Savvys Store

Learning outcomes Case overview/synopsis Savvys Store was a sustainable footwear brand founded by Savithri Nair in 2021. The brand crafted interchangeable footwear uppers and detachable patches with vibrant designs from discarded cloth fabric and leather scraps. The company sourced raw material for the product, including discarded cloth fabrics and leather pieces from the local weavers and suppliers, and employed local artisans for the production process, eventually supporting the local economy and the overarching goal of environmental sustainability. Savvys Store represented a distinctive approach to design and customisation. Fast-forward to 2024, Savvys augmented its product line and planned to expand its business and reach in the future. However, the unorganised and cluttered footwear market of India presented business challenges for the brand. The challenges stemmed from finding the balance between sustainability and artisanal quality while attracting investment and scaling the footwear business. The case study focuses on the struggles and challenges of a naive sexagenarian entrepreneur in establishing her footwear brand, Savvys Store, and scaling the business forward. Complexity academic level This case is designed for graduate and undergraduate students. Supplementary material Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.