The Woman Who Chose to 'Startup' at 60!

Bangalore, India, May 2, 2015 (Newswire.com) - ​Someone once remarked that most of us live through life being armchair entrepreneurs. We get used to the security that a salaried job offers while harbouring entrepreneurial dreams, unable to realise them as we cannot afford to take the risk. It is refreshing therefore to hear of someone who at the dawn of her 60th birthday chose to start her own venture, even more refreshing that she chose to go the eCommerce way. Today, as Thread Turner celebrates its first anniversary, the team enters into conversation with its founder and CEO – Meenakshi Datta.

Team ThreadTurner: (tongue in cheek) So Meenakshi, what took you so long?

Meenakshi: Long, is it? Well… let’s just say like every other woman, I gave up a nice job to devote my time to bringing up my children and once they flew the nest, that’s when I got started. I took an active interest in honing my skills and joined theatre workshops, did voice overs, conducted communication skills workshops, held sessions as a motivational speaker and created initiatives to empowering underprivileged women. Every step was a learning,which all put together culminated in me starting up Thread Turner.

Team TT: Who or what was your inspiration?

Meenakshi: A year ago, on a home-bound flight, I came across an article on Captain Nair and I was surprised to know that at age 65 he started the Leela Group of Hotels. That really got me thinking that age is just a number. This was inspiration enough for me to turn into an entrepreneur.

Team TT: What are the challenges that you faced while setting up your enterprise?
Meenakshi: Whatever challenges I faced, I put it down to learning. eCommerce was a completely new domain for me, something way beyond my comfort zone. I remember always being at the edge of my seat as I underwent the training program to setting up the website – all the jargons, parameters, software… But I always knew the great potential eCommerce held and a few days into training, I discovered its beautiful nuances and also the power of technology.

This being a startup, right from the initial days I wanted hands-on experience. So I also did the rounds of the various agencies that are responsible for issuing licenses to start-ups. The formalities and the waiting time that followed require a great deal of patience, optimism and determination. That itself was education enough into a whole new world of not just designing clothing but learning the ropes of the trade.

Team TT: Let’s get personal. How has your family welcomed this change?

Meenakshi: Oh the family has always supported each and every initiative of mine but of course working out of home was a new thing for them. My meetings with craftsmen would be monitored by the family and would take place in between rustling up an evening snack. (laughs) My conference calls used to be punctuated with “Do you have any clothes for ironing?”, “Can I take the car out?”… to my mother-in-law insisting I join her for tea.

Team TT: What keeps you going? What’s your mantra?

Meenakshi: I connect very well with the youth and young people like myself (smiles). I like the energy and buzz that surrounds them. Also, if there is any challenging situation, I never sit on it for more than 24 hours.

Team TT: Communication Skills Workshops, Theatre, Voice Over... how did designing / conducting makeovers happen?

Meenakshi: I love meeting people and travelling. Over the years, I’ve been complimented on my artistic and cultural sensibilities of doing up my homes and my personal wardrobe. Many celebrated designers at fashion weeks have come forward and appreciated my aesthetic dressing sense. While I guess designing was a natural progression of that, all my experience of conducting workshops with corporates on personal grooming is what eventually led me to conducting makeovers.

Team TT: Can you summarise the past one year in one word/ phrase?

Meenakshi: On-the-go!

Team TT: What is your vision for Thread Turner?

Meenakshi: While I take each day at a time, going forward, I see brand Thread Turner being the fashion choice of the independent, enterprising and empowered woman.

About Thread Turner:

Thread Turner is an apparel & fashion brand for the working woman of today, steering away from stereotypical notions and introducing fresh thought to the wardrobe. Specialties include Fashion Makeovers, Corporate Saris, Party-Festive-Wedding Saris for the Working Woman, Heritage Stoles and more.

Contact details

Email: pr (dot) threadturner@gmail (dot) com