If there’s one factor pet dad and mom know learn how to do, it’s spoil their furry infants. From stacks of vibrant toys to stunning collars and harnesses, all of us need the very best for our pets. However what we’d fail to contemplate is that these merchandise are sometimes created from dangerous plastics and nylon that might truly hurt them.
‘IndieGood’ addresses this frequent concern by being a life-style model that cares for pets, individuals, and the planet. “I consider in residing a life that respects the essential idea that every one residing issues need to be thought of,” Sneha Bagrecha, founding father of IndieGood, tells The Higher India.
With 12 years of expertise in designing way of life merchandise utilizing Indian artisanal handwork and pure supplies, Sneha now goals to broaden her affect. Her new objective is to have interaction in public outreach, educating individuals on making higher selections for his or her pets.
However the street to founding this model didn’t come from a single “aha” second; as a substitute, it was a collective realisation that she and her college students had.
Compassion as a core enterprise philosophy
IndieGood, an Ahmedabad-based model, started with an thought impressed by a gaggle dialogue between Sneha and her college students. As she inspired the scholars to debate the way forward for sustainable industries and the place sustainability may make an actual affect, the thought of making eco-friendly, protected merchandise for pets was born.
“We made only a few merchandise as an experiment. After we confirmed them to the dad and mom, they have been utterly shocked,” she says. What began as a small challenge, experimenting with sustainable pet merchandise, shortly gained consideration.
Conscious of this hole available in the market, she started to note a disturbing pattern within the pet care trade. “Once I began pet merchandise in shops, every little thing was created from plastic, nylon, or polyfill; even in high-end pet shops! It shocked me that nobody was speaking about how the toys and different pet merchandise have been stuffed with supplies that weren’t protected for animals and will even show to be deadly,” she remembers.
This realisation struck a private chord as properly after getting disturbing information from a buddy whose cat ingested a chunk of a plastic toy. The toy ruptured her intestines, and the cat suffered vastly. “Animals are curious and so they chew on issues with out us even realising. You possibly can’t presumably monitor them 24/7, and when one thing like this occurs, you surprise how usually it goes unnoticed in houses internationally,” she shares.
The core perception of working for pets, planets and folks is the lens via which Sneha views her work as a designer and entrepreneur. “I consider in co-existence and ensuring that nobody or nothing is harmed needlessly — only for comfort,” she explains.
One of many merchandise of their vary consists of grain-based beds which might be orthopaedic and protected for pets. Additionally they supply harnesses, collars, toys, and different pet equipment — all designed to be plastic-free and made utilizing eco-friendly supplies like handloom cotton, jute, and pure fibres.
Constructing on her background: From handcrafts to sustainability
Earlier than launching IndieGood, Sneha’s skilled background was rooted in design, particularly in handcrafted merchandise. She had been working with artisans for years, creating handloom baggage, way of life equipment, and workplace necessities. Her objective was at all times to uplift artisans, a lot of whom got here from rural backgrounds, giving them higher financial alternatives and a platform to showcase their craft.
Jayesh Vaghela (42), who has been working with Sneha for the previous 5 years, specialises in handwork. He shares how Sneha and her group educated his whole household within the craft. Nevertheless, he notes that the rising choice for mass-produced, ready-to-wear merchandise has severely impacted artisans who depend upon conventional craftsmanship for his or her livelihood.
“Individuals usually assume our creations look too easy as a result of they aren’t as flashy as machine-made merchandise or these made with artificial supplies,” he explains.
Not only for Vaghela, that is the fact of plenty of Indian craftsmen, who’ve a wealth of expertise, information, and ingenuity however battle to get work. In such cases, companies and types that concentrate on all features of manufacturing show to be a step in the best course
Sneha’s travels throughout varied textile and rural craft clusters across the nation uncovered her to a wealth of expertise and artistry. She noticed firsthand the unbelievable potential of India’s artisan communities. Working with these artisans gave her a way of fulfilment — she knew that her work was empowering households, supporting rural economies, and selling sustainable, moral manufacturing.
“I’ve at all times believed that India’s artisans are among the many finest on the planet. The craft, the ability, the creativity — it’s all so authentic and rooted in our tradition. You received’t discover it anyplace else. I imply, the place else on the planet will you get an Ajrak?” she says.
IndieGood’s dedication to animal welfare, sustainability, and artisan empowerment
As Sneha’s imaginative and prescient for IndieGood expands, so does her dedication to creating a higher affect. She has begun partnering with animal welfare organisations and is now collaborating with YODA (Youth Group in Protection of Animals) and Individuals for Animals.
YODA supplies free medicine and checkups for avenue animals in Mumbai, and IndieGood determined to accomplice with them, donating a portion of their proceeds to assist these avenue animals in want. “We don’t wish to simply promote merchandise. We wish to create a public outreach motion. Our intention is to teach individuals concerning the significance of creating higher selections for his or her pets, animals usually, and the planet,” reiterates Sneha.
They not too long ago partnered with Individuals for Animals (PFA), an organisation devoted to animal welfare since 1992. Via this collaboration, Sneha goals to boost funds for his or her mission with PFA’s assist.
Sneha has seen firsthand the constructive affect of working with artisans, empowering them, and giving them alternatives to showcase their work. “Via our work, we’re additionally serving to individuals. The artisans who create our merchandise come from rural areas, and by supporting them, we’re offering them with a gentle revenue,” she says.
IndieGood has been awarded the Modern Enterprise Award by Google and the Digital Girls Collective for its eco-friendly strategy to pet care. The award recognises the model’s dedication to sustainability and animal welfare.
“I hope that we grow to be a mannequin for others to comply with — a model that proves you are able to do good for the planet, for animals, and for individuals, all whereas creating high-quality, sustainable merchandise,” she shares.
Edited by Pranita Bhat, All Picture Courtesy of Sneha Bagrecha
