Founder Spotlight: Vinita Turakhia (Genuinely Not Leather)
Meet Vinita Turakhia
Company:
Genuinely Not Leather
Genuinely not Leather is on a mission to make sustainable fashion, fashionable. We create stylish handbags that cause no harm to the animals, through the conscious use of our natural resources and fair treatment of the unknown hands that craft them.
Startup Stage:
Seed
When did you launch the business?
April, 2020
Location:
Hong Kong, China
What led you to where you are today?
The determination to be part of the solution led me to set up GnL. It is unequivocal that climate is changing and the only way to prevent this from happening or to slow it down is by changing the way we consume. I wanted to create a brand that offers the consumers a chance to make that change and reduce their carbon footprint by choosing a bag that is an eco-friendly, cruelty-free alternative to animal leather and yet without compromising on style.
What do you wish you knew before embarking on your entrepreneurial journey?
I knew that patience and perseverance is the key to success in what one does. What I did not know is just HOW much of that an entrepreneur needs. I set up my company when Hong Kong was in the middle of political unrest and launched GnL in the middle of a pandemic! It has been a steep learning curve since. Rome was not built in a day and that is true for a fashion brand. I am learning the value of being patient and persevering each day as I go along.
What is the most difficult decision you've had to make regarding your business so far?
In GnL's short lifespan, the most difficult decision I have had to make is whether or not to launch in the middle of COVID-19. My 1st collection was ready and I had drawn out detailed plans about launching at the VeggieWorld, Hong Kong in March 2020. The pandemic hit just before this and I had no idea when the situation would change. VeggieWorld was canceled and I had to move from launching the product physically to an online launch, learn to run before I could walk, and think on my feet. It has been a rollercoaster and the journey has just begun!
What can you help the VEGPRENEUR community with?
I feel strongly about climate change and sustainability and I am confident that small steps taken by each of us individually can help slow down this process. I would love to participate/ host forums on these topics, inspire, and get inspired!
How can the VEGPRENEUR community help you?
I own a fashion brand but I do not have any background in design. I would love to connect with like-minded fashion designers (who particularly work on sustainable fashion & circularity) to help me on this journey.
Fun fact about you:
I was born and raised in India and I live in Hong Kong- I enjoy hiking, love the local Chinese vegetarian food, and adore 'the wriggles' and their music more than my children do :)
Anything else you would like to share?
Imperfect action is better than none at all! Go ahead and be the change you want to see.
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