A forgotten love for stitching resurfaced when Manjusha Javier was looking for something she loved to do. Encouraged by her daughter Najooka, this young-old entrepreneur is earning lakhs through her startup Tohfa. They sell fabric-based sustainable products and they DO NOT USE plastic.
| Startup Name | Tohfa – The gift of a kind |
| Founders | Manjusha Javier |
| Industry | Textile and retail |
| Company Classification | Private Limited Company |
| Headquarters/based-in | Mahim, Mumbai, India. |
| Idea | To start something that Manjusha enjoyed and build a business. |
| Revenue | Earning around lakhs but no particular figure revealed. |
| Date of Commencement | 2017 |
| Investments | Rs 2000 |
| Customers | 15,000+ |
The Problem: Why Does This Matter?
Manjusha Javier (52) lost her job in 2016 but there were still things to be done. She was looking for work to finance her daughter’s education and run the home.
After multiple attempts, finally she got a job at a law firm but that was a 1.5-hour journey either way.
It seemed hectic to her and reading criminal law and horrible cases related to that was not doing any good to her. She felt anxious but reminded herself about her daughter Najooka Javier who had just graduated at that time.
Just like every parent, Manjusha also wanted to give her best to her daughter, which is why she continued with the job.
But Najooka was monitoring her mother and her rising anxiety with every passing day. Then, she decided to talk to her mother.
The Solution: Tohfa: The Gift of a Kind
Najooka asked Manjusha about a hobby or anything that she loved to do. The answer was Stitching. It was something that made Manjusha happy.
That was the birth of a new startup, Tohfa in Mahim, Mumbai in 2017.
Started with an investment of Rs 2000, Tohfa now manufactures pouches, laptop sleeves, purses, travel organizers, cushion covers, makeup pouches, stitching journals, fabric trays along with various other aesthetic home decor items.
Najooka (31) is now a marketing professional and helps her mother with Tohfa. It was her attempt that Manjusha decided to become an entrepreneur in her 50s, and today she is earning revenue in lakhs.
Business Model: How Do They Make Money?
Selling through their website and social media platforms, Tohfa provides products ranging from Rs 200 to Rs 2000.
Challenges/Struggles: What Roadblocks Are They Facing?
The initial challenges were building a base, gathering collaborations, and building a brand. Manjusha was constantly thinking about if this didn’t work then what would she do. She was worried about her age and if things don’t work here in Tohfa, will she be able to get any job at her age?
Manjusha has experience with fabrics and retail from the boutique shop where she worked for years. Slowly, they overcame the fears, and when in 2019 an exhibition in Chennai changed their view.
They started sourcing the fabrics from local artisans and hiring women to stitch. Working with a team of 8 women, they are working things out; one at a time.
Future Vision: What’s Next?
Furthermore, Tohfa aims to raise more awareness regarding sustainable decor items and travel accessories while adding more local artisans and suppliers.
Key Takeaways: Why Should Users Care?
From Manjusha, we can learn that age is just a number. Yes, there are already several such examples and Manjusha has again proved it right. Women empowerment and valuing local traditions can make your business strong.
Moreover, it is always better to look for things that you enjoy doing rather than run behind things you feel are just obligatory to do.
Picture Credits: The Glitz.Media, Tohfa webpage, Tohfa
