Kimi and Rica Jain are truly astute and socially aware women entrepreneurs who had the guts to say ‘no’ to harmful chemicals and create the ultimate luxurious experience with safe, effective ingredients that are ethically and sustainably sourced. They co-founded Kimirica along with Mohit Jain, and Rajat Jain – today the Indore-based start-up Kimirica Hunter is India’s largest manufacturer of hotel amenities and supplies to over 1500 hotels like Marriott, Hyatt, Westin, Sheraton, Hilton, and Novotel in 22+ countries. The brand’s name was coined after co-sisters (sisters turned co-founders) Kimi Jain and Rica Jain.
What’s extremely interesting is that KIMIRICA is the core innovator, formulator, and manufacturer of everything they create. Co-founder and head of brand experience, Kimi Jain leverages her passion for storytelling to bring the brand’s concept of a story in every bottle to life. From design to concept, Kimi personally pays close attention to the details and plays a pivotal role to ensure that every product tells a story, whether it may be to offer an escape, ignite some romance, or revive a fond memory.
Rica Jain shares, “Kimirica’s overarching goal is to put good into the world, not only through our products but also through the lives of everyone who works with us. Kimirica is proud to say that women contribute to over 50% of our entire workforce. From founders to the factory floor, from finances to research and development, we believe in empowering women in the workplace.” As the head of quality assurance, Rica sets a Kimirica benchmark with every decision that she makes.
When Kimirica Ventures decided to expand its presence by stepping into the retail segment with Kimirica Lifestyle, Kimi Jain stepped in to take up the tough job of optimizing the user experience to make it seamless. With a vast global reach, Kimirica Lifestyle has strengthened its retail presence with 40+ outlets in India and boosted its online presence at prominent marketplaces like Amazon, Nykaa, Myntra, and Flipkart.
Kimirica’s partnership with globally acclaimed star Kiara Advani aims to create awareness around how self-care is a way to shower yourself with love – something we could all do a little more of. No wonder, Kimi and Rica are ‘TheGlitz Super Women’. Read on to know more about TheGlitz ‘Super Women’ Rica and Kimi Jain.
RICA JAIN – Co-founder and Head of Quality Assurance, System and Process Optimization, KIMIRICA
Your journey has had many momentous milestones. Could you tell TheGlitz.Media about your life-changing journey that has moulded you into what you are today?
For me, the biggest turning point was a defining moment that changed my life. I have always been the type of person to say “yes” to life and all of its ups and downs. However, that all changed when I realized just how many harmful chemicals and animal by-products were present in the self-care products we use every day. This was something I was compelled to say ‘no’ to and it was at this moment that I knew that I had to take action.
This moment of realization became the cornerstone of our company’s founding ethos. We made a commitment to use only safe, premium, plant-based, and cruelty-free ingredients in our products. I firmly believed that we could do better for ourselves and for the world we live in. This decision was not just a business strategy; it was a reflection of our values and our passion for creating products that are healthy, sustainable, and ethical.
Since that life-changing moment, we have been dedicated to developing high-quality, safe, and eco-friendly self-care products that people can feel good about using. Our company is driven by a deep sense of purpose, and we are committed to creating a positive impact in the world. We believe that by saying “no” to harmful ingredients and practices, we can pave the way for a brighter and more sustainable future.
Could you list 3 of your major achievements?
For many people, winning awards and recording sales might be the biggest achievements for them but for us, the positive difference we have made is our biggest achievement. While most brands depend on external resources for their R&D, we decided to take a path that many wouldn’t dare. We became the core innovator, formulators, and manufacturers of everything we create. That means there’s no intermediary or far-off factory we pay to make our products.
We turn our ideas into reality in our labs and manufacturing plants, in India itself. As founder-manufacturers we are connected to the human side of the business, we know our workers, and we are a real community. We have been encouraging our employees to follow their interests and develop their skills because it’s more fulfilling for everyone involved. At the manufacturing unit where a majority of the workforce comprises women, we have helped several women work their way from menial positions to lab assistants.
What are the setbacks you have faced? How did you tackle these setbacks or challenges? And what lesson have you learned from it?
Eight years ago, we underwent our first plant audit for the rigorous ISO 22716 standard in the cosmetics industry, which was a requirement of our esteemed client. At that time, we didn’t have a large team to set up all the necessary processes and had to do a significant amount of paperwork. With only one team member, we worked long hours at the factory and home, even with two young children. I barely slept for three to four hours a day, working late into the night and early in the morning.
