Founder Spotlight: Manisha Jasani (Leafy Leather)
Meet Manisha Jasani:
Company:
Leafy Leather
We transform agricultural waste, such as corn husks and banana stems, into sustainable, cruelty-free, plant-based leather sheets that reduce pollution, support farmers, and replace animal & plastic-based leather.
Location:
Surat, Gujarat, India
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Startup Stage?
Bootstrapped
What led you to where you are today?
Coming from Surat, India’s textile hub, I witnessed firsthand the enormous waste and pollution created by synthetic fabrics and leather. As a fashion designer, I wanted to create materials that were both beautiful and responsible. Partnering with Ashish Ramani, co-founder, I found a way to combine fashion with sustainability by transforming crop waste into plant-based leather.
What do you wish you knew before embarking on your entrepreneurial journey?
Coming from a fashion design background without prior experience in leather or biomaterials, I knew this would be a major challenge. I wish I had understood earlier how complex the science, testing, and scaling process would be. Still, embracing this learning curve has proven that determination and adaptability can bridge industry gaps.
What is the most difficult decision you've had to make regarding your business so far?
Deciding when to stop testing and move into commercial production was the hardest. There’s always a temptation to keep perfecting, but at some point, you have to take a leap and let the market respond.
What can you help the VEGPRENEUR community with?
I can share insights on sustainable fashion, materials development, and design integration. I’d also be happy to advise early-stage founders who are working with textiles, sustainability, or women-led entrepreneurship.
How can the VEGPRENEUR community help you?
By connecting us with brands, designers, and manufacturers looking for innovative sustainable materials. We’d also appreciate guidance on expanding into international markets and building global collaborations.
Fun fact about you:
I love giving old clothes a second life — I’ve turned saris into modern dresses and jackets.
Anything else you would like to share?
At Leafy Leather, our vision is to make sustainability accessible and stylish. We believe every designer and consumer deserves cruelty-free, eco-conscious materials, and we’re proud to be part of this movement.
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