Urvashi’s Cosmetics and Beauty Products (UCBP)

Background

This beauty products venture was started by two childhood friends Dipali and Varsha. They studied together starting from play way to senior secondary in a small town of Gujrat. On completion of school, Dipali chose graduation in commerce in a reputed college of Ahmadabad. Varsha, opted for engineering & went to IIT Mumbai to complete her Chemical Engineering. On successful completion of their graduation they opted for Post graduation in management field. Upon completion of their MBA with high rank in their institution, both got the opportunity to join the corporate world. Varsha started her career in Mumbai with a company which was importing chemicals for the cosmetics industry. She enjoyed the beginning of her career in a conducive environment. Dipali started her career with a multinational FMCG company in Gurgaon and got accountability of sales and Marketing. She also got exposure to supply chain management and logistics during her initial years of career. There was no possibility for both to work together in their employment or work life. But it was their dream right from their school time.

Challenge in Job and Inspiration for Startup

In 2012, they met at their native town during Diwali vacation. After getting the corporate experience, it was a long desire to contribute back to their hometown and wanted to start a business venture there to give employment to youth over there. This possibility was inspiring for both of them. Both were having common challenges for getting married and getting settled down for quality life. Both had common values, principles and beliefs. Both were speculating challenges in ensuring balance of work life and personal life. 

Startup

It took no time to make the decision of leaving the corporate world & venture out as a start-up in their hometown only. This was the time of inception of Urvashi Cosmetics & Herbal Beauty Products. In spite of resistance from colleagues, relatives and friends, they were fully determined for their decision. They were having full encouragement from their parents. They resigned their jobs and served for some time after resignation. They started working on their startup. They came up with a business plan and started implementing it. However, both were having no relevant experience still they used their innate potential, abilities and strengths which they gained during the last many years. Their venture started as a small business in the first quarter of 2013.

Challenge of having a stable and efficient team

They found the availability of high school educated youth in abundance. They were passionate and hard working but lacking valuable employability. There was ignorance among career aspirants regarding professionalism important for the operations and growth of the startup. They badly needed a team of enthusiastic people that could take on the operational part of the company. They were stuck working on the operational part with little time to work on their vision board for the growth and expansion of their startup. They started on orienting new people for the job opportunities in their company. 

They were dealing with fast turnover of their employees due to the lack of professionalism in people joining them. It occurred to them as a struggle and many times it was very depressing for them. Sometimes they either doubted their decision or they doubted themselves. 

While focusing on their commitment, they found that turnover of people can be reduced and level of professionalism can be raised with the help of systematic, curriculum based training and development within their organization.

Ensuring a reliable and winning team with the support of ITSMBA

There was an absence of reliable firms that can provide trained human resources regularly according to the necessity of the company. It needed retention of reliable and efficient human resources well versed with business administration and management skills according to the specific necessity of the company. 

Scenario before Affiliation with ITSMBA

  • Lot of time, energy and efforts were involved to orient and trained business development team.
  • Lot of breakdowns was resulting due to lack of experience and effectiveness of business team.
  • Challenge in adding more products due to lack of product managers and business accountable professionals.

Achievements after tie-up with ITSMBA

During the first 3 years of the inception of business following are the achievements of the business:

  • Numbers of products are increased from 3 products to 12 products in the end of 3rd Annual business turnover increased from 36 lakh in the first year and 90 lakh in the end of 3rd year.
  • Distribution of network increased.
  • There was sufficient visibility brand at the marketplace