Richa Kar: The Woman Who Built a ₹1300 Crore Empire with Zivame
Richa Kar, the visionary entrepreneur behind Zivame, turned a once-taboo business into a thriving ₹1300 crore empire.
prativad 
Richa Kar, the visionary entrepreneur behind Zivame, turned a once-taboo business into a thriving ₹1300 crore empire. Her journey from a middle-class family in Jamshedpur to building one of India’s largest online lingerie retailers is an inspiring tale of perseverance, innovation, and overcoming societal resistance. Despite facing skepticism from friends and family, Richa remained steadfast in her vision, ultimately revolutionizing how Indian women purchase intimate wear.
Richa Kar’s journey began in Jamshedpur, where she was born into a middle-class family in 1980. After completing her education at BITS Pilani, she started working in Bengaluru. It was during her job in the corporate world that she noticed the awkwardness and discomfort women faced when purchasing lingerie, especially in stores dominated by male shopkeepers. This realization sparked the idea for Zivame, an online platform where women could shop for lingerie without the social discomfort associated with traditional retail stores.
When Richa first shared her business idea, it was met with ridicule from friends and strong opposition from her family. Her mother, in particular, expressed concern, saying, "How will I explain to my friends that my daughter sells bras and panties?" This cultural resistance towards discussing or engaging in the lingerie business was a major hurdle. However, Richa was undeterred. She decided to leave her stable corporate job and take a leap of faith into entrepreneurship.
With limited funds, Richa borrowed money from friends and family, raising about ₹35 lakh to start her business. In 2011, she launched Zivame, an online lingerie store aimed at providing Indian women with a more comfortable and discreet shopping experience. Initially, the business struggled to gain traction, as online shopping was still a novel concept in India. However, as internet access and digital platforms expanded, Zivame began to grow exponentially.
By offering a wide range of lingerie products—including over 5,000 styles and sizes—Zivame solved a significant problem for Indian women, making lingerie shopping private and convenient. The platform also introduced innovative services like "Try at Home" and fitting consultations, ensuring women could find the right products in the comfort of their homes.
As Zivame grew, so did Richa’s recognition. In 2014, she was named in Fortune India’s “Under 40” list, acknowledging her contributions to India’s e-commerce and retail sectors. In 2020, her hard work paid off when Reliance Retail acquired Zivame in a major business deal, marking a significant milestone in her entrepreneurial journey.
Today, Zivame stands as a leading lingerie brand in India, having transformed the way women approach intimate wear shopping. Richa Kar’s story is a testament to the power of determination and breaking societal barriers to create something extraordinary
:quality(85):upscale()/2024/02/07/984/n/1922564/1080495565c406533068b6.59693994_.png)
