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Within a short period, TidyUp has gained positive feedback and recognition from celebrities and influencers like Sonam Kapoor, Masoom Minawala and Mira Kapoor and snowballed into a lifestyle concept that resonates with consumers.
In the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, balancing multiple roles can be a formidable challenge, especially if the venture is run by mompreneurs. Having the right business partner can be a great source of support here.
For Vani Talwar Khosla and Paridhi Sekhri, co-founders of TidyUp — an enterprise dedicated to redefining how individuals protect and preserve their treasured belongings in an organised manner through carefully crafted bags and shoe care products—becoming successful entrepreneurs has been fueled not only by their shared vision but also by a deep-rooted friendship that has spanned over many years.
Their educational backgrounds equipped Vani and Paridhi with a range of skills and insights necessary for their entrepreneurial endeavours. Vani’s global upbringing and education in marketing and luxury brand management provided her with a unique perspective on identifying market gaps. Reflecting on her journey, Vani shares, “I have always been an entrepreneur by nature and spotted a gap for a premium grooming concept in India, which led me to start The Powder Room Delhi, a mobile hair and makeup service. Similarly, I realised the need for ensuring that everyone has products that add value and longevity to the things they value.”
Paridhi’s educational background in business, marketing and fashion designing, combined with her experience in marketing and launching brands — she launched “The Boho Bungalow” as the Creative Director of The Trend Setters International— helped her found her calling in creating a business that solves a much-needed problem while making a positive impact. She said, “My dream was always to create a business that is my own brainchild — where I can contribute something innovative to society while contributing to the positive footprint of the planet.”
These foundations laid the groundwork for their collaboration in co-founding TidyUP in July 2021.
TidyUP was born out of the duo’s personal struggle to preserve and extend the life of their belongings. They realised that people often face challenges in finding products that offer reliable protection and preservation, and came up with their flagship product, the TidyUP Organiser. It quickly gained traction in the market and disrupted the landscape.
What sets TidyUP apart is its commitment to making responsible products and its mission to contribute more holistically to a sustainable and circular future. “We wanted to create products that inspire people to adopt a more conscientious approach,” Vani shares. “We are proud of the TidyUP Organiser because it not only offers excellent protection but also promotes a more sustainable lifestyle,” Paridhi proudly adds. By combining groundbreaking technology, sustainable practices, and uncompromising quality, the dynamic duo aims to redefine the meaning of safeguarding and cherishing what matters most.
Vani and Paridhi’s journey is not just one of business success but also a testament to the power of their kinship. The roots of their friendship can be traced back to 2006, when they met at a party and instantly clicked over their shared love for food, life, and travel. Their bond has strengthened over the years, becoming an invaluable source of support and motivation for their entrepreneurial endeavours. In Paridhi’s words, “Our strong friendship, passion and shared interests is the foundation of our brand.”
Their friendship is both an advantage and an in-built support system in their entrepreneurial journey. They understand each other’s strengths, weaknesses, and dreams, which allows them to work seamlessly together. Amid busy work schedules and family responsibilities, Vani and Paridhi still make time to nurture their friendship. They socially hang out and take trips together, finding moments of relaxation and rejuvenation amidst their demanding lives.
This shared bond not only strengthens their personal relationship but also enhances their professional partnership. “We have realised the bonds of friendship can provide a solid basis for collaboration, trust, and shared vision, enabling us to navigate all challenges and victories together,” Vani remarks.
For Vani and Paridhi, being successful entrepreneurs is not the only aspect of their lives. They balance their roles as mothers and wives with their professional responsibilities.
Vani starts her day early and ensures she has time to chat with her eight-year-old daughter before the latter leaves for school. She heads to work after getting ready and having coffee with her mother-in-law. The day at the TidyUP workspace is a well-balanced mix of tasks, banter, and enjoyable lunches with her partner. After leaving the office around 4:30-5 p.m., Vani dedicates two-three hours to her other business. Despite her busy schedule, she prioritises meditation to maintain internal stability and balance.
