How a trip to Bali inspired this engineer couple to quit corporate life and build a Rs 18 Lakh per month sustainable fashion brand
While exploring the markets of Bali, the couple noticed something surprising: Indian-made block-printed fabrics were highly regarded and sold at high prices.
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“While exploring the markets in Bali, we saw how Indian-made block-printed fabrics had greater value – not just financial value but also earned respect from consumers. We did not associate such a niche with block printing. Although there was a huge demand for them in Bali, the same products were not given much importance in India,” Mohit (36) told The Better India.
They realized that the secret was to tell stories. Foreign sellers were incredibly transparent; they described the effort, heritage and human impact behind each handmade piece. What started with an investment of 4 lakh rupees is not a company generating revenue of up to 18 lakh rupees every month.
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Finding Happiness Amidst Chaos
Inspired to fill this gap, the Chandigarh-based couple chose a name deeply rooted in travel memories. ‘Raamae’ in Balinese means finding joy in chaos.
Learning Curve: In 2018, they organized a two-day workshop in Jaipur to understand the 450-year-old intricate art of wood block printing.First Test: Soon after, they displayed a small collection of duvets and pillowcases at an exhibition in Delhi.
Verification: The response was immediate and confirmed a huge market opportunity.
Great Leap Forward: By 2019, they took a leap of faith, leaving their decade-long corporate careers to start Raamae full-time.
Traditional Prints Redefined for Modern Homes
Rather than sticking to traditional bright reds, yellows and greens, Mohit and Jagjyot introduced minimalist, contemporary color palettes suitable for modern home decor.
Eco-Friendly Choice: They eliminated toxic synthetic dyes and switched to natural colors made only from turmeric, rusted iron, indigo, and non-toxic azo-free dyes.
Financial Growth: What started with an initial investment of Rs 4 lakh has turned into a sustainable powerhouse, generating revenue of up to Rs 18 lakh every month.
Global Footprint: Today, Raamae ships more than 60 types of products, including sheets, baby clothes, and upcycled bags, to customers in India, UAE, and the United States.
Empowering Craftsmen and Keeping the Legacy Alive
For Mohit and Jagjyot, it was never just about numbers; It was about saving a dying ship. Due to low wages, many generations of artisans in Rajasthan were leaving their craft to work as delivery managers in big cities.
Direct Effect: Today, Raamae provides sustainable livelihood to a dozen artisans in Sanganer and Jaipur.
Revenue Growth: The daily wages of artisans were seen increasing significantly from Rs 300 to Rs 1,000.
How did this change people’s lives?
Rajesh Kumawat (45), an artisan with 15 years of experience, shares how his life has changed: “Block printing is a very arduous job… We used to earn Rs 300 a day, now we earn Rs 1,000. Foreigners are also wearing our products, it is a great feeling.”
A Risk Worth Taking
Managing everything from design to photo shoots can be overwhelming, but founders have no way of doing it any other way.
“Although we have good businesses, there was a call to work with people from the inside to create real impact. Sometimes it gets chaotic because we design and photograph our products ourselves, but we enjoy it, just like the meaning of our company,” says Mohit.
