on profitability and cost control, Fabriclore will be able to scale successfully in the future.

Fabriclore's Vision for the Future

The founders of Fabriclore are passionate about their mission to bridge the gap between traditional Indian fabrics and modern design. Their vision is to create a global platform for fabric sourcing that celebrates the rich textile heritage of India while embracing contemporary fashion trends. By continuing to build strong relationships with fabric vendors and designers, Fabriclore hopes to become a leading name in the fabric sourcing industry. The company is also focused on expanding its reach to international markets, where there is growing demand for high-quality Indian fabrics.

Fabriclore's Impact on the Indian Fabric Industry

Fabriclore has played a significant role in reviving traditional handloom crafts and promoting them to a wider audience. By providing a platform for these unique fabrics, the company has helped preserve India’s rich textile heritage while also supporting local artisans. Additionally, Fabriclore’s focus on customization has enabled designers to experiment with new styles and create innovative fashion pieces. This combination of tradition and innovation has positioned Fabriclore as a key player in the Indian fabric industry, contributing to its growth and diversification.

Looking Forward with Optimism

Despite the challenges, Fabriclore’s founders remain optimistic about the future. They are determined to continue building the brand and refining their business model to make it more sustainable and profitable. With a focus on innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction, Fabriclore aims to overcome its current obstacles and emerge as a leading force in the fabric sourcing industry. The lessons learned from their Shark Tank experience will serve as valuable tools as they work towards achieving their long-term goals.

A timeline of Fabriclore’s journey:

2016: Founded by Vijay Sharma, Anupam D Arya, and Sandeep Sharma in Jaipur, India, to simplify fabric sourcing.

2016-2020: Built a network of over 200 vendors and served 250+ customers, focusing on high-quality curated fabrics.

2021: Shifted to a B2B model, targeting fashion brands and designers instead of individual consumers.

2023: Appeared on Shark Tank India (Season 3) asking for INR 68.7 lakhs for 1% equity but did not secure an investment.

Post-2023: Focused on profitability, expanding vendor network, and strengthening its B2B offerings.

2024: Plans to scale, focus on sustainability, and expand into international markets.

 Biography of Vijay Sharma: Founder and CEO of Fabriclore- Entrepreneur/ fabrics/age/net worth/investor/startup/Fabriclore story/Vijay Sharma story

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