Chinu Kala Success story
Meet Chinu Kala, the co-founder and CEO of Rubans Accessories. Starting with just 3 lakhs, she turned her small dream into a significant jewelry success, making over 65 crores every year.
Her story is all about never giving up, staying determined, and having a spirit that conquers any challenge.
Let’s dive into her journey, from the early stages of struggle to a successful woman entrepreneur.
Early Life and Struggles
Chinu Kala left home when she was just 15, taking only Rs 300 and a bag of clothes after a disagreement with her father.
She lived with her father and stepmother; her mother had left them when she was just one year old.
When Kala ran away from her home in Nalasopara, Mumbai, she was in the seventh grade and lacked educational qualifications for employment.
She had to spend two nights at Mumbai Central Railway Station, carefully managing her limited savings.
Eventually, she met a woman who told her about door-to-door sales, where she would earn a commission for each sale but no fixed salary.
She earned a commission of 20 rupees per piece and made 60 rupees on her first day of sales.
She started residing in a dormitory that charged ₹25/day for just a mattress.
After working as a door-to-door saleswoman for a year, she headed to Surat to work as a distributor of Yellow Pages.
Finally, she landed a job as a customer care executive at a Tata Indicom franchisee.
During her time at Tata Indicom, she met the wonderful man Amit Kala in 2002, and while working together, they fell in love. In 2004, they got married.
After her marriage, Kala undertook a beautician course and ran a salon at home. To enhance her knowledge of the craft, she came to Mumbai. That’s when she learned about Gladrags Mrs. India.
She participated in the competition in 2006, securing a spot in the top 10 finalists.
Though she didn’t win the title, she was inspired to start a jewelry business after seeing the difference a single piece of jewelry could make in an outfit.
The Birth of Rubans Accessories
After Gladrags succeeded, Chinu started a company called Fonte Corporate Solutions in 2006 in India.
Fonte quickly became known for supplying various items like gifting products, table tops, and t-shirts. It’s based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, and has become a leading seller in its category.
However, Chinu later decided to close Fonte and invested her Rs 3 lakh savings to begin a new venture called Rubans Accessories in 2014.
This shop specializes in jewelry and lifestyle items. What started as a small store in Bengaluru grew impressively, reaching a yearly revenue of Rs 30 crore by 2020-2021. Experiencing a steady growth rate of 10%.
Chinu has ambitious plans for the future, aiming for a Rs 140 crore turnover by 2024.
She envisions even faster growth for her business.
Chinu Kala’s Journey In Shark Tank India
Chinu Kala and Amit Kala, along with Rubans, appeared on Shark Tank India Season 2 to secure funding for their business, Rubans Accessories, a renowned jewelry brand in India.
Before Shark Tank India, Rubans Accessories was a bootstrap business.
Chinu Kala shared their business story with the Sharks while pitching alongside her husband, Amit Kala. They sought Rs 1.5 Crore and were willing to part with 0.5% of their company.
Namita Thapar and Vineeta Singh offered Rs 1 Crore for a 1% share, along with an additional Rs 50 lakhs at a 12% interest rate.
After discussions, they reached an agreement with Aman Gupta, Namita Thapar, and Vineeta Singh. The final deal was Rs 1 Crore for a 1% share, and an additional Rs 50 lakh as a loan with a 12% interest rate.
Awards and Recognition to Chinu Kala
1. Best Jewellery Brand – Myntra:
Recognition of Rubans’ excellence in the digital retail space.
Reflects Chinu’s ability to adapt and excel in the dynamic e-commerce arena.
2. Debutant Retailer Award – Franchise India:
A testament to Chinu’s impactful debut in the retail industry.
Acknowledges Rubans Accessories as a rising star in the retail landscape.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts on Chinu Kala
Chinu Kala’s journey from a girl with Rs 300 to running a 65 crore jewelry business is like a super inspiring adventure. It’s a mix of dreams, hard work, and really smart business moves.
Her story is like a guide for anyone going through tough times.
It shows that being brave, thinking creatively, and never giving up can turn hard situations into steps toward success.
Chinu Kala isn’t just making jewelry; she’s telling a story of winning against tough times.
She wants everyone to dream big and go after their goals with super-strong determination.
Related: Meet Shark Tank India judges Net Worth And Company Names
