At Brilliant Read Media, it is our constant endeavour to identify and share some of the unique and compelling stories from the startup ecosystem. As part of this, we invited Sweta Bhattacharjee for an interview with Brilliant Read Media. To say further, Sweta is an Entrepreneur and Founder at Swerav. Let’s learn more about her background, inspiring journey so far and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Sweta:
Could you talk us through your background and your journey?
I was born into a Bengali middle-class family where, from a very young age, I was never made to feel different because I was a girl. I was raised exactly like my cousin brothers — whether in education, sports, or general upbringing. My parents never imposed limitations on me or suggested that there were things I could not do because of my gender. That environment shaped my mindset early: I grew up believing that whatever others could do, I could do as well.
From childhood, whenever people spoke about careers or the future, I always saw myself in business. No one in my family was an entrepreneur — everyone had conventional jobs — yet I was naturally drawn to the idea of building something of my own. I have always valued independence and creative freedom, and I knew that if I ever earned money, it would be through entrepreneurship.
After completing my B.Sc., I hoped to pursue opportunities outside West Bengal for greater exposure, but that did not materialize. Around the same time, during the COVID period, my family faced a severe financial crisis. I had no luxury of waiting or long-term planning — I simply had to act.
One of my long-standing interests was online shopping. I spent countless hours browsing products and understanding markets. That’s when I realized I could transform this interest into a business opportunity.
I enrolled in a structured six-month program to learn the fundamentals of online business, from operations to legal frameworks. During the course itself, I launched my venture by selling products on Amazon.
What began with just a few products gradually expanded. Today, my company operates its own manufacturing unit, offering over 400–500 products across multiple categories. We primarily work in the handicraft industry, producing a wide range of customized and design-driven products.
From a relatively unknown starting point, we have grown into a recognized name within our industry — and I truly believe this is only the beginning.
‘SWERAV’ is such a unique name. Tell us more about it and the problem you are solving.
SWERAV is derived from two words: Sweta (my name) and Gaurav (meaning pride). Together, the name represents “Sweta’s Pride.” My company is not just a business to me — it is something I have nurtured with deep emotional connection and commitment. Just as a mother feels pride in her child’s growth, I feel the same pride in SWERAV.
In an industry where many businesses rely on generic naming conventions, I consciously chose a distinctive identity. I wanted the brand to stand on its own, remembered simply as SWERAV. That uniqueness has helped us establish a memorable presence.
Initially, SWERAV focused on reselling through platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, and IndiaMART. Over time, we transitioned into manufacturing our own products. Today, we work extensively with five-star hotels and resellers, creating customized products across diverse materials such as wood, resin, mother of pearl, MDF, horn, bone, marble, shell, acrylic, and jute. We are also expanding into furniture manufacturing as part of our long-term growth vision.
While we currently serve large clients and businesses, our ultimate goal is to see SWERAV products reach individual homes — becoming a household name associated with creativity, quality, and trust.
What differentiates your work from others in your field?
Our differentiation lies not just in manufacturing, but in managing the entire ecosystem — from product creation to positioning, communication, logistics, and client relationships.
We combine respect for traditional craftsmanship with structured business thinking, transparency, and strong communication. Integrity is at the heart of everything we do, which strengthens client trust and long-term partnerships.
Despite challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
My journey has been filled with challenges, many of which stemmed from entering an industry completely outside my academic background. As a bioscience student, manufacturing — especially working with wood and materials — was entirely new to me.
However, I have always embraced learning. I believe every individual has something valuable to teach, regardless of their role or background. That openness helped me grow quickly.
Like any entrepreneurial journey, I faced financial losses, difficult experiences, and moments of uncertainty. Yet I never considered giving up. My approach has always been to remain calm, solve problems, and move forward. Most importantly, I genuinely love what I do. That passion naturally sustains resilience.
Family support and encouragement from a few key individuals also played a crucial role in helping me stay grounded and determined.
How do you define leadership in today’s evolving world?
Leadership, for me, is not about authority or position. It is about creating alignment, trust, and shared progress. A true leader is someone people genuinely want to follow — someone who listens, supports, and grows with the team.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned?
1) Believe in yourself completely. Self-belief is the foundation of every achievement.
2) Choose work you genuinely enjoy. Passion transforms challenges into opportunities.
3) Never compromise on integrity. Honesty and principles are non-negotiable.
These three beliefs guide everything I do.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
For me, success rests on four pillars:
Passion – A strong inner drive to build something meaningful.
Belief – Confidence that your goals are achievable.
Execution – Turning ideas into action consistently.
What advice would you give students and young professionals?
My core advice is simple: choose a profession that genuinely excites and fulfils you. Careers built purely on external pressure rarely lead to long-term satisfaction.
Everyone deserves the space to explore their interests and build a path aligned with their strengths and aspirations. True success is waking up motivated to do your work — not feeling obligated to endure it.
What makes your journey satisfying and exciting?
My greatest satisfaction comes from growth — both personal and professional. This journey helped me discover my identity, my strengths, and my confidence.
Beyond business achievements, my true fulfillment comes from seeing people around me grow alongside the company. Creating an environment where individuals feel valued, motivated, and happy is deeply meaningful to me.
What legacy do you hope your work creates?
We aim to modernize traditional manufacturing by integrating technology with craftsmanship. Rather than replacing tradition, we seek to enhance it — building structured, efficient, and future-ready systems.
Our long-term vision is to contribute to a meaningful transformation in how manufacturing operates within our sector.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
