In Guwahati, the capital of Assam, lives Tanaya Borkakoti Ji. She was once just a housewife, but now she’s on her way to becoming a successful businesswoman. How did she do it? By working hard in the right direction. Tanaya’s story shows that even the biggest tasks can be done if you try hard enough.
Tanaya makes traditional Assamese women’s clothes called Mekhela Chador and silk sarees. She uses traditional handlooms to make these beautiful clothes. At first, she started selling these from her home, not in any fancy shop or boutique.
The Power of Social Media
Tanaya’s business grew quickly, but not in the usual way. She used Facebook and Instagram to show her work to more people. Soon, the Mekhela Chador and sarees made in Tanaya’s workshop were being sold not just in Guwahati, but in other cities of India too.
One of Tanaya’s special creations is made from Malbari silk. She likes to try new things with her designs. For example, she made a pink Mekhela Chador with a special twist. It’s not just about making more of the same thing. She blended red colour with knitting, adding thread and a little “popper” to make it unique. This kind of creativity makes her clothes perfect for summer.
Home Shopping Experience
Tanaya’s customers love coming to her house to buy clothes. They feel comfortable and can take their time choosing. There are many reasons why people like buying from Tanaya:
1. The clothes are good quality.
2. The prices are lower than in big shops.
3. Customers can shop in a relaxed home environment.
One customer said, “I found out about her from a famous lady. Then I followed her Instagram page. I really liked her designs. Her clothes are cheap compared to others, and the fabric is very good. I bought clothes from her and wore them. My friends liked them a lot too.”
Another happy customer added, “There’s no compromise on quality. I came to her house for the first time with my sister’s friend. Her collection is good, there are many clothes to choose from. I bought a saree. The black colour looks very good. The fabric is very good and comfortable to wear.”
Overcoming Challenges
Starting this business wasn’t easy for Tanaya. The biggest problem was that she lived in Guwahati, but the weavers lived far away in villages. It was too expensive to set up a workshop in Guwahati. So, Tanaya came up with a smart solution. She used her own money to set up workshops in the weavers’ houses. She also gave them designs and raw materials.
Tanaya explains, “I can’t go there often, so I use WhatsApp. I tell the weavers about the designs over the phone. I like to check my work, so I visit when I can. I choose the colour combinations myself.”
From Hobby to Profession
At first, Tanaya did this business just for fun. Her first customers were her friends. But these friends saw how good her work was and suggested she make it her profession. To grow her business, Tanaya turned to the internet. She made a Facebook page and an Instagram account called “Amrapali”. This move helped her business grow fast.
Now, people want Tanaya’s Mekhela Chador and silk sarees even outside Guwahati. People who knew Tanaya but lived in other cities of India started contacting her through Facebook and Instagram. This is how her clothes started selling in other cities too.
A friend of Tanaya says, “Tanaya is my good friend. I’ve bought many of her clothes. What I like is that her clothes are crisp and the best. You won’t get such good clothes at such low prices in the market. That’s why I like Tanaya’s clothes a lot.”
Seeing how much people liked her clothes on social media, Tanaya decided to market her products better on Facebook and Instagram. After thinking a lot and getting advice from friends, she decided to model her own products. She had some photo sessions done wearing her traditional clothes and posted these photos on her social media pages. People loved it! Her Mekhela Chadors became especially popular in cities like Kolkata, Bangalore, Gujarat, and Delhi.
Tanaya’s story shows that with hard work, creativity, and smart use of technology, anyone can turn their hobby into a successful business. She faced challenges but found clever ways to solve them. By making quality products, keeping prices reasonable, and using social media wisely, Tanaya has created a thriving business that brings the beauty of traditional Assamese clothing to people all over India.
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