The sustainable products market is expanding more and more as younger generations become aware of the impact of climate change and adopt sustainable lifestyles. Gayatri Varun, the Founder & CEO of Green Hermitage, is a woman entrepreneur who has made significant contributions to this sector and continues to do so. Gayatri has more than 9 years of experience in the field of climate change and sustainable development and holds degrees in law and M.Sc in Climate Change & Sustainable Development. She has worked in the social impact sector, and also managed climate change campaigns throughout India. Through Green Hermitage, she hopes to change consumer ideology and purchasing habits towards more ethical products. Below are some interview snippets where we can learn more about her and her brand.

Tell us about your early education and any prior work experience you have in the business.

As a child I travelled a lot, and went on to live in different countries well into my adulthood. From the Middle East to Africa, I was fortunate enough that my travels and exposure led to understanding and appreciating different perspectives. After completing my law degree from Symbiosis Law School, Pune, I went on to work in corporates. Shortly after completing a few years in the corporate space, I decided to change lanes and got interested in the climate change sector. I had no experience in the sector so I started out as an intern and worked extensively with vulnerable populations. I learned how climate focused projects could also create economic incentives for marginalized communities. The sum of my learnings during this time changed my perspective on life and further motivated me to contribute to people and our planet.

What led you to establish Green Hermitage? Tell us about the business's core principles and some of its most distinctive qualities.

Development aid is mostly focused on remote areas, while there are no notable efforts in the urban consumption space and I wanted urban consumers to switch to a more sustainable consumption model. After quitting my full-time job in the corporate sector, talking things through with my partner and extensive research, we founded Green Hermitage during the pandemic. To create a complete ecosystem, we source some of our materials from indigenous communities, work on handcrafted products made by community-based artisans, give a platform to young and promising designers, and support various animal welfare efforts in the process in India and use plant-based materials to ensure sustainability.

Tell us about your responsibilities at Green Hermitage. What is your primary focus to lead the company’s growth journey?

My responsibilities include everything! From ensuring that our materials are sustainably grown and produced, streamlining processes, ensuring sustainable supply chain, offline events participation, hiring people who prioritize creating change, and expanding into online marketplaces. My primary focus areas for leading the company's growth journey are ensuring sustainability each step of the way, customer centric products, adding value to each member of the team, and product accessibility.

Tell us about the challenges you faced in your current role & how did you overcome them.

As a female entrepreneur, I have faced several obstacles in my leadership journey with gender bias being one of the biggest hurdles. It has made it difficult to secure funding and establish professional relationships with vendors. I have struggled with access to capital, as my credit score and financial resources are often lower than my male counterparts. Balancing the demands of work and family has also been a challenge. The only way to overcome this issue is by remaining consistent and confident that you can surpass them. The idea is to focus on your business and learning curve so much that your sales figures, and knowledge in the business domain will pave the way for you in the industry no matter the person in front of you.

"My primary focus areas for leading the company's growth journey are sustainability at each step, customer experience, adding value to the team, & product accessibility"

Tell us about some of the key milestones you have achieved throughout your professional journey. What has been your success mantra?

As an in-house legal counsel for an FMCG company, I gained insight into how companies operate, but also realized that their primary goal is profit rather than contributing to society and the natural environment. This was unsettling for me. I believe success means being courageous and making a positive impact on society and the environment. My first successful step was leaving my corporate job and moving to Africa to intern in the environmental sector, followed by working with GIZ (German Agency for International Cooperation) and the Parliamentary Forum on Climate Change in Uganda. After returning to India, I worked on several environmental projects and campaigns, and while these projects were effective in their own way, I realized the need to start an enterprise that could make a real impact on urban consumption. This led me to establish Green Hermitage, which is not only a brand but a complete ecosystem focusing on social impact, environmental sustainability, and economic empowerment. For me, success is all about enabling growth for those around me, promoting environmental sustainability in every action of our daily lives, and simply being happy!

What guidance would you give to prospective women business leaders, based on your experience?

Women often underestimate their own capabilities until they immerse themselves in building something from scratch. It is only when we are able to move heavy boxes, negotiate with vendors from diverse backgrounds, and outsmart those who try to cheat us that we realize our full potential. We are not just women or women entrepreneurs, but an army within ourselves. While we do need organizational structures and people to support us, we are more than capable of conquering the world on our own.

Gayatri Varun, Founder & CEO, Green Hermitage

Gayatri Varun Has An Experience Of Over 9 Years Working In The Climate Change And Sustainable Development Space. She Studied Law And Completed Her Msc In Climate Change And Sustainable Development And Has Ever Since Worked In The Social Impact Sector And Also In The Climate Change Space Pan India. Through Green Hermitage, She Aims To Create A Change In Consumer Ideology And Purchasing Patterns To More Sustainable Products.