Love for painting leads couple to venture out on their own with Wearmates

Dilli Haat is probably one of the most popular places to visit when anyone visits the capital of India. And especially for the culturally inclined. Dilli Haat is a government-run place which has the feel of a village market but catering to contemporary needs. Stopping over in Delhi on my way to Dharamsala one fine Sunday, I decided to spend a few hours at Dilli Haat as it coincided with the Travelista festival and also gives a chance to meet some exciting new ventures.While strolling in the market, I came across an enthusiastic couple, Shruti Rai and Udai Bir Bhasin, selling hand-painted t-shirts. I got chatting with Shruti and, as almost every entrepreneur, she had a very interesting story to share. And the best part is that even the duo believes that every garment has a story to tell which they bring out.

The couple met each other via a common friend a year ago and struck a chord right away. Shruti hails from Bihar and she went on to get an MBA from Symbiosis Pune while Udai is an engineer and MBA from Delhi. Shruti loved to paint ever since childhood and both of them had come to accept the fact that they're not cut out for a corporate job.

Joining hands, in life and business, the two of them pooled in all their savings and started up WearMates to make and sell custom-made hand crafted products. They have tee shirts, sweat shirts, pots and a few other products in the pipeline. "We have done everything between the two of us. From painting the products to putting up the website to finance, every possible thing," say the duo grinning.

Based out of Delhi, they set up some exhibitions as well, but online is their primary channel. Still in their very early days, WearMates ships close to 40 orders a month and has also bagged two corporate orders. "We are really excited about what we're doing and intend to make this idea a success," says Shruti.

These ventures and stories are what put more force behind the whole spirit of entrepreneurship and will help in making the concept mainstream.

Website: Wearmates