SAWN's Monthly Spotlight: Nila Chakraborty

SAWN's spotlight of the month is Nila Chakraborty, a Twin Cities entrepreneur with a passion for fashion and the brains behind the popular e-commerce platform - ShopBollyWear. Launched in 2016, ShopBollyWear has grown into a substantial business in a short time, offering a vast array of clothing options to customers.

We had the opportunity to sit down with Nila and talk to her about her business and her life.

Tell us about your venture and what drew you to this field?

When I was working in the wedding planning business, I witnessed how clients loved to dress fashionably for weddings and festive occasions but did not have access to the selection and style of clothes they desired. What if you could get an Indian outfit at your doorstep with the click of a button? That was the idea! I decided to start an online retail business for elegant Indian ethnic wear and launched ShopBollyWear.com in 2016. The response has been overwhelming. Clients tell me how they have been looking for exactly the type of merchandise we offer.

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment?

Being able to mentor young kids through Junior Achievement-- a nonprofit that inspires and prepares young people for success.

Did you always want to be an entrepreneur when you were growing up?

The thought never occurred to me. I started my career in banking, transitioned to wedding planning and now, here I am! I believe all my positions have helped me to get to where I am.

What advice would you give someone who is interested in starting their own business?

Start today. The only true way to learn is by doing and you can’t afford to sit around waiting for funding, hoping someone else will come along to help you execute on your idea or complain that you don’t have the time. Making excuses won’t help you start a business and it sure won’t help you create the lifestyle you want for yourself.

Which celebrity would you like to dress up and what would you pick?

Konkona Sen Sharma - the actor's sari looks have an unmissable old-world charm, while also being contemporarily relevant. From basic cotton saris to exquisite molten gold ones, Konkona has managed to give the sari a new face with her grace, elegance, and the ease with which she carries them.

Are you a SAWN member? What do you like about SAWN?

Yes. I love the opportunity to meet so many South Asian women from all walks of life and hear stories about their success and failures. They all inspire me.

Check out Nila's business at: ShopBollyWear.Com