SHILLONG, Feb 16: In a small village in Ri-Bhoi, where traditional handloom weaving has been practiced for generations, a single mother of four quietly built a business that would one day reach a national stage. Iaishah Rymbai, a school teacher and the founder of ‘Eri Weave’ didn’t have a background in business, nor did she have any formal training in entrepreneurship. What she had was determination, a deep-rooted connection to her craft, and an unyielding desire to provide for her daughters.
What started as a means to support her family eventually grew into ‘Eri Weave’, a brand dedicated to preserving indigenous craftsmanship through sustainable silk production. In 2024, her journey took a remarkable turn when she and her daughter, Lebaini Rymbai, stepped onto the stage of Shark Tank India, seeking 20 lakh for 12% equity in their business, and they got not only that, but this small brand is now recognised all across, and since the airing of the show they have received around 60,000 orders, so far, shared Iaishah Rymbai, in a conversation with The Shillong Times.
But the road to that stage was anything but easy.
Iaishah got married at the age of 20 but soon found herself in a difficult situation. “It was a bad marriage, and I got divorced,” she shared during her pitch. Left to raise her four daughters alone, she focused on providing them with a good education while working as a teacher.
Managing both family and work was challenging, but she ensured discipline at home. “We have an ‘army rule’ at home,” she laughed. “Even when I wasn’t there, my daughters knew their responsibilities.”
In 2019, she decided to take her passion for weaving Eri silk, something that she knew was practiced across generations, and turn it into something bigger. “At first, it was just a way to make ends meet,” she said. But soon, it became much more.
Rymbai had always been fascinated by Shark Tank India and wanted to be part of it. She applied in 2023 but wasn’t selected. Undeterred, she tried again in 2024 and made it through the initial rounds. “The process was long. First, there was an online form. Then, we had to send a video of our pitch. After that, we submitted documents. Finally, we had to go to Mumbai for an offline audition,” she said.
Even after the audition, the wait continued. “Two weeks later, we got a call saying we had been selected for the final round,” she added.
Before stepping onto the stage, they had to choose what to wear. “We tried a few outfits, but nothing felt right,” she said. It was the show’s team that suggested they wear the traditional dhara.
“It wasn’t just about looking good, it felt like us,” she said. “When we wore it, we felt comfortable, like we were representing who we truly are.”
This was their first time in front of such a big audience, and they were nervous. But the Shark Tank team helped them prepare. “They guided us on how to pitch and express ourselves,” she said. During their pitch, one of the investors, Namita Thapar, spoke about the rise of women entrepreneurs. That moment made Iaishah emotional. “I reflected on my journey, from struggling as a single mother in a small village to standing on such a big platform,” she said.
One of the judges, Vinita Singh of Sugar Cosmetics, even offered to help them with advice and contacts, showing support beyond the investment they secured.
Life changed quickly after the episode aired. “We were told to prepare because once it airs, people will start buying,” she said. They worked on their website, listed products on Amazon, and ensured they were ready.
And then, the orders started pouring in. “In just three days, we have gotten orders for around 60,000 pieces. We even ran out of stock,” she shared.
The impact wasn’t just on sales. It boosted the morale of their team, which includes 12 full-time artisans and around 20 part-time spinners. “The night the episode aired, we all gathered to watch it together,” she said. “They were so happy because this success benefits them too.”
Iaishah’s journey didn’t follow the conventional path of early entrepreneurship. She started learning business in her 40s. “If I had started earlier, maybe things would have been different. But opportunities don’t come with a fixed time,” she said.
Her message to aspiring entrepreneurs is clear: “It’s never too late to start. Once you have the desire, be determined. Step out of your comfort zone and keep working hard until you reach your goal.”
