Jaipur Rugs prides itself on embracing an ideology of commerce with purpose, supporting artisans through their craft. Working alongside designers such as Pavitra Rajaram demonstrates this. Each weaver shows their individual creativity while being part of an artistic canvas.
Nand Kishore Chaudhary, the founder of Jaipur Rugs, started the brand with two looms and nine artisans in 1978. Today, Jaipur Rugs are an international enterprise employing over 40,000 rural artisans worldwide.
About Jaipur Rugs
Nand Kishore Chaudhary founded Jaipur Rugs with an unwavering dedication to exceptional craftsmanship and the wellbeing of weavers who produced them. NKC recognized that many weavers came from marginalized social backgrounds and weren’t being treated with dignity and respect – he believed vertical integration and associating directly with artisans could change this, providing weavers with a sense of autonomy while assuring timely supply of materials and remuneration on a monthly basis.
Jaipur Rugs has earned itself a worldwide reputation as one of the premier rug brands, working with over 40,000 artisans throughout India and beyond to craft designs in collaboration with both acclaimed local and international designers. Additionally, they provide customization options so that every piece can fit seamlessly into your home’s unique aesthetic and functional requirements.
As NKC expanded, they recognized they would need more artisans in order to meet demand and create opportunities for those displaced from traditional crafts. So they approached tribal belts in Gujarat in search of skilled weavers; though this step proved challenging since NKC had to overcome cultural differences while teaching these weavers how to produce world-class carpets.
Today, Jaipur Rugs stands as an industry leader with strong social impact. Their business serves as an example that pairing value-driven products with top quality standards can create prosperity and meaning for both their customers and artisans.
Jaipur Rugs continues to innovate in the rug industry by supporting grassroots artisans and upholding centuries-old traditions of craftsmanship. Not only is Jaipur Rugs improving artisans’ lives directly; the organization also empowers women as leaders – which has positive repercussions for entire communities.
Family involvement in running the company is integral; Asha and Archana serve as CEO and COO respectively for Jaipur Rugs USA in the USA while Kavita serves as Design Director with Kavi, their daughter’s own brand. Yogesh holds a master’s degree in Management from Boston College and currently acts as Director of Innovation, Supply Chain and IT for both Jaipur Rugs and Jaipur Living Inc.
Founder Nand Kishore Chaudhary
Nand Kishore Chaudhary began with just Rs 5,000, nine artisans and two looms as his startup capital and today stands as a major manufacturer of hand-knotted carpets. Now known as one of India’s premier producers of handmade rugs, his legacy in the industry is legendary – often being called Gandhi of Carpet Industry! Instilling dignity into all his business dealings while employing thousands of artisans. Additionally, Chaudhary is widely revered in India’s entrepreneurial scene as an iconic role model figure who stands as role models to many emerging entrepreneurs looking to start their businesses themselves.
NK Chaudhary had a vision to bring ancient knowledge and rural craftsmanship into homes globally, believing each rug embodies its weaver’s culture and artistic flair. By prioritising rural artisans’ wellbeing at the core of his organisation, Chaudhary laid down an incredible network of over 40,000 artisans. Under his humble leadership and distributed decision making principles he built Jaipur Rugs into something remarkable.
At Jaipur Rugs, NK Chaudhary saw first-hand how middlemen were negatively impacting artisans’ lives and made a vow to remove them. Thus began an unique supply chain where artisans and Jaipur Rugs could work directly together and maintain pride while simultaneously producing top quality products for global markets.
NKC Chaudhary understood the first step to true empowerment was ensuring artisans received fair wages for their efforts, acknowledging that many came from marginalised communities that yearn for the dignity that comes with earning money for their efforts. True empowerment lies in transcending social barriers and accepting all artisans regardless of caste or community affiliations as contributors.
Chaudhary founded Jaipur Rugs in 1978 with the goal of providing weavers the chance to earn an income and showcase their craft internationally. Due to his tireless devotion, he earned several accolades and awards such as Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year-Startup 2010 and India Pride Award 2011 as a Change Agent in Social Development and Equity.
The Artisans of Jaipur Rugs
Jaipur Rugs has quickly become one of the leading producers of hand-knotted rugs, connecting thousands of artisans from across India with global markets. The business model was built around principles of dignity: creating jobs for women weavers while offering training programs, encouraging creativity and encouraging originality among weavers. Jaipur also prioritizes sustainable development and environmental protection initiatives to create an atmosphere of inclusive prosperity.
At its origins, this company can be traced back to NK Chaudhary who set off on his entrepreneurial journey with one simple goal in mind – providing livelihoods to rural artisans. He borrowed money from family and established two looms in Churu, Rajasthan in 1978 using borrowed capital borrowed from them; employing weavers from untouchable communities who had not been allowed outside work at that time, including women not allowed outside home work environments.
Chaudhary placed special emphasis on quality control, encouraging weavers to experiment with patterns that would appeal to modern customers. His efforts paid off, as the brand quickly expanded across India – eventually employing over 40,000 artisans, 86% of whom come from historically marginalized castes or tribes.
The artisans at this company hand weave beautiful carpets in various styles – contemporary, transitional and traditional – using high-quality materials that enable them to craft intricate yet exquisite motifs before weaving these into mesmerizing rugs that will touch hearts around the globe.
Each rug is the product of meticulous and time-honored craftsmanship that embodies the passion and dedication of its artisans – who strive to keep sustainability at the forefront in each creation.
C.K. Prahalad has extensively documented this company as an example of a socially driven organization having an impactful positive influence on society. Their innovative approach to traditional carpet production has empowered thousands of artisans, revived 2,500 years of weaving artistry, created new employment opportunities for rural India women and created inclusive prosperity – creating new patterns of inclusive prosperity that empower women while upliftment rural India communities. At its heart is their goal of giving opportunities for women from disadvantaged communities to earn sustainable incomes while living fulfilling lives together with their families.
The Story of Jaipur Rugs
Jaipur Rugs stands out as an innovative company driven by creative innovation with purpose. The family business connects 40,000 rural artisans worldwide via markets using ancestral knowledge of carpet weaving techniques – helping communities that would have otherwise struggled under an underserved system to find peace and prosperity.
Nand Kishore Chaudhary opened his business in 1978 in Rajasthan province in India with two looms and nine male artisans, motivated by his ambition of showcasing India’s cultural heritage through handmade rugs. From day one he understood how middlemen impacted artisans, making sure to direct connect his weavers with buyers globally instead.
Jaipur Rug Company has become one of the world’s largest hand-knotted rug businesses with 50 stores in the US and 10 in India, featuring designs at leading design shows including Salone del Mobile in Milan and Downtown Design Dubai. Furthermore, they use only GOTS certified wool for sustainable production that supports fair and ethical production practices; additionally they recycle yarn used during production into pouffes and cushions to promote circular economy while decreasing waste output.
Once Chaudhary retired in 2004, his children Yogesh, Asha and Kavita took over running the company. Since then they have advanced its vision by prioritizing 40,000 artisans’ wellbeing while using local materials and dyes sourced locally – ultimately having a positive effect on society by connecting people to culture and community.
In 2018, Freedom Manchaha opened up a prison workshop that teaches inmates how to weave rugs. By encouraging their creativity through weaving rugs on the loom, prisoners can express themselves creatively while also receiving an income source that allows them to reintegrate back into society upon leaving jail.
Chaudhary believes the arts are essential components of a holistic and healthy community, and has dedicated his life to making that possible. His work stands as proof of how compassion, creativity and business can come together to change lives for good.
