How a trip to Bali changed the lives of this engineer couple? Earning Rs 18 lakh per month after quitting high paying job

story of success: Engineers Mohit Ahluwalia and Jagjyot Kaur were searching for the ideal holiday to Bali in the winter of 2017. Not only did the pair make sweet memories there, but they also returned with new goals. The pair, after coming home, decided to support the livelihood of artisans and promote block printing. He co-founded Ramee in 2019 after leaving his corporate career of over ten years. Currently, they offer 60 different product categories for sale in India and abroad including quilts, pouches, purses and pillow covers.

What did he see in Bali?

He saw how Indian-made garments with block printing were worth more in Balinese markets, not only in terms of money but also in terms of earning the respect of customers. He did not add block printing to this particular specialization. India did not put much emphasis on the same products, despite the fact that they were in high demand in Bali. The transparency with which the traders were selling the products to the customers was the main difference between the goods offered in the international markets. He described the steps, the methods, the work that went into producing the goods, and how the purchase would affect so many people. This also increases the income of the artisans. Despite being so close to Jaipur, which is known for its block printing, the pair were unaware of those facts.

return to india

In terms of living an anarchic lifestyle, he noticed similarities between Bali and India during his travels. After his trip, he returned to his normal employment, but his desire to learn more about starting a block printing business remained. They got to work, learning about different products and investigating textile businesses and markets. He organized a trip to Jaipur in 2018 for a two-day workshop to learn how block printing works and interact with the artists. The pair participated in an exhibition held in Delhi three months later and displayed some quilts and cushion covers there. The couple found that the color selection of the product worked well for them. He only supported the artisans on color and print. The colors that craftsmen usually use are a combination of red, yellow and green. But with traditional prints, we saw a trend for muted, limited color. To complement their interior design, people preferred to opt for traditional yet trendy things. To appeal to contemporary buyers, he kept the design current.

Launching of ‘Rame’

They also note that consumers were turned away from using cheap synthetic dyes because they are bad for both human and environmental health. They use non-toxic azo-free dyes such as rusted iron, natural dyes such as indigo and turmeric to prevent this. Later in 2019, he decided to resign from his posts to launch ‘Raamey’. The product line was expanded from quilts and cushion covers to bedsheets, pillow covers, children’s clothing, luggage, pouches, purses and tote bags, some of which were made by upcycling scrap fabric.

Started with an investment of Rs 4 lakh, this business now generates up to Rs 18 lakh in monthly revenue. They receive most of their orders from Indian cities including Rajasthan, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mysore, Goa, Kerala, Imphal, Assam and Mizoram. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and US customers are also catered to by them. For its wide variety of products, Ramey today receives up to 400 orders per month. For Mohit and his wife Jagjyot, the choice to embark on a new path involved many risks, including launching and growing the firm.