Young Edge | Handicrafts, hustling, and hobbies: How Gen Z Punekars are using their talents to launch small companies

Today's youth are accustomed to seeing stories of people advertising their small enterprises, such as an announcement of new stock, a review from a satisfied client, or a fresh batch of cookies straight out of the oven. Many Gen Z entrepreneurs in Pune are turning their passions into tiny enterprises, ranging from jewellery and tote bags to clay keychains and personalised baked goods. For them, these tiny businesses are manifestations of their uniqueness and entrepreneurial spirit rather than merely side gigs.

What started off as a fun endeavour quickly evolved into "Tote Tales," a tiny business where classmates Diksha Sasane, Mrudula Kshirsagar, Shruti Rajopadhye, and Yashashree Parab, 20-year-old BCA students, hand-paint and embroider tote bags.

"Our company began as an enjoyable endeavour. We enjoyed the tote bags' hand-painting and embroidery. Yashashree says, "We realised it could be something bigger when we got a huge response at the college market." "The majority of our customers find us through Instagram; social media played a big role in helping us connect with people and grow," she says. The team has already sold more than 200 items, and in order to make selling easier, they intend to build their own website.

 

Shrushti Chitnis, a 19-year-old psychology student who started the handcrafted jewellery company "Aahvi Jewels," claims that her early afternoons spent making with her mother served as her inspiration. "What began as giving gifts to friends became a side business. She says, "I use Instagram to promote my work, and even though it's still growing, it gives me a sense of independence and creative freedom." With 15 to 20 orders per month, Chitnis intends to soon expand her little firm into a full-fledged enterprise.

 

Creating handcrafted goods with imagination

Pratishtha Singh, a 19-year-old media student, and Anchita L. S., an 18-year-old archaeology student, are the founders of "Art.Nest.Co," a company that uses clay and pipe cleaner to create handcrafted items like flowers, keychains, and bouquets. "We aimed to transform our imagination into something significant. Social media allows us to interact with others and share our artwork. For us, maintaining consistency and relishing the process are more important than creating a large company, adds Singh. Receiving four to five orders every week, they intend to use Instagram to promote and expand their business more aggressively.

Neha Kale, a 21-year-old homebaker and BBA student who founded "Spoonful of Caramel," saw the pandemic as a turning moment in her life. Despite being under lockdown, some still wanted to celebrate. I launched an Instagram page, acquired an oven, and started accepting little orders," she explains. These days, word-of-mouth and social media account for the majority of my clientele. Kale says, "For me, success isn't just about making money; it's about making people happy with my cakes." Neha intends to create her own bakery in the future and views the approximately thirty orders she receives each month as a chance to learn and develop.

 

Encouraging eco-friendly, handcrafted crochet presents

Ananya Sonar, a 20-year-old law student and the creator of "Fiora Creations," promotes eco-friendly, handcrafted gifts by using her skills in crocheting and needlework. Instagram accounts for 80% of my business. It's difficult to handle everything by myself, but it's worth it to see how much people value my work. Sonar says, "I believe that Gen Z is motivated more by the fulfilment and purpose we derive from our work than by money." Since last year, she has fulfilled over 100 personalised orders, and she intends to continue doing so as her business progresses.

Every handcrafted item has a purpose and aspiration narrative. For the next generation, these endeavours are redefining what it means to be an entrepreneur.