Sakshi Talwar is a designer who turned entrepreneur with her creative ideas and innovation. Not only did she create her own brand, but she also took the Indian carpet industry by storm with it. She started a company called Rugs and Beyond, which sells beautiful handmade Indian carpets to people all over the world. 

The company was made to connect rural artisans with global customers and help them thrive in their digital business. This helped them earn more money as Sakshi blended tradition with technology. This article mentions Sakshi’s journey from being a designer to building a successful startup. We will also see how the startup redefined home décor and its impact on the Indian startup ecosystem.  

Early life and education: Who is Sakshi Talwar?

Sakshi Talwar grew up around the family business in textiles. Her father, Harash Talwar, was the owner of YAK, a carpet company he founded in 1976. Sakshi was exposed to the art of weaving and handmade rugs since her childhood days. She realized how much effort went into every piece. Sakhsi’s passion for design became the foundation for her future. 

She wanted to sharpen her design skills and get a world-class education. Sakshi moved to New York and joined the Parsons School of Design to study interior design. After completing her studies, she pursued an MBA at Bryant University in Rhode Island as she wanted to start her own business. She also attended the London School of Economics (LSE) and Delhi University in India to gain global ideas on design and entrepreneurship. 

The birth of Rugs and Beyond

In 2014, Sakshi started Rugs and Beyond as a digital extension of her father’s company, YAK. She came up with a smart way to bring handmade Indian rugs to the world. Sakshi launched a platform for selling them online and helping the people who make them reach a wider audience. Instead of letting middlemen take most of the money, she created a direct bridge that connects rural weavers to local and global customers. Customers loved the platform because the platform provided them with unique or customized rugs at affordable prices.

The startup received customer support and started growing fast. In 2017, it won awards for “Most Innovative E-tailer,” and Sakshi earned the title of “Most Creative Disruptor in Home Decor” from Facebook India and SheThePeople. Sakshi Talwar was a known name in the industry by 2018, and YourStory mentioned her as one of the top 8 women entrepreneurs who transformed the digital world.

Vision and Mission: Empowerment through design

Rugs and Beyond is exactly what its name suggests, selling rugs and going beyond it by empowering others. The startup has a mission to help rural artisans in India and uplift them to deliver top-quality and custom-made carpets to the customers. Many small workers who earn by selling these goods live far from cities and don’t have connections in the industry. 

Sakshi combined creativity with technology to create a platform that helps these sellers to sell their goods online and live better lives. The platform Sakshi created helped them earn good money because there are no middlemen. The startup also has a program called “1 Rug 1 Child.” Every time someone buys a rug, the money is used to send a weaver’s child to school. 

What sets Rugs and Beyond Apart

Bespoke and artisanal craftsmanship: Every rug is handmade by weavers using top-quality materials like soft wool and sari silk. Each one is different and special, making every rug unique.

Technology-enhanced shopping: On the website, you can customize your rug’s size, color, and shape. There’s even a feature that uses augmented reality to show you what your rug will look like in actual life. 

Customer-centric approach: The goods are available for global delivery free of cost, regardless of the region, with shipment tracking. The website also offers quick 24/7 customer support. 

Social impact and transparency: Buying a rug from this startup helps artisans and their kids, as under the 1 Rug 1 Child program, fund goes to support a child’s education. 

Challenges along the way

Starting a company is tough. Sakshi, like other entrepreneurs, faced some struggles. When she got into the industry, it was male-dominated, and people were not eager to try new things. Some didn’t believe a woman could do business well, and because of this mentality, convincing sellers and buyers took time. 

Another challenge was to grow her business while maintaining top quality and transparency. Compared to urban regions, it was difficult to manage logistics, production, and payments across rural India. Sakshi also had to educate customers about how handmade rugs are often more affordable and of higher quality than machine-made options. Her mentality to work hard and perseverance paid off, making Rugs and Beyond one of the most successful startups. 

The future of Rugs and Beyond

Sakshi plans to expand the startup into more areas like fine art and home décor. Her main focus is expected to be around fine arts and women-led artisan projects. Sakshi aims to expand her network and take the brand to new heights globally through a strong team of luxury designers, partnerships, and technological advancements. 

FAQs:

What inspired Sakshi Talwar to start Rugs and Beyond?

Sakshi drew inspiration from her family’s textile business and her passion for connecting rural artisans with global buyers in a fair, innovative way.

How does Rugs and Beyond help artisans?

It removes middlemen and sells directly to consumers. Rugs and Beyond channels a greater share of each sale back to the weavers. The company also runs initiatives like “1 Rug 1 Child” to support weavers’ families.

Can customers customize their rugs online?

Yes. The platform offers an option to allow buyers to personalize rug size, shape, color, and material. An AR tool even allows previewing the rug in real room settings.

What’s next for Rugs and Beyond?

Sakshi plans to expand this business into home decor, launch eco-friendly rugs, and grow globally with tech and design partnerships.