Before I ever thought of starting something of my own, I spent years working with shawls, stoles, mufflers, and other woollens in Nainital. I worked as a salesperson for a local shop owner, and those years gave me my first real understanding of the craft, the products, the customers, and the people who made and sold them.

But somewhere along the way, I began thinking about home. I wanted to return to Kausani, the small hill town where I grew up, and build something of my own there.

Kausani has always welcomed travellers looking for local products and warm clothing. At the same time, I noticed that people in the local community wanted to work, but opportunities were limited.

I began thinking that one small venture could address both these needs: offering visitors the woollens they were looking for while creating work for local people.

I shared my idea with several local vendors and business owners, but most were hesitant to take the risk. Perhaps that was the moment when I became even more certain that I had to try.

In 2002, I took a loan of ₹1.5 lakh and brought two hand-weaving machines to Kausani. With the support of my brothers, I began what was then a very small beginning.

There was no large factory, no established name, and no certainty that it would work. There were simply two machines, the support of family, and a belief that something meaningful could be built here.

Looking back after more than two decades, I realise that the journey began the day I started seeing the possibilities in my own home, in the people, the place, and the craft that surrounded me.