Tanvi Somaiya, is the co-founder of The Bear House, a Bangalore-based men’s apparel brand that is looking to redefine smart work casuals for the modern Indian man. She has carved a space for herself in the traditionally male-dominated men’s fashion industry—all while being a mother to twin newborns.
The Bear House, founded in 2018 by Somaiya and her husband, Harsh Somaiya, has established itself as a player in India’s fashion market, catering to professionals who seek a blend of polished style and casual comfort. The brand has a projected revenue of Rs. 220 crores for FY 2024-25 and plans for retail expansion in metro cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Mumbai.
· Breaking Gender Norms in Fashion: As a woman in the men’s fashion industry, she has brought a unique perspective to the design and development of The Bear House’s product lines. Her fresh approach to creating versatile, globally inspired styles has resonated with the Indian market, setting the brand apart in a highly competitive space.
· Juggling Motherhood and Leadership: She built a thriving business while raising twin newborns. She had to balance entrepreneurship and family responsibilities.
· Creating a Distinct Identity: From curating smart work casuals to keeping pace with evolving trends, she has led the brand’s transition from manufacturing for international labels like Zara and Marks & Spencer to creating its own signature identity.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day that was celebrated this month MediaNews4U.com caught up with Tanvi Somaiya co-founder of The Bear House
Q. You carved a space for yourself in the traditionally male-dominated men’s fashion industry. What were the challenges faced?
As a woman in a traditionally male-dominated space, gaining respect and recognition can be challenging. There may be biases or doubts about your ability to understand or design men’s fashion, and it can take extra effort to prove that your perspective is valuable and insightful. The hands-on experience and knowledge I gained at NIFT played a crucial role in shaping my skills. Coupled with my experience managing sampling for international brands, it gave me the confidence to start my own venture. In the beginning, many doubted whether I would ever succeed, but today, I have proven them wrong through my achievements.
Q. You did this while being a mother to twin newborns. How did you manage work-life balance? Is that still an issue?
In the early stages, finding that balance likely required a lot of planning, flexibility, and a strong support system. It’s about learning to prioritise and recognising when to push forward and when to take a step back. Managing a venture while caring for two newborns meant setting clear boundaries and making sure there was space for both work and family, even if it meant working odd hours and needing help with childcare.
My twins are four months old and they’re quite a handful, but I am trying to master the art of multitasking and switching in and out of my professional and personal roles. Of course, none of this is possible with the help and support that I get from my family. My husband and I are a team both when it comes to the business and to looking after our children.
Q. Do you and your husband split responsibilities evenly?
Harsh and I naturally balance each other out—we’ve fallen into roles that play to our strengths. I handle the design and marketing side, while he focuses on operations and strategy. There’s no strict division, but we trust each other to take the lead in our areas while always having each other’s back. It’s a true partnership, not just in business but in life.
Q. What is the one thing you now know that you wish you had known when you started the company?
One thing I wish I had known when I started my company is the importance of building a strong support network from the very beginning. While it’s tempting to try to do everything yourself, especially when you’re passionate and eager to prove yourself, having a reliable team or mentors to guide you makes a huge difference. They can help you navigate challenges more effectively.
In the early stages, I focussed so much on managing everything that I didn’t always reach out for the help or advice I needed. Now, I realise that fostering those relationships early on would have saved me time and potential setbacks. It’s not just about having a good team but also about finding people who genuinely support your vision and can contribute to it in meaningful ways.
Q. Is gender bias a big issue for female entrepreneurs when you have to secure funding? Did The Bear House face a funding challenge?
In the end, what truly matters is the product or service you’ve created. Is it addressing a real need or filling a gap in the market? Today, women are more empowered than ever.
They’re discovering their voices and realising they can make a significant impact. Female entrepreneurs are continuously evolving, educating themselves on areas like finance, money management, taxes, and more. The Bear House is still bootstrapped and has remained profitable ever since.
Q. Are we seeing a trend of husband-wife entrepreneurial teams finding more success like The Bear House, Mamaearth?
Yes, it seems that there is a growing trend of husband-wife entrepreneurial teams finding success, much like The Bear House and Mamaearth.
This dynamic often brings a unique advantage, as these teams tend to have a deep personal connection, strong mutual trust, and a shared vision for their business. The ability to communicate openly and make decisions together, while complementing each other’s skills, can create a strong foundation for growth.
Q. For an entrepreneur to succeed, does a product have to be 10X better than the alternative?
While having a product that’s 10X better than the alternatives can be a major advantage, it’s not always essential for success. What truly matters is solving a real problem, delivering a great customer experience, and ensuring market fit.
Timing, strong marketing, and continuous innovation also play key roles in driving success. A product doesn’t have to be drastically better; it just needs to offer clear value and resonate with customers.
Q. To succeed as a female entrepreneur, how important is reading?
Being aware about the sector you brand is in, about global and national events that directly impact business conditions in your country and tracking your contemporaries are all essential for every entrepreneur.
Reading enables me to make sensible, informed decisions that can impact my business positively. It’s a tool that can enhance both personal and professional growth, contributing to long-term success.
Q. Every category requires extensive R&D, in-depth manufacturing, and execution knowledge. How have you approached this over the years?
Over the years, I’ve approached R&D, manufacturing, and execution by focussing on a hands-on, iterative process. This involved understanding customer needs, working closely with suppliers and design teams, and continuously testing and improving products based on feedback. Building strong relationships with experts in various areas and staying updated on industry innovations allowed me to maintain high-quality standards and adapt effectively.
Additionally, I embraced a flexible mindset, allowing for quick adjustments when necessary and staying open to new ideas. This approach enabled me to stay ahead of market trends and consistently deliver products that met customer expectations.
Q. How important is personal growth for a female entrepreneur?
Non-negotiable! No growth, no glory! Every lesson you learn from a challenge faced or a victory won is invaluable.
Q. How is AI helping the company fine-tune every single process and improve them with solutions that help the brand, and the teams deliver seamlessly?
AI is enhancing our processes by streamlining operations and improving efficiency across the company. It helps analyse customer data, predict demand, and optimise the supply chain, allowing us to make better decisions and reduce manual tasks.
AI also enables personalised marketing and product recommendations, ensuring we deliver seamless customer experiences while empowering our teams to work more effectively.
AI cuts down on costs, saves time, and energy, making it the perfect solution for an organisation like ours. By automating tasks and optimising processes, it allows us to focus on growth and innovation while improving efficiency across the board.
