Mandi’s Kanchan Vaidya knits successful entrepreneur dream, starts multi-crore enterprise
MANDI: Kanchan Vaidya, a native of Mandi who is in her early forties, embodies the spirit of determination and entrepreneurship.
From modest beginnings, she has risen to prominence among women entrepreneurs with her steadfast resolve.
What started with a few thousand rupees has grown into a multi-crore enterprise. During a visit to her hometown, Kanchan saw her mother wearing beautifully knitted socks made by her cousin’s wife. This moment rekindled memories of 2009, when she struggled to find quality handmade sweaters for her baby. The sight of her mother’s socks reminded her of the market gap for handmade winter wear — a gap she first noticed when she was a new mom balancing a demanding career and a young child.
In an exclusive interview with TNR, Kanchan shared that her journey began in the winter of 2015. She started by sharing hand-knitted baby set designs on Facebook, quickly gaining 5,000 likes and 300 prepaid orders.
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As the first woman in her family to pursue a corporate career and entrepreneurship, Kanchan founded The Original Knit (TOK) in Gurugram. Her startup sells handmade woolen wear for babies and toddlers while empowering village women by providing them livelihoods. Inspired by her childhood memories, Kanchan connected with women in remote Himachal Pradesh, encouraging them to turn their knitting hobby into a source of income.
She registered her company in Gurugram in 2017 as a proprietorship firm, TOK has since evolved into a private limited company by 2022, reflecting its tremendous growth. Kanchan has built a strong network of women across Delhi, Punjab, Haryana , Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh to meet the growing demand.
Her business operates on a hub-and-spoke model: designers create patterns and distribute them via WhatsApp along with needle sets and wool, allowing women to produce high-quality hand-knitted products from home. With 95% of her workforce being women, Kanchan’s start-up is dedicated to empowering women from small towns and providing them with financial independence.
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The Original Knit offers over 500 styles of baby apparel, all 100% handmade with the softest yarn available in India. These products are sold on their own website www.theoriginalknit.com, Firstcry, Myntra, Amazon, Flipkart and select retail outlets.
TOK recently introduced DIY knitting and crochet kits, which have become a hit among various age groups, from teenagers to adults, by encouraging creativity, relaxation, and skill-building.
These kits are designed to reduce screen time while promoting mental well-being, attracting college students, office workers, and older adults alike. Looking ahead, TOK also conducts corporate workshops where craft enthusiasts can learn and connect.
With a commitment to preserving traditional crafts while catering to modern needs, The Original Knit is poised to make a lasting impact on both the craft community and consumers. This innovative approach not only revitalises traditional craftsmanship but also introduces it to new generations, ensuring that these skills are passed down and cherished for years to come.
Reflecting on her success, Kanchan says, “Handmade carry an emotional bond. In our busy lives, people often lack the time to knit, but our products offer that same warmth and personal touch.”
