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Founded in 2021 & based in India, Mei Traditional Fitness is a health and fitness online startup that conducts workshops in the practice of Meipadam & Karlakattai. Mei Traditional Fitness was founded by Priya Darshnee, originally from Tamil Nadu, and now based in Abu Dhabi. With a rich background in the IT sector, Priya moved to Abu Dhabi for work. However, after experiencing health issues such as numbness, blurred vision, balance, fatigue, nervousness, random pains all over the body, & many other lingering symptoms, possibly related to autoimmune symptoms, she began seeking natural, holistic solutions. That’s when she discovered Meipadam, an ancient Tamil practice focused on strength, mobility, and energy balance. After practicing it consistently, Priya experienced remarkable relief, her fatigue disappeared, & she became more active and energetic. Inspired by the transformation, she decided to share this knowledge with others & launched Mei Traditional Fitness as an online institute for traditional fitness & healing practices. However, the journey wasn’t easy. “At the time, very few people, even in India, knew about Meipadam and Karlakattai, which are traditional Indian forms of strength training,” Priya tells StartupG in an exclusive interview. But with determination & a dedicated marketing & sales team, Priya ran online campaigns and began offering free trial workshops to spread awareness. She became one of the first women to get certified in Meipadam & Karlakattai training. Over the past four years, Mei Traditional Fitness has introduced this practice to over 4,000 people across the world, offering both live & recorded sessions. “After completing this phase, learners can gradually transition into Karlakattai training,” Priya explains. “Mei has helped transform the health of numerous people, & that is what gives me & my team true contentment,” she adds. Apart from reviving traditional Tamil fitness, the brand has seen consistent year-on-year growth in its revenue. Website - https://meiancientfitness.com/

They called the Desert Rose too exotic, too delicate, not worth the risk. But Jalandhar, a farmer from Eesanam Kuppam village in Tamil Nadu, saw something different — beauty, potential, and a future. Back in 1986, he took a leap of faith. While growing plants for decades, it was the Adenium obesum (Desert Rose) that changed everything. He travelled from Mumbai to Thailand, Taiwan, and Vietnam, learning the art of grafting and hybridisation. With that knowledge, he turned a once-dismissed plant into the heart of a blooming Rs 60 lakh business. Today, his 15-acre farm houses 450+ varieties of Desert Rose, some sold as low as Rs 150, while rare pieces with thick roots are priced up to Rs 12 lakh! These low-maintenance plants need just sunlight and water twice a week — no fertiliser, no fuss — making them a dream for plant lovers. Jalandhar has shipped thousands of these beauties across India and abroad — to Dubai, Jamaica, Mauritius, and more. In fact, in 2015, he exported 1 lakh plants to Dubai alone! Even without online sales now (to avoid fraud), his farm continues to attract plant enthusiasts, collectors, and buyers from around the world. Recognised by the Tamil Nadu Horticulture Department, he received a subsidy of ₹10.65 lakh for infrastructure under the National Agricultural Development Scheme. And he's not done yet — his dream is to open the farm to visitors and inspire others with his journey. From a simple plant to global exports, his story proves that with passion and patience, anything is possible. #desertrose #flowers #flowerbusiness #startupg #StartupStory #indianfarmer #tamilnadu #floriculture #inspiringstories #horticulture #exportbusiness #growwithlove

Meet Meghna Khanna, a creative trailblazer from Bengaluru who saw a small accessory with big potential—and turned it into a statement brand. 🙌 The humble bindi: for many, just a dot, a tradition, something worn without much thought. But Meghna wondered — why can’t it be expressive? Why can’t it be art, heritage, and fashion rolled into one? That question led to The Bindi Project, founded in December 2022. Here’s what makes the journey so special: Meghna bootstrapped the brand with just ₹5 lakh, and today the label has clocked ₹20 lakh in revenue. The designs are artisanal, handcrafted, and built for reuse—not one-time wear. Each piece carries a vibe of tradition but plays with modernity. Her creations are now worn by Bollywood icons like Kajol, Kareena Kapoor, and Tamannaah Bhatia. Yes, they’re that statement. Meghna works with talented artisans and even gives work to single mothers, ensuring each piece is made with skill, care, and purpose. What starts as “just a bindi” becomes so much more: A powerful accessory. A conversation starter. A way to wear culture, not just cloth. Whether paired with a saree, a lehenga, or even jeans—these bindis are made to stand out and stay meaningful. If you believe that fashion can be rich in story, design, and impact, this is a brand to watch. Swipe through the images, tag a friend who loves unique accessories, and let’s celebrate the kind of creativity that doesn’t just follow the trend—it creates it. #startupg #bindi #thebindiproject #womenentrepeneur #statementjewellery