Miss World to Retail Entrepreneurship, ET Retail

New Delhi: Manushi Chhillara name that resonates with elegance and intellect, has been an inspiring figure since she clinched the Miss World title in 2017. Adding another feather to her crown, the beauty queen has entered the world of entrepreneurship, with the launch of her ventures Dweep and Soma Wellness, showcasing her vision and commitment to creating meaningful and impactful brands. In a candid chat with ETretail’s Pallavi Goel at the Shopfwd Summit 2024held in Mumbai, Chhillar shared her vision behind the brands, her learnings as an entrepreneur and the way forward.

The Spark of Entrepreneurship
Answering the big ‘Why entrepreneurship’ question, Chhillar said that her inclination towards entrepreneurship wasn’t a sudden move. From a young age, she said, she showed interest in exploring multiple avenues and refused to confine herself to a single path.

“I always knew that I wanted to do many things and not just put all eggs in one basket in my life.”Manushi Chhillar

The Birth of Dweep
Dweep, Chhillar’s swimwear brand, was born out of a personal need and a shared passion with her friends and co-founders. She shared that the idea was germinated in August 2021, during a conversation about the lack of good quality and affordable swimwear in India. Moreover, the available swimwear often didn’t cater to the diverse body types of Indian women, she opined.

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This gap in the market inspired them to create Dweep, the actor-turned-entrepreneur commented, adding that Dweep is a brand that offers high-quality, well-fitted swimwear that is both affordable and stylish. Further, she said that the decision to use recycled materials for their swimwear further underscores their commitment to sustainability, making Dweep not just a fashion statement but also an eco-conscious choice.

Answering the brand’s name, Dweep-Chhillar said that it holds a special significance.

“Derived from the Hindi word for island, Dweep reflects Indian roots and the universal appeal of the brand”Manushi Chhillar

Soma Wellness: A Nod to Her Medical Roots
Chhillar’s first venture, Soma Wellness, is a reflection of her deep-rooted passion for healthcare. Soma Wellness focuses on regenerative medicine, a field that intrigued her during her travels. Coming from a family of doctors, with both her parents being esteemed medical professionals, she was naturally inclined towards medicine.

Balancing Passion and Practicality
Commenting on her role in the boardroom, she credits her practical approach and the ability to mediate between her co-founders’ differing perspectives as crucial to the success of her ventures.

“And bring balance. I’m talkative but I’m also quiet, I give myself the credit for creating a balance.”Manushi Chhillar

Challenges and Learnings
Taking into account the challenges that come with the joys of entrepreneurship, Chhillar said that from the initial stages of setting up the business to the ongoing efforts to scale sustainably, each step has been a learning experience.

One of the biggest challenges for Dweep is scalability, especially given their commitment to sustainability, she opined. Finding the right balance between being fashion-forward and eco-friendly has been a difficult process, but the positive feedback from customers has been immensely rewarding, Chhillar added.

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