Melange is a multi-label South Asian fashion platform that shares fashionable items from South Asia.

Samia Khan, who lives in Singapore but comes from Mumbai, started Melange in 2015. She wanted to bring attention to modern Indian designs for clothes, jewelry, and other accessories. She loves fashion that’s versatile, meaning you can wear it in different situations. She doesn’t think it’s just for Indian people – anyone can enjoy it.

During a virtual chat with The Peak, she talked about a special event she went to in Mumbai, India. It displayed how famous fashion companies like Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, and Dior have used Indian fabrics for a long time. Samia was really impressed by this exhibition, and is excited about the growing interest in Indian fashion.

Because of the pandemic, Samia had to move Melange’s business online. This turned out to be good because more people from different countries like the US, UK, and Australia can now enjoy Indian fashion through her website.

Samia wants to keep sharing South Asian fashion and hopes to have a permanent showroom someday. “I want South Asian fashion to be accessible to many more people. I hope to be able to contribute to my heritage in this way,” Samia shares with The Peak.

Featured Image Source: The Honeycombers

Ghazal Alagh is the co-founder of MamaEarth, a company worth $1.2 billion. She’s not a graduate from fancy colleges like IIT or IIM, but her story is remarkable and full of inspiration.

Ghazal’s journey began in Gurgaon, Haryana, where she grew up in a middle-class family. After finishing her studies in computer application from Punjab University in 2010, she explored her creative side by learning about design and art at the New York Academy of Art. These experiences laid the foundation for her entrepreneurial path.

In 2016, Ghazal and her husband, Varun Alagh, started MamaEarth because they wanted safe and natural products for their soon-to-arrive baby. They cared deeply about the environment, so they made sure their products were organic and packed in materials that could be recycled.

Like many business ventures, their journey wasn’t easy, but eventually, MamaEarth became Asia’s first brand to earn the MadeSafe label, showing that their products were free from harmful stuff. They started selling online but soon expanded to physical stores. They have their own place to create and test products, which helped them achieve big success.

Now, MamaEarth isn’t just about baby stuff; they offer all kinds of personal care items. Over 5 million people use their products in 500 cities. Last year, they made a profit of Rs 14 crores and became a unicorn, now worth $1.2 billion.

Featured Image Source: Fortune India

Diganta Das’ journey to becoming a successful food entrepreneur in Assam from a humble beginning as a daily wage worker despite facing numerous hardships is a testament to the power of determination and perseverance.

Originally from Gohpur town in Assam, Diganta had different jobs to support his family. He worked as a cook, security guard, and even in a coal mine. But he didn’t give up on his dreams.

One of Diganta’s friends started a paratha business in Andhra Pradesh, and Diganta joined him to handle the marketing. Through hard work and dedication, he not only succeeded in the marketing venture but also helped expand the business.

Eventually, with his love for travel and cooking, he was able to start his own paratha business. He created DFF (Daily Fresh Food), offering tasty parathas that people can enjoy on the go. Today, DFF is well-known for its delicious ready-to-eat parathas.

It was not an easy journey for Diganta. He faced financial struggles and at one point, even got partially paralyzed in an accident. But he didn’t lose hope and he kept going.

Diganta’s journey shows that with enough determination and courage, anyone can overcome challenges and achieve their dreams.

Featured Image Source: India Today

Lee Su-jin, the founder and chairman of Yanolja, one of the world’s leading hotel booking sites, has a remarkable journey from being a motel janitor to amassing a net worth of $1.2 billion. 

Yanolja, a Korean phrase meaning “Hey, let’s play,” began its operations in 2007 and quickly evolved into a popular travel app, boasting over 57 million downloads worldwide.

Lee had a challenging upbringing, losing his parents at a young age and spending most of his childhood with relatives. At the age of 23, Lee found himself working as a janitor at a love hotel, which offers short-term accommodations at hourly rates.

But despite the difficult circumstances, Lee saw an opportunity to save money and invest in stocks. He even attempted a salad business, which unfortunately didn’t work out. However, these experiences laid the groundwork for his future in the hospitality industry.

The love hotel business faced societal stigmas and challenges in the early 2000s, particularly with the passage of an anti-prostitution law in South Korea in 2004. Lee aimed to make love hotels more appealing to a broader audience, emphasizing safety, convenience, and affordability, eventually skyrocketing Yanolja’s success.

The company achieved “unicorn” status in 2019, reaching a valuation of over $1 billion during a funding round. SoftBank Vision Fund 2 further bolstered Yanolja’s growth by acquiring a minority stake for $1.7 billion at a $6.7 billion valuation. Speculation about an IPO arose, but the company prioritized the industry’s post-pandemic recovery.

Beyond its travel booking services, Yanolja expanded its offerings to include Yanolja Cloud, an AI-powered software for hospitality and leisure platforms. Currently, its combined software platforms serve 19 million users, facilitating booking, travel, and property management operations.

 As Yanolja continues to make strides in the global travel industry, its impact extends far beyond its bottom line, transforming an entire sector and enriching the experiences of travelers worldwide.

Featured Image Source: Forbes