Riti Taherbhoy

Tell us a bit about yourself and about your current profession. What were you doing before you started out on your own?
I am born and brought up in Pune but have done my Marketing Management in Finance from Toronto, Canada. I have always had a passion for designing clothes. I use to make clothes for myself and my friends as a hobby, till I started my own clothing line called Wrapsody.
Before I started Wrapsody I use to help my hubby as a wedding planner.

When did you start your company? Where? And what motivated you to start it? What was your initial investment?
I started my company Wrapsody in Pune India on Sep, 2009. My friend Prema was the one who motivated me to start my own company. She saw the clothes I made for myself, friends & family and told me to start my own store. I started with an exhibition of 70 pieces and after the fabulous response I received I opened my own store called Wrapsody.
The initial investment was of Rs 1,25,000/- My store is located in one of the prime shopping area in Pune.
 
What have been your achievements, accolades and upturns in your career?
The biggest achievement is that I have on my own will and conviction done it all singlehandedly, right from designing to marketing to dispatching offshore. I have a lot of clients in Scotland, Toronto, San Franco and Singapore.
The upturns in my career have been smiling customers and asking for more innovative stuff which challenged me to raise the bar in the fashion trend and every collection became a unique one.

Any downturns, Unusual circumstances, hardships, you have had to face in your profession/business?
The problems faced by me have mainly been caused by the tailors. They take uninformed long holidays where I’ve had to outsource my work in order to avoid delays. Due to this the production cost goes up.

How do you balance your personal and professional life? How many kids do you have? What are your usual activities with them?
I have an excellent support system. My hubby and Mom take care of my son whenever required. My son is 2 so I prefer working around his timing. Although I have a nanny I stay home till noon and play with him and do all the house chores. I go to work for 4-5 hrs so that I’m back by evening when I take him to the park. After which I feed, change, play, read and put him to bed. I mainly see my client on appointments. Saturdays I go out with my hubby & friends and Sunday is a family day.
    
How do you spend your “Alone” time. Any hobbies, activities, groups you are associated with.
I don’t get much “Alone” time. But when I do, I paint. I like walking so whenever I get a chance I go for walks.I love adventure and travelling to different places. Travelling helps me in business. I get a chance to buy different fabrics.

What’s the secret to your being a SuperMomPreneur? And what’s the best compliment you have received about your career or being a self-professional.
My secret of being a SuperMomPreneur is that I always plan ahead. I make my schedule a day earlier.
The best compliment that I have received is from my client, “Riti one day we’ll see your collection at the Lakme Fashion Week.