Arjuni International, Transforming lives of women at risk
Arjuni International is a socially conscious and fully integrated human hair extensions producer. Arjuni provides employment in its facilities to women at risk and improves the lives of its hair donors by providing them an additional source of earnings. We talk to founder Janice Wilson about her unique enterprise.
What is the core value proposition of your business?
We offer human hair extensions. But so do thousands of other international competitors. Then why has Arjuni gained global preeminence? We’re the only company in the world that is 100% vertically integrated. With Arjuni, there is no such thing as a middle man. Every aspect of production, from sourcing to fabrication, is performed under one roof. That means we’re able to offer a product that is bona fide undiluted. Or, as we say in the industry, virgin.
Our core value proposition is quality. Pure and simple.
How is your business different to others in the market that are offering the same product?
I’ve mentioned our operations. But I haven’t mentioned our social mission. Arjuni offers patient, stigma-free employment to women previously exploited. Particularly, those trafficked. We also support women in the provinces, those who have chosen to sell their hair, practice collaborative financial investment.
Our clients, most of whom are from The States and the UK, not only trust that our hair is ethically sourced, but that we take our commitment of contribution seriously. By supporting Arjuni, our clients have an opportunity to do a bit of good, while looking good.
Tell us about your beneficiaries. Who are they, how do they use your product/service and what feedback have you had from them?
We have three groups of beneficiaries. The first is our team. As mentioned, our team is partially comprised of women previously exploited. With our support and the support of our partner NGOs, these women uncover not only the capacity, but the desire to self-valuate.
The second is our hair donors. We’ve just begun to explore collaborative financial investment as an alternative to microfinance. Check back with us in a year (and hopefully post-funding). We’ll have a solid report.
And the third is our clients. First and foremost, they learn where Cambodia is on the map. They also learn that not only are they a global citizen, but that they can contribute as a global citizen. Because our product is highly sought-after, we’ve a very captive audience. We can’t wait to take advantage of such to increase awareness and contribution.
What would you say is the most challenging aspect of starting and running your inclusive business?
Start-ups are difficult. There’s no way around it. But an impact start-up has an even tougher go of it. Resources are always limited. But in the realm of social enterprise, those dollars must be stretched not only for operations, but for contribution.
What is the one factor that has most enabled your inclusive business to progress this far?
Demand. Raw, insatiable demand. We picked the right industry. But a close second is Arun, a social investment fund from Japan. Without their second round of funding, we wouldn’t be here today.
How do you plan to use the Shujog award and what do you expect to get out of the Impact Forum 2014?
I’m really hungry to mix with other impact entrepreneurs. Failing just isn’t an option when you’ve team members who have courageously self-valuated. It’s a bit of added pressure that one doesn’t experience in the usual start-up realm. And that pressure is something only another impact entrepreneur can appreciate.
Oh. And I certainly wouldn’t mind leaving the forum with a bit of cash to take Arjuni to the next level.
Where do you see your business five years from now?
We’re the quintessential example that patient employment doesn’t mean a reduction in profits. And in fact, we prove just the opposite. I’d also like Arjuni to prove that consumption can feed contribution. That it isn’t a zero sum game. That with a global, inclusive mindset, for both the consumer and the corporation, we can give as good as we get.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to entrepreneurs looking to start an inclusive business?
Become malleably impervious!
