There was a time when Saumya Gupta losing your job in a recession. She could see were the faces of society , relatives, friends and loved ones, circling around her head saying, You are a failure!”, “You are good for nothing”, “your life is going nowhere”. But, rather than focusing on a botched Plan A, she took a stand, which changed her destiny.

She live in Mumbai (dream city), proper Mumbaiwaali, with the city- she was fierce, fearless, ambitious, business-minded and last but not least-stylish. Saumya had completed her schooling in Bombay. After completion of schooling, she decided to move to the US to study flying. “Back then, not too many girls went for flying. This was considered a BIG step to begin with.”

When she return back, But unfortunately, a stroke of bad luck and worse timing meant that the completion of her course coincided with the 2008 recession, where the pilot community was among the worst hit, she had no formal degree, no job and had spent Rs 50 lakh on her course.

straggle – Saumya Gupta

I had applied so many airlines for a year and not hearing back thanks to the 2008 recession. I went through depression imagining society thinking all sorts of things such as how I had probably failed in the US, them wondering what the hell I was up to, and why I was not flying. I felt like a wreck and a big loser.” Her parents finally told her she had to get a job and earn now, and that the pocket money saga had to end. But getting another job was not easy. “A pilot is called a professional, but on paper, we are actually 10+2s with a science background. No one gives 12th pass a good job. I needed good pay at least 20 to 25.”
She joins the call center 20000 Rs per month thanks to her.

“The first day itself, I knew I would not last. I knew this is not what I want. I took calls eight months and saving some money on the side, for an escape plan.”

How Build 10 on 10 Clothing Brand -Saumya Gupta

But she realized a complete breakdown after a horrible day at work and cried herself to sleep feeling absolute trapped and fed up. “That’s when my mom said me to find something I was good at. I could only think of clothes. I told me my mother I want some cloths to sell and we will exhibit at home. Ma, told me ‘Let’s do it!’” And 10 on 10 clothing sees the light of day.

“Luckily, the day I decided to change my field and officially throw a potential Rs 50 lac career out of the window, my parents said they believed I would still go far and that they want to see me happy even if it meant changing my career. Even though they told that they may not have the funds to invest in my business, their approval would suffice for now, I thought. So, I started my business with the simple goal of being able to pay bills and rotate the money.”

They approached a garment exporter, who housed export surplus from high fashion brands like Roberto Cavalli and Jean Paul Gautier. “I could afford to buy only 30 pieces. We texted all our friends and relative in Mumbai to come for a small home-exhibition. People came, salivating over the brand names and wanting to grab the best stuff. We were sold out 24 hours before D-day!”

journey 10 on 10 – Saumya Gupta

For months after Saumya took calls sold clothes during the day. That day 45 garment sold, 45 tern to 55, 55 turned to 75. And Saumya’s short term goals turned to long- term ambitions.

“I thought I was do something. And I felt like I must capitalize my business. I had learnt the difference between class and mass. I wanted to online portals and you want to see my stuff and on board me. But I did not own nice camera to shoot my garment that time I was stuck. I was very tight money. I had give up socializing and chilling with friends to save every penny.”

I want to photo shoot own my garments. I approached a photographer friendwho was looking to shoot a portfolio, and told her I would provide the garments and share the studio cost for a shoot for a shoot. Neither of us had money for a model. This big hearted girl agreed to shoot for us for free.

She tried her luck and sent the images to the team at online Fashion Portal, who loved her clothes and agreed to take her on board.

Another set of challenges, we were to get professional photo shoot done; again we were stuck to cost problem. We decided to college students to model. Mom and I stood outside Mithibai College trying to sell our shoots to girls and told exchange the images on Facebook.

Success – Saumya Gupta

“It took us few months to gather funds that amount is not enough. We rotated the money and save each and every thing. That time I am only 21 year old, I am not eligible to loan as you needed to be 23 years or more, I have begged loan at HDFC bank. This meant sacrificing many things and waiting patiently for the bigger picture.”

They finally shot with their student’s models and their brand 10 on 10 went live on online portal. Not only were sold out. “There was no looking after this.” Garment worth over Rs 6,00,000 now, They were grown 150% every year. ISO certification followed and brought with it the shift from working out of a packaging garage to a 1,000 sqft office, to a 5,000 sq ft office in the heart of Bombay’s corporate precinct. “We are clocking about Rs 1- 1.50 crore per month, approximately, and close at Rs 10-15 crore annually.”

Last year, she won an award from one of her role models, Kunal Bahl for contributing to his success story as the Woman Entrepreneur of the year-2015.

She attributes the success of her business to its fool-proof building blocks – courage, conviction, passion and principle.

“Simply pondering over great ideas won’t help unless you go out there execute it. This is exactly what I did. I knew what my brand stood for, who the Ten on Ten target audience would be, I had then defined. It was clear to me from the very start, that my quality is everything. I have never sold something I would not wear myself!”

Role Model To Other

She looks in the glory success hard earned; she still remembers her toughest moments as if they were yesterday. “Facing the world with the carrier change! The society can point out the all your failures and drag you to lowest low. My plan A didn’t materialize big deal! So what if I am not in the place I had initially envisioned? I am still question about that after all these years. I have learnt don’t let anyone bother you and place your passion and happiness first’. Clothes and fashion are my passions, I love working, challenges and enjoy every day at work. The world will try to pull you down, so don’t fall for that. They are not really looking out for you, they are only looking for faults If You have a dream, go for It.”

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