Ashima, a young entrepreneur, took the stage on the latest episode of Shark Tank India to present her ‘slow fashion’ brands, Dorani and Aamili. She was accompanied by her parents, whom she called her strongest support system. Her father, a seasoned player in the clothing manufacturing business, had encouraged her to launch a brand. However, their journey was far from smooth. They had placed their trust in so-called ‘brand architects’ who ultimately deceived them, leading to a massive financial loss of Rs 70 lakh. Despite this, Ashima was determined to make a comeback, and after years of preparation, she stood before the sharks, seeking Rs 75 lakh for a 3% stake, valuing her business at Rs 25 crore.
She detailed her brand’s growth, revealing that they started with Rs 36 lakh in revenue during their first year. Now, they anticipated crossing Rs 5.5 crore. While her resilience impressed the panel, Namita Thapar pointed out a critical flaw, the outdated bag in which Ashima presented her products. She remarked that the lack of attention to detail was evident and suggested improvement. Ashima acknowledged the feedback and promised to refine her presentation. However, Namita decided to step out, stating that Ashima seemed scattered and too focused on international expansion rather than solidifying her brand locally.
This sparked a debate between Aman Gupta and Anupam Mittal. Aman believed that global expansion wasn’t the right move at this stage, while Anupam countered that Indian fashion had immense potential overseas. Despite their differing views, both saw promise in Ashima’s business and wanted to invest. Anupam commended her for the way she had learned from past failures and how convincingly she had pitched her brand. He was so impressed that he offered her Rs 75 lakh but in exchange for 5% equity. Aman, on the other hand, agreed to her original valuation, considering it fair.
Ritesh Agarwal also put forward an offer, whereas Kunal Bahl decided to step back. Though he opted out, he took a moment to express his admiration. Looking at Ashima’s parents, he shared a personal thought, saying, “I have a daughter too, she’s just eight. I was trying to concentrate on the pitch, but I couldn’t help but appreciate Ashima’s confidence. And I know that she gets this confidence from the upbringing that you’ve given her. When I was watching Ashima give her answers with such confidence, I wished that my daughter could also be as confident one day. Lots of people give up after setbacks. Its’ very commendable to bounce back, and when people watch your pitch, they’ll be inspired.”
Kunal then advised her to bring in as many sharks as possible. Taking his advice, Ashima asked the three investors who had made offers if they would be open to teaming up. Without discussing with Ritesh, Anupam and Aman stepped aside for a quick conversation and then returned with a revised offer, Rs 75 lakh for 4% equity. Ashima, however, countered their proposal, increasing the investment to Rs 1 crore for the same 4% stake. After a brief discussion, Aman and Anupam agreed, sealing the deal.
The episode left the audience inspired by Ashima’s persistence and ability to navigate negotiations with confidence. Her journey, from a failed brand to securing a significant investment, stood as a testament to resilience and determination. With two experienced sharks on board, the future of Dorani and Aamili seemed brighter than ever.