ArtyOwl.com is a unique marketplace with a vision to surface beautiful handmade hidden treasures of the world on this exclusive platform for buying and selling handmade, handcrafted & hand-curated products. Rajiv Hari Ramnani, Co-Founder and CEO, tells us about his journey.
ArtyOwl.com is part of the HexGn Startup Ready Program for 2020. it is a six-month online Startup Acceleration program by HexGn in partnership with Invest India (AGNIi, and Startup India) to boost technology-based entrepreneurs from India.
ArtyOwl.com started its journey on 8th March 2016 with a vision to revolutionize the handmade and handicrafts online business. By being on ArtyOwl.com, the artisans/creators can surface their work, Display & Sell online. The artisans/creators can connect with customers from around the world who are the real connoisseurs of such niche products in Home Décor, Personal Care, Food, Fashion, etc.
A customer who shops online on Artyowl.com gets a plethora of handmade items created by some highly passionate artisans. These artisans work with various materials like Ceramic/Clay, Wood, Paper, Wrought Iron, Glass, Cork, Leather, Metals, upcycled art (Recycled) etc. These Artisans give special attention to materials used which are created with extreme creativity, passion and ecological sense which gives the customer/owner a piece of the authentic handmade experience.
Currently, ArtyOwl houses 300 artisans who are selling 9000 odd products across categories like Food, Home Decor, Personal Care & Fashion. ArtyOwl.com promotes and sells products of Artisans who make Handmade products of genuine materials and natural products. 100% pure, zero chemicals and organic are the keywords. Plus it’s a unique platform for Women Entrepreneurs, NGO’s, SHG (Self Help Groups ), SME (Small & Medium Entreprises), Tribals and more. Listing is absolutely free, and most importantly it’s providing a business process to all these Entrepreneurs who get more time to focus on creativity and leave the rest processes like Online Payments, Online Marketing and Logistics to ArytOwl. Currently operating in INDIA & USA, the company clearly has a global vision where artisans can be Hyperlocal & global at the same time.
According to Rajiv Ramnani, the most difficult challenge so far was finding, surfacing and winning the trust of all these artisans. They had typical ways of selling their products and with little knowledge of their global appeal. Our vision is GLOBAL, and we will achieve the same by taking their reach and treasures Global. Simplified process of onboarding to selling it’s what makes it challenging, and we have to keep evolving all the time. Post COVID we see a surge in demand and supply.
On his advice for entrepreneurs, Rajiv says that most of the entrepreneurs devise businesses or models with a more considerable part of the mind on Investors and not consumers and sellers. My model is purely on achieving excellence in my field, and so far, it’s self-funded. Entrepreneurs should be more focused on problem-solving than just funding, though Money is essential, a clear vision and a road map is a must.
Commenting on the journey of ArtyOwl, Rajiv says “We have achieved great trust over the past four years of 300 odd artisans and growing. We have achieved trust and growth gradually along with the fraternity. The biggest achievement is yet to come.” “Stress management is not very easy, but ideally the best way to manage it is by feeling happy of what I have done so far rather than stress on what’s not come,” says Ramnani.