Mela Artisans

Mela Artisans operates as a for-profit, socially conscious luxury lifestyle brand with a core mission to create a sustainable global marketplace for artisans in India. Founded in 2010 by the father-daughter team of Navroze S. Mehta and Sonali Mehta-Rao, the company was born from their shared passion for traditional Indian art forms and the realization that modern manufacturing threatened the livelihoods of master craftspeople. The initial concept emerged after Sonali, during internships with social organizations in India, witnessed the crisis artisans faced due to a lack of access to broader markets. This experience, combined with Navroze's travels in his native India, inspired them to establish a business that could preserve heritage crafts while providing a steady income to artisan communities.

Navroze Mehta, the company's CEO, is a seasoned entrepreneur with a history of founding and leading companies primarily in the healthcare sector before establishing Mela Artisans. His business acumen is complemented by his passion for social change and a Bachelor's degree from the University of Mumbai and an MBA from Syracuse University. Co-founder Sonali Mehta-Rao brings a background in international relations and social entrepreneurship, having also co-founded other social impact ventures. Her focus has been on bridging cultures through design and ensuring every product reflects skill, heritage, and creates meaningful economic opportunity.

The company’s business model is centered on a direct-to-consumer and wholesale approach. It collaborates with over 50 artisan groups, which collectively employ thousands of artisans across India, to produce collections of high-quality home décor, jewelry, and accessories. Mela Artisans refines traditional designs to align with contemporary aesthetics, making the products appealing to a modern, global consumer. Revenue is generated through sales on its e-commerce website and through partnerships with high-end retailers such as Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and Bloomingdales. The company has demonstrated significant growth, securing $3 million in venture capital funding in March 2014 to scale its operations. As a mission-driven brand, Mela Artisans' impact is integrated into its operations; increased sales directly translate to more work and income for the artisan groups. The company also invests in the communities by providing business counseling, financial workshops, and skills training.

The product range is diverse, featuring items like decorative bowls, trays, lighting, and jewelry made from locally sourced and reclaimed materials including wood, marble, metal, and upcycled bone and horn. The brand highlights specific, time-honored techniques from various regions, such as the stone carving and inlay traditions of Agra and the intricate embroidery of Kashmir. By connecting consumers with the stories behind the products and the artisans who make them, Mela Artisans aims to foster a more mindful approach to purchasing, transforming a simple home goods purchase into a meaningful connection that supports the preservation of cultural heritage.

Keywords: artisan-made goods, social enterprise, handcrafted home decor, luxury lifestyle brand, ethical sourcing, Indian handicrafts, fair trade, sustainable design, e-commerce, wholesale decor