IBEC Director, Bob Bush, and Director of Coaching, Jonathan Brake, recently returned from India where they were teaching and coaching BAM startups. Among other relationships, they had the opportunity to meet with Nisha Ghosh, owner of an architectural business in Bangalore. Nisha’s love for India’s impoverished women inspired her to start a new business called Zero. You will find her story interesting and informative as Bob tells it here.
Larry W. Sharp, BAM Support Specialist, IBEC Ventures
Larry.sharp@ibecventures.com
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When we think of the word “pivot” in business, the ability to shift strategy immediately comes to mind. In the BAM world, we often see this happen because of the difficulties many of our practitioners face when building/growing their businesses. In addition, we see practitioners continually search for other ways to reach the unreached with the gospel. For some, the desire to expand their current situation and have an even greater impact on the world becomes a new mindset. It is an interesting and challenging pivot for Nisha Ghosh to utilize her business acumen to not only impact her architectural clients but also the women in the slums of India. Her desire to reach this forgotten layer of society is where the launch of Zero comes in.
So, what is Zero?
Zero operates in the textile industry and resides in the slums of India. Nisha is using her creative gifts to build a sustainable replicable model of The Circular Textile Lab1, a model that she developed to green-skill the women of the former gold mining town Kolar Gold Fields. For these women, being trained for and producing products for Zero at The Circular Textile Lab, is an escape from the world they’ve been forced into for many years. These newly created jobs not only provide dignity and hope but also an opportunity to make a difference for others confronted with the same lifestyle, as the women are nurtured to their full God-given potential. At any given time, between 10 and 45 women are being trained at the circular lab. These jobs are changing lives and for the first time, these women have something they can believe in.
Where does IBEC fit?
Our current goal is to help Nisha create a commercial strategy focused on selling and marketing lab-designed products, in order to sustain the green livelihoods. Currently, the product sells at pop-ups primarily rolled out to churches in the area. We’ve discussed the idea of hiring salespeople to improve the company’s reach. We will also closely examine pricing models, messaging, and commission pay structure for maximum impact. Over the years, we have built significant trust with Nisha. She is excited about the idea of working with us on this project; one that could have a lasting impact on the women of Zero, while its larger goal creates the urban potential for keeping landfills clear of virgin-textile discards from the tailoring shops and fabric shops.
The relationship we have built with Nisha reflects a high level of trust and a mutual desire from both parties to help change the world through business. Zero pursues the most vulnerable layer of society with the gospel through love and intervention, an action many shy away from today. Here at IBEC, we are privileged to partner with Nisha as she brings hope to her community. The lives of the women connected with Zero are changing, and in the process, they are encouraging others to do the same as well.
1 Circular labs utilize fiber-to-fiber techniques that focus on turning virgin textile end bits into new, high-quality materials in apparel, kids’ clothes, toys, home décor and more.
Bob Bush, Managing Director, IBEC Ventures
Robert.Bush@ibecventures.com