About Us
A Housewife Turned Entrepreneur
"Mumbai is a city of dreams." This statement holds true once again as Shweta Manek turned her passion for fashion into a thriving business. In the world of entrepreneurial endeavors, few stories resonate as deeply as hers. From her love for comfort and style, she created the brand ‘Brat & Babe’, specializing in night suits. Being a housewife, her journey was not a piece of cake.
How the Journey Started…
Shweta was searching for night suits for her 16-year-old child. With a background in the fashion industry, she had a keen eye for fabric and design. Despite scouring numerous shops, none of the night suits met her standards. The lack of appealing designs, unflattering appearances, and, most importantly, the absence of comfort led her to a decision.
To combine comfort and style, she started her own brand of casual clothing and nightwear for women and kids—‘Brat & Babe’. She believes that what you wear should reflect your personality, even at home. Hence, she began with a collection of night suits that make the wearer feel confident and relaxed at the same time.
Brat & Babe Started Because…
From an early age, Shweta wanted to have her own apparel brand. Born and brought up in Mumbai, she studied fashion design at a reputed institute. After her marriage, her focus shifted to homemaking and raising her children. However, the desire to create her brand lingered. When the right opportunity presented itself, she seized it, embarking on the journey she had always envisioned.
The core reason behind starting her brand for nightwear was to provide utmost comfort and style to the wearer. As the creative designer, founder, and director of the brand, she designs and creates nightwear for kids and women under her supervision.
In the Initial Phase She Achieved…
The main purpose of ‘Brat & Babe’ is to provide urban, natural, comfortable, and simple yet stylish nightwear. Shweta believes that "design creates culture, culture shapes children," so her nightwear designs reflect style and comfort. After facing disappointment with both offline and online nightwear, she spent 9-12 months planning her brand.
Her initial goal was not to earn money but to provide happiness and comfort to kids through their nightwear. As a housewife, she was unaware of how to start a business, where to sell, and how to price products. However, she learned and managed all these aspects. Sourcing high-quality fabrics and finding skilled artisans who shared her vision were also hurdles she overcame.
Starting the Business Helped Her…
Strong determination plays a key role. She quotes, "Nobody is perfect, and when you start something new, you need not be perfect but passionate." Shweta learned marketing, production, distribution, finances, and more on her own. Managing cash flow was tough, but her passion for her brand helped her overcome all obstacles. She believed that in this competitive era, one should not be afraid to take risks.
Shweta firmly believed that even in the absence of immediate orders, closing down her brand was never an option. Her unwavering dedication and belief that hard work would eventually pay off proved true. With her creative designs crafted from premium-quality fabrics, she began to attract a steady stream of orders, validating her commitment and vision. She continually improved the designs, comfort, and fabric of the nightwear to offer maximum comfort and style.
What Kept Her Motivated:
In this competitive market, standing out is very tough, but her trust in herself helped her achieve her target. As she says, "Fashion with comfort plays an important role in enhancing confidence," so she kept improving her designs and styles. To stay motivated, she maintained a positive headspace surrounded by good people and prioritized good health to focus better.
Working Force & Upcoming Goals
Currently, Shweta has two working units (workshops) with around 20-22 employees. She designs the outfits, and two master tailors stitch them to perfection. Fond of color, she curates elegant and stylish designs for kids and women to make them happy. She sells her nightwear apparel online and receives a good response. Future plans include opening retail stores with more improved quality and designs.
Brat & Babe Is Available On…
Balancing homemaking responsibilities with her business venture was a formidable challenge for Shweta. To achieve balance, she chose to sell her apparel through e-commerce platforms, recognizing their convenience and flexibility. Online marketplaces were a natural choice due to their user-friendly nature and the burgeoning demand, especially after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Future Expansions:
Shweta Manek is on a mission to create the most stylish, elegant pyjamas and make the wearer feel special. People praise her designs, and she has never received a complaint regarding the fabric. By indulging creativity in business, she plans to expand her designs by introducing themed nightwear for various occasions. For upcoming events, she is planning a night suit fashion show to showcase her designs. Soon, her products will be available on every major apparel e-commerce site.
Message to All the Upcoming Entrepreneurs
Failure is a part of success, so do not feel demotivated when you do not achieve your set target. Keep working towards your goal and always set realistic and clear expectations. Remember, every day is exciting as it is a creative field, so innovation goes hand in hand. In an entrepreneurial journey, your growth graph will sometimes peak and sometimes hit rock bottom. But be passionate about your goal and work towards it always.
About Brat & Babe
The aim of the business is to make people feel happy, comfortable, and stylish at the same time. With unique designs, they offer premium quality nightwear. Along with timeless designs and durability, they serve both genders. For kids, they create a colorful childhood. In a very short span, the brand has generated decent revenue and is now on a mission to attract more customers and profit from upcoming business plans.
The fabric used in making this nightwear is soft, gentle, and non-irritating for children. The designs are curated to be funky, fun, and attractive. The brand’s motto is "Happy Kids, Happy We." Shweta Manek, the founder of Brat & Babe, says, "Children go where there is excitement, and I want to give them that with lots of comfort."