For any woman, her initial changes post-marriage. However, for Reshma, her fate did. After marrying Manoj Talreja, Lucknow-born Reshma started her business of Lucknowi handcrafted kurtis, materials and sarees in 1997.
Reshma had done her graduation from Lucknow with a diploma course in Textile Designing. ‘Lucknowi-type’ embroidery had always thrilled her. Being from Lucknow, she had a hands-on experience on picking the best quality material and she had networks with all the manufacturers in Lucknow.
“It started as a hobby as I wanted to do something apart from being just a house wife. As I belonged to Lucknow it was not very difficult to start this work. Initially I started with keeping small exhibitions. I joined a group called ‘Avishkar’ who would encourage women to be financially independent n to recognize their talent”, says Reshma.
She also added that people started showing a lot of interest in her work, thanks to the quality and superior embroidery of the material.
Family has been her biggest strength. In every conversation, Reshma never forgets to include her family at the end of it.
“I had a lot of support and encouragement from my family especially from my husband .Earlier I used to get stuff only for exhibitions. However, with the support from the customers, I started stocking goods in my house”, she says.
Reshma ran the business for almost 17 years from home and her recent innovation is a physical boutique ‘ManoResh’ in Belgaum.
“My business is almost like my kids [laughs] and mine is the first and only ‘Lucknowi’ boutique in Belgaum, where the area extends from North Karnataka and South Maharashtra”, she says.
Her thirst for fashion is her success story.
“The key factor that influences entrepreneurs is the latest fashion. One has to understand the taste of people and one has to be different from others. I chose to be in this field because I am from Lucknow”, she says.
She wanted to bring the Lucknow experience for people in Karnataka. Reshma has plans to open a chain in other cities starting from Kholapur. On a suggestion for the new-age women entrepreneurs is not to give up and she promises hard work always fetches good results.
On a social aspect, she now organize event for other ladies who work from home in different cities under the banner of “Pehnava“.
“I am into the business of information and technology selling IT gadgets. I think she [Reshma] uses the technology more. With dedicated website yet to come, I am stunned to see her growth on Facebook itself. I am waiting for the day, as a happy husband, to see her bypassing me in sales number”, says Manoj Talreja, Reshma’s husband.