Introduction:

At just 21 years old, Haritima Mishra has achieved what many seasoned entrepreneurs aspire to – she founded ATTITUDIST, a Men’s Vegan Footwear brand, with a remarkable revenue of Rs. 25 Crores.

What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that it was accomplished with zero external funding.

Haritima’s journey is not just about business success; it’s a story of compassion, ethical entrepreneurship, and a commitment to supporting small-scale artisans.

The projected revenue of Rs. 100 Crores by 2025 reflects the brand’s promising trajectory.

The Genesis of ATTITUDIST:

Haritima’s journey began during the pandemic when she witnessed the struggles of small-scale leather artisans in her native Agra.

The artisans, facing a lack of business due to unfair trade practices, inspired her to make a difference.

In response, she launched ATTITUDIST in 2020, aiming to create a men’s vegan footwear brand that would not only offer stylish designs but also address the challenges faced by artisans.

Goals and Values:

ATTITUDIST was founded with a dual mission: to provide customers with new and affordable designs in vegan footwear while empowering artisans by promoting cruelty-free fashion.

Haritima, along with her brother Shivan Mishra, a performance marketer, and sister-in-law Sneh, a NIFT graduate, embarked on this mission to bridge the gap between fashion, ethics, and social responsibility.

Solving Industry Challenges:

ATTITUDIST addressed multiple challenges prevalent in the industry.

Firstly, by using vegan leather, the brand eliminated cruelty to animals while offering a durable and affordable alternative to traditional leather.

Vegan leather is also environmentally friendly, decomposable, and significantly reduces the greenhouse effect.

Empowering Artisans:

Artisans often face issues like holding excess inventory, delayed payments, and unfair compensation for their work.

ATTITUDIST tackled these problems by ensuring that 50% of the revenue generated from the shoes goes directly to the artisans.

This not only empowers the artisans economically but also fosters a fair and sustainable relationship between the brand and its producers.

Environmental Impact:

The brand’s commitment to using vegan leather contributes to reducing the environmental impact of the fashion industry.

Vegan leather is known for its high durability and eco-friendly properties, aligning perfectly with ATTITUDIST’s values of ethical and sustainable business practices.

Business Success and Industry Impact:

ATTITUDIST’s commitment to ethics, compassion, and quality has resonated with customers.

The brand has achieved a return rate of 3% to 5%, which is lower than the industry average for similar products.

This success demonstrates that consumers are increasingly valuing products that align with their values, and ethical entrepreneurship can indeed be profitable.

Conclusion:

Haritima Mishra’s journey with ATTITUDIST exemplifies how a young entrepreneur’s vision, when coupled with compassion and ethical principles, can lead to remarkable success.

By addressing industry challenges, supporting artisans, and promoting sustainability, ATTITUDIST has become a shining example of a business that not only thrives financially but also contributes positively to society and the environment.

Haritima’s story inspires hope for a future where businesses prioritize both profit and purpose.