Paridhi’s day begins by sending her fourteen-year-old daughter and nine-year-old son off to school and doing her morning Sadhana which “sets a positive tone for the day.” After breakfast with her husband, she heads to work, where she spends five-six hours with Vani, ensuring their tasks are enjoyable and relishing their snack breaks. She leaves the office by 4 p.m. Coffee, snacks, exciting badminton matches, household errands, dinner and light reading with kids fill up the rest of the time before she caps her day watching a TV show with her husband.
Their families are a strong support system, and both of them are grateful for the understanding and encouragement they receive. “I have been blessed to be born and married into a family where men and women are raised and respected as equals. Even though we have different careers, my husband and I have always been a team, taking turns carrying the baton when one is overwhelmed,” Paridhi mentions. “My parents and husband are definitely my biggest cheerleaders, stepping in whenever I was unable to and offering me continuous support with my child and understanding when I needed time,” Vani adds.
TidyUP’s journey has been noteworthy. Within a short period, it has gained positive feedback and recognition from celebrities and influencers like Sonam Kapoor, Masoom Minawala and Mira Kapoor and snowballed into a lifestyle concept that resonates with consumers. The fact that the venture has achieved a turnover of a crore and turned profitable within a year of its launch further reinforces its success.
Looking ahead, Vani and Paridhi have a clear vision for TidyUP. They aim for TidyUP to catalyse a paradigm shift in protecting and preserving personal belongings. The founders are dedicated to setting a new industry standard, redefining how individuals safeguard and cherish their most treasured possessions. As Vani confidently states, “We believe everyone deserves peace of mind when it comes to protecting and preserving their belongings. With TidyUP, we are making that possible.” Paridhi adds, “We are excited to see how TidyUP evolves and grows, but our ultimate goal remains the same — to empower individuals to safeguard what they value most and contribute to a more sustainable world.”
While striving to achieve their vision, Vani and Paridhi acknowledge their challenges. One of the most significant hurdles is creating and finding vendors who can deliver the unique range of TidyUP products, including the upcoming ones, without compromising quality and sustainability. However, the duo is unwavering in their determination and dedication and believes in overcoming these obstacles through “patience and perseverance.”
The duo emphasises the importance of self-care, self-compassion and personal growth, which allows them to be present and effective in each role. Balancing multiple responsibilities and striving for success can be demanding, and it’s essential for mompreneurs to remember that there is no perfect scenario.
“There is no one-size-fits-all approach to being a successful entrepreneur and mother,” Paridhi explains. “Everyone has their own journey, and it is unique. Trust yourself, be kind to yourself, and celebrate your accomplishments, big and small.”
Asking for help and surrounding oneself with a supportive network are crucial steps in building a community that uplifts, inspires, and empowers. Vani and Paridhi believe that with the support of such a network, entrepreneurs can overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
“Embrace the process, learn from challenges, and keep moving forward with determination and resilience,” Vani advises. “You have the power to create your own success story.” As a mompreneur, these words resonate with me as I conclude our interview.
The duo’s journey exemplifies the limitless possibilities that arise when friendship, passion, and entrepreneurship intertwine. Together, they have rewritten the narrative, proving that true success lies not only in business achievements but also in the strength of the bonds we forge along the way.
Follow Vani here and Paridhi here.
Smita Das Jain is a writer by passion who writes every day. Samples of her writing are visible in the surroundings around her — her home office, her sunny terrace garden, her husband’s car and read more...
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UP Boards Topper Prachi Nigam was trolled on social media for her facial hair; our obsession with appearance is harsh on young minds.
Prachi Nigam’s photo has been doing the rounds on social media for the right reasons. Well, scratch that- I wish the above statement were true. This 15-year-old girl should ideally be revelling in her spectacular achievement of scoring a whopping 98.05% and topping her tenth-grade boards. But oddly enough, along with her marks, it’s something else that garners more attention – her facial hair.
While the trolls are driving themselves giddy by mocking this girl who hasn’t even completed her school yet, the ones who are taking her side are going one step ahead – they are sharing her photoshopped pictures, sans the facial hair, looking nothing less than a celebrity with captions saying – “Prachi Nigam, ten years later”.
Doctors have already diagnosed her with PCOD in their comments, based on photographic evidence. While we have names for people shamed for their weight – body shaming, for their skin colour- racism, for their age- age shaming, for being a female- sexism, this category of shaming where one faces criticism for their appearance has no name. With that, it also has zero shame attached to it.
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