I'm excited to share the story of Shoptiques and my journey as its founder.

In 2015, we initially focused on hyperlocal fashion, but learned that fulfillment is crucial, leading us to pivot towards a marketplace model that better serves small shop owners.

Shoptiques allows you to shop the world's most unique boutiques online, making it easier to discover amazing products without needing to travel.

Talking to other female founders was one of the most helpful things I did while learning on the job.

Be honest with yourself about the kind of business you want to build. I aimed to create a multi-billion dollar business with Shoptiques. Don't go raise money from capital firms that need a high return and an exit in five to ten years.

We realized that many women in Gujarat were successfully running boutiques on WhatsApp, which inspired us to build a platform that empowers anyone in India to start their own shop.

I got to know my customers very well, which helped me understand that photography was key for unlocking the marketplace.

Shopify's founder, Toby, initially wanted to start a snowboard store but pivoted to creating a software company when he saw a lack of tools available.

Surround yourself with people who have lived through the challenges of building a marketplace; their experience is invaluable.