Meet Woman From Middle-Class Family, Whose Business Was Once Shamed—Now Acquired By Mukesh Ambani

Richa Kar, the visionary behind Zivame, faced societal stigma as she entered the lingerie industry. In a culture where lingerie shopping was often seen as taboo, she aimed to make it comfortable, private, and dignified for Indian women.

Born on July 17, 1980, in Jamshedpur to a middle-class family, Richa Kar completed her post-graduate diploma from NMIMS, Mumbai, in 2007. Her journey from a traditional upbringing to a path-breaking entrepreneur began with the desire to empower women.

Kar initially built her career in the IT sector, working with companies like Spencers and SAP retail consultancy. With her background in technology and retail, she was well-prepared to take on a new challenge in India’s fashion industry.

In 2011, Richa launched Zivame, meaning “radiant me” in Hebrew. Her mission was clear: to provide women with a wide range of lingerie options in a private, comfortable shopping experience. Zivame’s unique offerings became a hit, with over 5,000 designs and 100 sizes.

Initially focused on lingerie, Zivame expanded to include women’s clothing, fitness wear, and sleepwear. Richa’s focus on quality, price, and customer satisfaction helped her earn the trust of women across India, establishing Zivame as a beloved brand.

With growing popularity, Zivame went offline by launching physical stores in 2016. Zivame Studios were introduced to create a seamless shopping experience, reaching women even in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, making quality lingerie accessible nationwide.

Though Richa stepped down as CEO in 2017, she remains on Zivame’s board with equity in the company. Today, her net worth stands at Rs 749 crore, as reported by The Economic Times. Zivame’s success culminated in 2020 when Reliance Retail acquired the brand, marking a remarkable journey of determination and change.