Embroidery Business Success Stories in India

Embroidery in India is more than an art—it’s an identity woven into the fabric of the country’s heritage. Across states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Kashmir, and Karnataka, embroidery traditions have not only survived but also created opportunities for entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment, and global recognition. In recent decades, many artisans and entrepreneurs have transformed this craft into thriving businesses.

This article explores some of the most inspiring embroidery business success stories in India and the lessons they hold.

🌟 1. Razia Sultan – Crewel Embroidery Entrepreneur (Kupwara, J&K)

• Background: Born in Trehgam, Kupwara, Razia Sultan received training under the Karkhandar scheme, a government initiative aimed at skill development.
• Journey: With determination, she set up her own unit for crewel embroidery and chain stitch, both unique to Kashmir.
• Impact:
  • Earns ₹60,000–70,000 monthly.
  • Trained 200+ women artisans in her region.
  • Established herself as a role model for local girls who now see embroidery as a path to financial independence.
• Lesson: Government-backed training combined with entrepreneurship can spark local employment opportunities in rural India.

🌟 2. Pabiben Rabari – Inventor of Hari Jari & Founder of Pabi Bag (Kutch, Gujarat)

• Background: Coming from the Rabari community in Kutch, Pabiben innovated her own embroidery style called Hari Jari.
• Journey: With the help of the social enterprise Kaarigar Clinic, she launched the globally recognized Pabi Bag brand.
• Impact:
  • Employs over 300 artisans.
  • Featured on Shark Tank India, securing ₹50 lakh investment.
  • Annual sales of ₹36 lakh with a 35% profit margin.
  • Products are sold internationally via pabiben.com.
• Lesson: Blending traditional craft with modern branding and global retail networks can turn local artisans into international entrepreneurs.

🌟 3. Sakeela – Custom Saree Embroidery Entrepreneur (Andhra Pradesh)

• Background: Inspired by her mother’s tailoring work, Sakeela built her own embroidery business.
• Journey: Initially started small, but expanded with support from Mahila Money loans and the use of social media marketing.
• Impact:
  • Handles 20–30 online orders daily.
  • Profits rose from ₹1.18 lakh/month to ₹2 lakh/month.
  • Creates personalized sarees with intricate embroidery.
• Lesson: Digital platforms and microfinance can empower women entrepreneurs to scale their embroidery ventures quickly.

🌟 4. Arati Hiremath – Reviving Kasuti Embroidery (Dharwad, Karnataka)

• Background: Kasuti embroidery is a 1,300-year-old tradition from Karnataka. It was at risk of fading away.
• Journey: Arati Hiremath launched Artikrafts, an enterprise dedicated to reviving Kasuti by training rural women.
• Impact:
  • Trained 850 women artisans (200 still active).
  • Annual turnover of about ₹40 lakh.
  • Her Kasuti sarees are stocked by Fabindia and were even worn by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Budget 2023.
• Lesson: Heritage crafts can be revived and made profitable through community entrepreneurship and partnerships with retail chains.

🌟 5. Ruma Devi – Empowering 50,000 Women through Embroidery (Barmer, Rajasthan)

• Background: From a small desert village in Barmer, Rajasthan, Ruma Devi started with one needle and thread.
• Journey: She formed self-help groups and trained thousands of women in embroidery and handicrafts.
• Impact:
  • Leads a network of 50,000+ rural women artisans.
  • Awarded the Nari Shakti Puraskar in 2018.
  • Promotes tribal crafts across India and internationally.
• Lesson: Social entrepreneurship in embroidery can uplift entire communities, turning crafts into a sustainable livelihood model.

🌟 6. Lalita Vakil – Guardian of Chamba Rumal Embroidery (Himachal Pradesh)

• Background: Chamba Rumal embroidery, a traditional Himachali art, was fading until Lalita Vakil championed its revival.
• Journey: Through training programs, she taught hundreds of women, preserving this unique needlework.
• Impact:
  • Honored with Padma Shri (2022) and Nari Shakti Puraskar (2018).
  • Internationally recognized for promoting cultural heritage.
• Lesson: Recognition and preservation of endangered embroidery forms can bring pride, visibility, and opportunities to artisans.

🌟 7. Madhav Fashion – From One Machine to Market Leader (Surat, Gujarat)

• Background: Founded in 2005 with a single embroidery machine.
• Journey: Grew steadily into a large-scale manufacturer of embroidered fabrics, supplying to fashion brands and retailers.
• Impact:
  • Recognized as one of India’s leading embroidery manufacturers.
  • Demonstrates how industrial-scale embroidery can coexist with traditional handcrafts.
• Lesson: Scaling embroidery with technology can open new horizons in the textile industry.

🌍 Insights & Common Themes

• Women Empowerment: Most success stories are led by women, turning embroidery into a source of financial independence.
• Cultural Preservation: Heritage crafts like Kasuti, Chamba Rumal, and Hari Jari are being revived through entrepreneurship.
• Digital Leverage: Social media, online stores, and platforms like Shark Tank have been crucial in scaling embroidery businesses.
• Community Impact: Many entrepreneurs go beyond personal profit to uplift artisans, especially women in rural areas.
• Global Recognition: From Paris Couture houses to Indian retail giants like Fabindia, the world is acknowledging India’s embroidery excellence.

📊 Summary Table