What kind of business structure do you follow for Krya?

We are a limited liability partnership with two co-founders, my husband and myself. We are slightly different from the traditional FMCG model, we sell directly to consumers and now retailers. We follow this structure in order to maintain a greater degree of closeness to our end consumer.

Are there any other similar competitors in the Indian market today, or do you command a niche?

We do not have any similar competitors in the category of products we operate in.

What are your top 5 most useful eco-friendly tips we as women can practice from home, in our day to day lives?

My advice to women today will be:

  1. Recycle Water: Look for ways to save water, rinse water from your washing machine; wash water from your kitchen that has been used to wash rice, or pulses, or rinse vegetables can be used to water your plants.
  2. Segregate Waste: Urban landfills where waste gets dumped are expanding alarmingly as is the amount of waste each one of us is putting out. In Chennai, nearly 550 acres of land is currently being used to store garbage, and the city corporation predicts that we will run out of space in two years. As a first step, it is important to start segregating waste into organic waste that is compostable, dry waste that is recyclable (paper / plastic packaging) and sanitary waste (sanitary napkins, disposable diapers).
  3. Home Composting: This is the next step. By composting your kitchen waste, you will not only be contributing to your city’s solid waste management, you will also be creating something beautiful and useful from what was once waste.
  4. Home Gardening: Once you’ve begun composting, you could think about growing a part of what you eat.
  5. Reduce: Lower the use of materials or products with a short life, look for long lasting materials and products in your home, such as steel etc.

How do you aim to spread your brand or product awareness?

Our primary consumer communication tool is our blog, where we share points on leading a more sustainable life. We also write guest columns in other media vehicles like magazines, blogs, online magazines on topics related to sustainable living.

This communicates our point of view on sustainability and our ideas behind how we run our company.

We have also started partnering with various organic stores, who have tried our product and like what we do, to distribute our product across India. This creates a new set of consumers, and engagement opportunities for us as a brand.

As an entrepreneur, how would you increase awareness of sustainable development?

I have found a lot of interest, enthusiasm for what we do, amongst young people. I have met so many wonderful young people, who work tirelessly for so many good causes, that it always makes me feel optimistic about the future.

Leading by example is the only way forward.

What does it take to start a business venture as a woman in India today?

A successful business depends on a good idea, lots of passion, the ability to stay positive, and focused on what you are hoping to achieve, and a good team to keep you inspired and motivated.

What are your future plans for Krya?

We have a whole host of projects lined up at Krya right from launching our next product, to improving our processes to hiring our first set of employees.

Thank you, Preethi Sukumaran, and Indusladies Team wishes you all the best for future.