Despite these challenges, we were able to obtain the compliance certificate for the entire plant in a short amount of time. This experience reinforced my belief that hard work, focus, and dedication can make even the most difficult tasks easier, and nothing is impossible.
When you look back, what are the three qualities in you that have helped you become what you are today?
I would say continuous improvement, optimism, purpose, and passion have been the qualities that I treasure the most. Continuous improvement and learning new methods have been the foundation of our successful developments. I believe in being optimistic and overcoming challenges, no matter how big or small they may be. Whether it’s dealing with machine breakdowns or facing an industry crisis like COVID, I always strive to find a solution without losing hope. Our purpose and passion are what drives us to keep moving forward and stay motivated toward achieving our goals.
Who are the people who have been the wind behind your wings?
The four of us, Kimi, Mohit, Rajat, and I have learned a lot together. We are each other’s backbones. But Kimi has always gone beyond just being a co-founder, she gave me a listening ear when I needed one, and pushed me to take risks and try new things. Her belief in my abilities and her support and encouragement have been powerful motivators that have helped me to soar to new heights and achieve my dreams. It goes without saying that we always have each other’s backs.
If there was a quote to define you, what would it be?
I’m stronger because I had to be. I’m smarter because of my mistakes. I’m happier because I have overcome the sadness I’ve known, and I’m wiser because I have learned from my life.
KIMI JAIN – Co-founder, Head of brand experience, KIMIRICA
Your journey has had many momentous milestones. Could you tell us about your life-changing journey that has moulded you into what you are today?
For me, a significant aspect of my personal journey has been the satisfaction and growth that comes from engaging in something I feel passionate about. I’ve always been a creative person who needs an outlet to express my creativity and channeling my creative impulses to serve our customers and create safe, enjoyable products have been an incredibly fulfilling experience. It has taught me a lot about myself and led to a lot of personal growth.
Seeing my ideas come to life and bring joy to our customers has been an incredible experience. It has made me grow as a person and challenged me to strive for even greater excellence. Every time we create a new product or improve an existing one, I am driven to ask myself: how can we do it even better? This constant pursuit of excellence is what motivates me and drives me forward in both my personal and professional life.
Through my work, I have come to appreciate the power of creativity and its ability to bring about positive change in the world. By channeling my creative energies toward creating products that are safe, enjoyable, and sustainable, I feel that I am making a meaningful contribution to the world. This sense of purpose and impact has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my journey so far.
Could you list 3 of your major achievements?
The positive difference we have made is our biggest achievement. We wanted to create a brand that is house proud. Our brand is Made-in-India from scratch. Be it R&D, innovation, or manufacturing, we do it all. We turn our ideas into reality in our labs and manufacturing plants. During the early stages only, we made a firm resolve to commit ourselves to uplifting women. Rica and I both have children & families, and we are a testament to what is possible when women are supported in their goals.
Today, women play a key role in every part of our business, from the founders to the factory floor, from finances to research and development and Kimirica is proud to say that women contribute to over 50% of our entire workforce, and that is an achievement for which I am truly proud.
When you look back, what are the three qualities in you that have helped you become what you are today?
Honesty, hard work, and positivity are three core values that have helped me tremendously. I firmly believe that hard work is the key to success and that putting in the effort is necessary even when faced with challenges and difficult decisions that demand long hours of dedication. I have always found that maintaining a positive outlook has been vital to my achievements. While I recognize that some obstacles are beyond my control, an optimistic approach has allowed me to identify solutions more quickly and with less stress, which has positively impacted my well-being, as well as that of my family and colleagues.
Honesty is another value that guides me in all aspects of my life. I am committed to making choices that prioritize the well-being of all stakeholders, including my employees and customers. To me, it is important to care for everyone in the same way I would care for my own family. This commitment to integrity ensures that I can rest easy at night knowing that I have acted in everyone’s best interests.
Who are the people who have been the wind behind your wings?
The four of us Rica, Rajat, Mohit, and I have been each other’s support system. We started our journey of building KIMIRICA from scratch, we have grown together, and we have learned together. But, Rica has been my biggest source of emotional support, encouragement, and inspiration. She has used her wisdom to guide me, being a confidante and someone I can rely on. Strong women build each other up and Rica has been that for me.
If there was a quote to define you, what would it be?
I resonate with this famous quote by Eleanor Roosevelt: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
As a woman entrepreneur, it is essential to hold onto your dreams and persevere through challenges to make them a reality. Our beliefs in our potential and the power of our dreams can shape our future. With dedication and determination, we can overcome obstacles and achieve our goals.
