Meet Businesswoman Who Slept At Railway Station, Worked As Waitress, Went On To Build Rs 104 Cr Company From Rs 300

At the tender age of 15, Chinu left her home because of family issues, carrying only Rs 300 and a bag of clothes. She endured many hardships, including spending two days sleeping at a railway station in Mumbai. 

Chinu Kala worked as a waitress and receptionist. She earned a meager Rs 20 per day by selling knives and coaster sets door-to-door to make ends meet. Eventually, she secured a job at a clothing store, where she learned about customer behavior and the importance of delivering excellent service.

Chinu Kala appeared on Shark Tank India Season 2, impressing the judges with her inspiring story. Her business received an investment of Rs 1.5 crore from sharks Namita Thapar (Executive Director, Emcure Pharmaceuticals) and Vineeta Singh (Co-founder, Sugar Cosmetics).

 

In 2007, Chinu participated in the Gladrags Mrs India beauty pageant, reaching the top 10 finalists. While modeling provided her with financial stability, she realized its limitations as a long-term career. In 2004, she married Amit, who later became a director at Rubans.

In 2014, Chinu Kala founded Rubans Accessories with an initial investment of Rs 3 lakh, starting from a 36 sq. ft. kiosk at Phoenix Mall in Bengaluru. She managed the kiosk herself. By 2018, Rubans had expanded to five locations across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Kochi.

 

Chinu Kala shifted her business model to focus on online sales, leading to significant growth. Today, Rubans Accessories is valued at Rs 104 crore, a testament to Chinu's resilience, determination, and entrepreneurial skills. The brand’s revenue grew from Rs 56 lakh in 2014 to Rs 35 crore in 2022. Rubans Accessories, now a Rs 104 crore fashion jewellery brand, stands as a testament to Chinu Kala's tenacity, resilience, and sharp business acumen.