Launching SaaRii last year was one of the biggest leaps I’ve ever taken in my professional life. This first year has been a rollercoaster, filled with wins and lessons, all while navigating one of the toughest markets for small businesses - a challenging economy in an election year. Without any formal background in business or marketing, I’ve relied on a mix of gut instinct, advice from fellow founders, Facebook business groups, and countless hours of listening to fashion brand startup podcasts.
Here’s a candid look at the lessons I’ve learned and the wins I’ve celebrated in my first year as a clothing brand owner:
Lessons Learned
1. Taking Fabric Composition at Face Value during product development:
When sourcing sarees, I was thrilled to find materials labeled as “Silk Blend.” Excited, I immediately went into production. However, before ordering care labels, I decided to get the fabric tested in a lab—and to my surprise, it turned out to be 100% polyester. I felt cheated, as I had assumed there was actual silk in the blend. Thankfully, industry friends reassured me: polyester is actually more suitable for jackets, being sturdier and easier to fabricate than slippery silk. Despite my initial disappointment, my customers have appreciated the high-quality feel and durability of the jackets, so this “mistake” turned into an unexpected win.
2. Paid Influencer Collaborations
I decided to invest in a paid influencer collaboration once—and it was a lesson I won’t forget. The hefty expense resulted in exactly one new follower and zero sales. It was a costly experiment that I deeply regret and don’t plan to repeat.
3. Pop-Up Markets
I rushed into participation in pop-up markets, without doing enough research about them. While I made valuable connections, the luxury price point of my jackets didn’t align with the audience, who were likely looking for more affordable pieces. Moving forward, I plan to test the market with lower-priced offerings to better meet expectations at these events.
What Went Right
1. Creating High-Quality, Problem-Solving Styles
The Malti Coat and Alia gloves became my bestsellers for a reason: they solved a real problem. In our South Asian community, there wasn’t anything like them in the market. Starting with “hero products” that address a specific need has been a key to survival in an oversaturated industry. Even the best products struggle to get noticed, so having standout designs that resonate deeply is critical.
2. Putting Myself at the Heart of the Brand
I made a conscious decision to make myself the face of SaaRii because I wanted customers to experience the authenticity behind the brand. It’s not just about the product—it’s about the meaning, effort, and intention behind it. Sharing my journey, struggles, and vision on social media—and engaging in polls to understand what they expect from SaaRii—has created a deeper connection with my audience.
3. Connecting Directly with My Community
This has been my favorite part of the journey. From sending handwritten thank-you notes, to responding to DMs and emails, every interaction has been a joy. Meeting happy customers at pop-ups and hearing stories about why they chose a SaaRii piece makes all the hard work worthwhile.
The Journey So Far
Starting a business is not for the faint of heart. It requires resilience, adaptability, and the mental capacity to embrace the ups and downs. For me, the key has been staying committed to learning, appreciating the small wins, and focusing on how far I’ve come rather than just the numbers. To anyone considering this path: enjoy the process, stay humble, and know that every mistake is a stepping stone. And if you’re a new founder looking for advice, I’d be happy to share more insight—so many wonderful entrepreneurs have supported me, and I’d love to give back.
Thank you for being a part of SaaRii’s journey. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season, and I can’t wait to see you all in 2025!
With love,
Sujata