Imagine leaving your job to design someone else’s dream workplace, home, or even a cozy little café down the street. Sounds like a wild ride, right? Well, that’s exactly what Prachi Bhatia did when she started Chokhat.
The Birth of a Dream
Prachi Bhatia’s story begins with a rocky start. During her first job, she didn’t have enough money to start her company. And when her second job turned out to have a toxic environment, she decided to take a leap of faith. With just ₹1 lakh from her savings and a burning passion for home decor, she made an overnight decision to start Chokhat in 2018, despite her original plan to do so in 2025. Talk about fast-tracking your dreams!
Creating a Home Decor Haven
With her creative juices flowing, Prachi designed 4-5 unique products and collaborated with a local manufacturer to bring her vision to life. Chokhat is all about giving the working middle class a taste of that high-end designer life without the high-end price tag. Her designs? Inspired by nature and animals, they ooze a vibe of warmth and coziness From trays and ceramic bowls to tea sets, coasters, baskets, and planters—you name it, she’s got it. And all of that goodness comes in a price range between ₹500 and ₹3,500. Winning!
For Prachi, “Chokhat” isn’t just a name—it’s the starting point of every home. The doorway, the threshold where your story begins. It felt so fitting for a brand that’s all about making homes more special.
Let’s get down to why animals are the MVPs at Chokhat. For Prachi, animals and nature bring that much-needed serenity and freedom to our otherwise chaotic lives. Seriously, who wouldn’t want a little bit of nature’s tranquility in their home?
Modern life has us feeling more disconnected than a Wi-Fi signal in a concrete bunker. So, Chokhat is all about rekindling that lost bond with nature.
Imagine this: animal-inspired designs that infuse your home with a playful, calming energy. It’s like inviting a charming zoo to move into your living room (minus the mess and feeding time).
And wait, there’s more! They’ve got this delightful feature called “Animals of the Month,” where they spotlight specific animal-inspired products each month. It’s like a monthly tribute to our furry (or feathered) friends, bringing a dash of nature’s peace and joy into our homes.
Hustle Mode: ON
To fund her budding business, Prachi hustled as a freelance graphic designer. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. For the first three months, Prachi was swimming in the sea of zero orders. Yikes! But this queen didn’t back down. She flipped the script and ran some ads to reel in her first customers.
Imagine those folks scrolling on their phones like, “Ooh, what’s this cute little tray? Add to cart!”
As a woman entrepreneur, she faced skepticism and challenges that would make anyone want to throw in the towel. Her friends were earning big bucks and investing in themselves, while Prachi poured all her savings into Chokhat. It was tough, but she never let self-doubt bring her down.
Prachi believes that self-doubt is the ultimate buzzkill, so she powered through with unwavering determination.
Shark Tank India: A Game Changer
Prachi recently appeared on Shark Tank India 4, asking for ₹50 lakh for 7% equity. She secured a deal with none other than Anupam Mittal and Peyush Bansal. Cha-ching!
Mentorship and financial backing were in the bag, ready to take Chokhat to the next level. Thanks to the sharks, Chokhat’s revenue has been on a steady climb, hitting ₹35.5 lakh.
With this new moolah, Prachi has big plans to:
- Expand her product range
- Hire some key players for her team
- Blitz the marketing game to make sure everyone knows the Chokhat name.
The Road Ahead
Her goal?
=>To make Chokhat the go-to brand for home decor.
From the tiniest door knob to the grandest sofa, she wants Chokhat to have it all at prices that won’t break the bank. So, here’s to Prachi—designer, hustler, and home decor queen. Her journey is proof that with grit, a bit of creativity, and some shark-tastic support, anything is possible.
Prachi’s story is an inspiration to all dreamers out there. If you have a passion, don’t let self-doubt hold you back. Embrace the challenges, hustle hard, and keep your eyes on the prize. The road to success might be bumpy, but with determination and resilience, you can turn your dreams into reality.
Keep an eye on Chokhat because this story is just getting started. 🎉📈
