A compilation of blessings !

Finding my Ikigai

It was summer of 2013 when I purchased some Gota from market, I was a struggling entrepreneur, trying to make my cut in the business world. Fresh out of college finding my Ikigai.

My first venture was Gilaaf, we made saree bags, packaging and travel utilities. Saree bags were lined with natural herbs to protect clothes from moth and silver fish without the use of harmful naphthalene balls. I was able to get first round of sales due to my family, specially my mother, a school teacher who was my biggest support and sales representative. First rounds of sales are easy, second round tells you the reality, is the market ready for your product ? Do you have returning customers ? I had none, no second round of sales, no returning customers. Young me was so enthusiastic and filled with hope, very flexible to change. 

When everyone said "NO"

I come from a white collared job oriented family, all I heard for first four years of trying to establish a business was

"you'll fail"

"Leesha, ye nahi chalega"

"Leesha, shaadi karlo"

"Kya karna hai kaam karke"

"Ladki ho, shaadi karo apne ghar jao"

"Leesha ye koi kaam nahi hai" for Prune, specially for Prune, I had a million people tell me how it won't work. 

How I changed it ? I channelized all this negativity to fuel myself even more, with each no, I made 10 more designs, with each bad review I took more care for what could be better. I changed fast and adapted rapidly. 

Learn wherever you can 

Will you believe if I told you I even sold unstitched suit pieces, with a bag in the back seat of my car ?

I went to people's house showed them things and that's where I learnt sales, tough customers bring in the best out of you. I learnt sales in Chandni Chowk, Sadar bazaar, in lanes of Faridabad and in everyday nuance. 

If you were my early customer from 2013 to 2018, I would have, hand delivered you the product, I was the delivery guy to your house.

I do want to mention a found memory that I carry from those days, I had three deliveries in one day, when I travelled from Faridabad to Delhi I made sure to do it all in one day to save both fuel and time. 

Kindness multiplies 

I had to deliver Floral Jewelry to a bride in Naraina Vihar and I got lost twice with maps, that's a rare skill I posses, getting lost with google maps is my favorite thing to do ! I called them twice and they helped me reach them, the bride's mother was so kind to notice my fatigue, they invited me inside.

I remember the whole house was decorated in fresh Marigold flowers, they sat me down and got me a coffee. This was the first time a customer had treated me this kindly. I remember smiling with each sip of coffee that I took, I can't recall their names but their voices and kindness will always be fresh in my memories.

The kindness then over filled my life with the most ecstatic entrepreneurship life, I was blessed to be a part of ! Here are a few of your words written here by me, feeling your energy all over again and putting it out for you ! Thank you for being kind to us !

Your Words That Fuel Us

“Everyone was asking me about them.” — Namrata

“I just got home, just opened it. It’s beautiful, thank you!” — Meg

“The jewelry looked amazing, thank you so much.” — Rashika

“I love the jewelry, thank you.” — Nilee

“Thank you for the beautiful jewelry.” — Vidita

“Thank you so much for such wonderful floral jewelry, it looked fabulous at my Haldi event.” — Chaitanya

“Thank you so much, the jewelry looked just perfect.” — Salini

“Thank you so much, will share more pictures of the jewelry soon.” — Arushi

“Thank you so much for the amazing floral jewelry for my Haldi function, it looked amazing.” — Aparna

“Thank you so much! The flower jewelry was beautiful and the customised blue went really well.” — Ruhi

“Thank you! You helped me select the right jewelry.” — Pallavi

“Thank you for the amazing flower jewelry.” — Sravya

“Thank you for the lovely jewelry, it looked fab on the day of my Haldi.” — Sukriti

“Thank you for the stunning jewelry.” — Ria

“Hi Leesha! I just received the first set of photos from the photography team. Everyone is gushing over your jewelry. I wore it for my Haldi ceremony and the haath phool for our wedding ceremony. I love you and Prune India. Thank you so much once again.” — Jijivisha

We are not allowed to share failures openly but only hopes !

If you have made it to this paragraph, thank you for reading till the end. 

Why did I choose today to write this ? Today is the last New Moon of 2025, also called Amavasya in Hindi, the day of darkness when the moon won't be seen, but also a day of inner reflection.

Last two years at Prune have been the hardest years of our lives, but we are changing and we will come out again with much more to align with you, your kindness and energy. 

Thank you !

- Leesha Arora