Silai Machine is your one-stop shop for stunning fashion and home goods at pocket-friendly prices. We are huge fans of traditional printing and weaving techniques used by artisans in India, and hope to bring these unique textiles and products into your life at rates that won’t break the bank. We hope you’ll find something you love, and come back for more!
How It Happened
Silai Machine was a dream that came to life during the most unexpected event in recent history – the worldwide pandemic and ensuing lockdowns. For Komal Modi and her husband Ayush Agarwal, the uncertainty and turmoil of this time ended up being the deciding factor in launching their own business sooner rather than later.
Both had always dreamed of being entrepreneurs, but had been putting off the dream in favour of the security and stability provided by Ayush’s job in the hotel industry. Once COVID-19 hit the nation, however, they realised that nothing could really be certain about the future, and now was as good a time as any. Added to this was the constant worry about their parents being alone during the lockdown, at almost the opposite end of the country.
Coupled with the desire to be with family was the fact that everyone they knew wholeheartedly supported their idea of launching a store with premium products at non-premium prices. The growing dependence on e-commerce during the nationwide lockdown also meant that launching a website for their store would allow more people to access their products without leaving home.
All these factors combined to provide the push that Komal and Ayush needed. After carefully sourcing their inaugural collection over the next few weeks, they packed up and headed to Lucknow to begin the next step in their entrepreneurial journey. On the 9th of August, 2021, they launched their flagship store in the city, and the hugely positive response has only reaffirmed their belief that every dream can come true as long as you try!
Who We Are
We’re a small family business operating out of Lucknow, which is fondly called the ‘City of Nawabs’ or the ‘City of Tehzeeb’ by its inhabitants. Headed by Komal Modi with help from her husband Ayush Agarwal and other members of the family, our team is close-knit and works as a unit to keep everything running smoothly.
Komal Modi
Originally hailing from the small town of Basti in Uttar Pradesh, Komal Modi always dreamed of doing something big in her life. She graduated with a B.A. and M.A. in History and then left Basti for the big city of Delhi, to prepare for the Indian Administrative Service (I.A.S.) examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (U.P.S.C.).
Along the line, Komal also completed her B.Ed. and started teaching, but had to take a break from professional and educational pursuits when marriage and motherhood came into the picture. While her husband and young son provided her personal fulfilment, she still wanted to do more and explore her full potential. She had always believed that everyone should do something with their lives, and not let anything stand in the way of achieving their dreams.
One such dream was Silai Machine, a store where people could obtain the best of traditional Indian handloom weaves and textiles at affordable prices. Today, with the heartfelt support of her husband and family, she can finally see that dream becoming a reality.
Komal is creative, confident and perhaps most importantly, driven by the desire to make a difference. In her words, “When you come into this world, you should not leave it without giving something back”. This philosophy is amply reflected in her huge heart and generosity of spirit, and she hopes to brighten more lives through her new venture.
Ayush Agarwal
Originally from the city of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, Ayush moved to Kolkata to pursue a degree in hotel management. He started his career with IHHR Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., and later worked with hotels like Ista, Ananda in the Himalayas, Lemon Tree, Red Fox, OYO Townhouse & Flagship, and Ginger Hotels.
A tenure of 13 years in the industry saw him posted all over the country, but like Komal, he always wanted to move back home and pursue something that challenged his creativity. This moment came when he was working as a Hotel Manager at Ginger Hotels in Vadodara. The sense of uncertainty created by lockdowns during the pandemic pushed him to fast-forward the leap into entrepreneurship rather than putting it off for later.
Ayush is innovative, creative and focused, with a keen desire to keep learning and growing. With over a decade of experience in managing hotels, he is used to dealing with a variety of challenges and brings a unique skill set to the table. He is also passionate about the traditional textiles of India, and wants to make them accessible to every household. In addition, Komal’s positive attitude, spirit and confidence provide a constant source of inspiration, encouraging him to aim higher every day.
With Silai Machine, Komal and Ayush are finally pursuing their dream together. Through this venture, they hope to keep pushing their own limits and redefining what is possible as long as you believe in yourself.
What We Offer
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