Richa Kar is a very successful Indian entrepreneur who is known for her role as the founder of Zivame, a leading online lingerie brand in India. She won over the critics and brought to the table a new way for women to shop for intimate wear in India with a focus on privacy, comfort, and awareness. With great innovation and willpower, she became one of the most influential female entrepreneurs in the Indian start-up scene.
Born in July 1980 in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, Richa spent her upbringing in a traditional middle-class home. Her father was an employee at Tata Steel, and her mother stayed at home. Though she came from a very conservative background, which may have put her at a disadvantage, Richa developed great ambition, which she applied to her education and career growth. She obtained her engineering degree from BITS Pilani and also did an MBA from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies in Mumbai.
Before Richa ventured out as an entrepreneur, she had a career in corporate at companies like SAP and Spencer’s Retail. In those roles that included retail consulting, she noted that in India, women’s experience in the lingerie department was usually a tough one, which was a result of social stigma, a void in education, and also a small choice of products. Also, her time at international lingerie companies, which include Victoria’s Secret, fueled her to develop a solution that would put convenience and privacy first for Indian women.
In 2011, Richa put forth Zivame, which was to transform the lingerie shopping experience in India. At a time when it was still very much a taboo to talk of personal care products at home, many took her to task. However, what she didn’t count on was how fast her idea would grow, which is why it gave women a platform to shop privately online and also educated them on fit, trends, and comfort. The platform also grew to include categories like activewear, sleepwear, and loungewear.
In Richa Kar’s tenure, Zivame became India’s leading online lingerie store, and we saw investment from major players like Ratan Tata. Also, they opened up fitting lounges and expanded their market presence all over the country. What she achieved got her featured in Fortune India’s “40 Under 40” many times, which also made her a role model for young entrepreneurs.
Beyond business success, Richa is known for her work in body positivity, confidence, and women’s empowerment. Her story is that of how innovation and courage can transform social norms and bring about large-scale positive change. Today, she is still a source of inspiration to young entrepreneurs, in particular women, through her leadership, vision, and input into India’s startup scene.
About the Author
