At BrilliantRead Media, we always strive to bring meaningful and powerful stories from India and around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. As part of this endeavour, we invited Richa Kapila for an exclusive interview with us. Richa is an Entrepreneur, Public Speaker, Co-Founder and Creative Director at D’chica. Let’s learn more about her background, journey and her advice for our community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Richa:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
My journey into entrepreneurship started with a deep-rooted passion for product development and branding. I co-founded D’chica alongside Vani Chugh with a vision to create a brand that empowers young girls and women by providing comfortable, stylish, and high-quality innerwear.
D’chica started as a niche brand focused on innerwear for young girls but soon evolved into a category leader, particularly in the teen innerwear space. Our brand’s core lies in understanding the needs of young girls and addressing them with thoughtfully designed products—be it beginner bras, sustainable period care solutions, or everyday comfort essentials.
We’ve also had the incredible opportunity to pitch on Shark Tank India, which gave us a platform to amplify our reach and reinforce our brand’s commitment to quality, affordability, and innovation.
My journey hasn’t been without challenges, especially as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated industry, but each challenge has been a stepping stone towards growth.
How did you discover your passion?
My passion for entrepreneurship was a mix of instinct and experience. I’ve always had an eye for product innovation, and the retail landscape fascinated me. When I started working on product development, I saw the impact of building products that truly serve a need.
My transition to womanhood as a teenager struck me hard—it was overwhelming, confusing, and full of societal taboos that made open conversations about periods, body changes, and innerwear feel almost forbidden. As I grew older and became a young mother, I started thinking about the world my children would be raised in.
It made me realize that while I couldn’t change everything, I could create a conscious step toward sustainability in the industry I was a part of. That’s what led me to develop a sustainable period care range, ensuring that young girls and women had access to reusable, comfortable, and eco-friendly alternatives.
D’chica was never just about selling products—it became a brand with a mission to educate and empower young girls about body positivity, sustainability, and comfort. Seeing our products make a difference in their lives cemented my passion for this journey.
Who do you believe has been the biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
My biggest source of motivation has always been my family and my team. My co-founder, Vani, and I constantly push each other to break new ground. Being a mother also plays a huge role in my drive—I want to build something that not only benefits my children but also inspires young girls to dream big.
I also draw motivation from our customers—the young girls who send us messages about how D’chica made them feel more confident and comfortable. Their feedback, along with the challenges of growing a business, keeps me going every day.
What are some of the strategies that you believe have helped you grow as a person?
Resilience & Adaptability – Entrepreneurship is unpredictable, and being able to pivot, learn from failures, and stay persistent has been crucial.
Building a Strong Network – I actively seek out conversations with fellow entrepreneurs, mentors, and industry experts to learn and grow.
Focusing on Health & Discipline – Fitness has been a game-changer for me. My daily workouts are not just about physical health but also about maintaining mental resilience and composure.
Content Creation & Storytelling – As a founder, I believe that content creation is non-negotiable. Sharing our journey authentically through social media has helped in brand-building and connecting with our audience.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
a) Clarity of Vision – Having a well-defined goal and staying aligned with it despite market shifts is key.
b) Consistency & Grit – Success doesn’t happen overnight; it requires showing up every day, even when things are tough.
c) Listening to Customers – Understanding their needs and continuously innovating to solve their problems has been at the heart of D’chica’s growth.
d) Embracing Failures – Every setback is a learning opportunity. The ability to analyze failures and move forward is what separates successful entrepreneurs from the rest.
What advice would you give to our readers?
If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, start before you feel ready. No amount of planning can fully prepare you for the journey ahead, but action leads to clarity.
Always take the number-driven path but in the right direction. For us, marketplaces have always been a numbers-driven game, helping us scale and reach more customers. However, nothing gives you more happiness and validation than building your own community and strengthening your brand through your website. A strong brand is built on relationships, trust, and a sense of belonging—not just transactions.
Focus on building a business with a strong purpose—something that solves a real problem. Stay authentic in your journey, invest in content creation and storytelling, and never shy away from seeking mentorship or collaborations.
And most importantly, prioritize your well-being. A strong business needs a strong founder, and taking care of your physical and mental health is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.
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.
