Meet: Sarina Siddhanti
Founder of: Riya Collective
Tell us about your business:
Mobile app to virtually shop from Indian designers in India as well as buy and sell secondhand South Asian garments in the US
What was the best piece of business advice you were given when you were starting out?
MAKE SOMETHING PEOPLE WANT. It sounds so, so simple but it's actually the absolute hardest thing to do. Learn your customer inside and out and meet them exactly where they are, that's your only job. If you find that the rest will follow.
Knowing what you know now, what would you have done differently when you were first starting out?
Savor every moment of the back-breaking work that goes into building a business from scratch. It's hard but it's also the most wonderful, exhilarating time of the business when everything is an opportunity.
Name the biggest overall lesson you've learned in running a business?
Life hits you hard. The most unexpected external forces can and will come for your business (like COVID did for ours). When those moments come the most important thing a founder needs is a strong stomach for the rollercoaster. That's not something you can practice or prepare for, it's just something you have to learn when it comes and it's grueling.
Does your culture influence your choices and decisions? If yes, how?
Yes!! The South Asian culture is by nature very inclusive and that's something we wanted to weave into Riya Collective from Day 1. We want to help educate the Western customer on how our garments are worn and make them more accessible while also showcasing the pride we have in our heritage.
In moments of self-doubt or adversity, how do you build your resolve?
I look to my co-founder. She's my rock and the person I trust the most to tell me when I'm wrong but also to build me up when I don't think I can take another step.
How do you balance your workload? What does self-care look like for you?
A daily walk with my husband when we both get home from work
Discover more:
www.riyacollective.com
@riyacollective