We all know that outfit. The one we spent a month planning and a fortune buying. It was perfect for that one event, and now it just sits there, taking up space. We feel guilty getting rid of it, but it’s clear as day we’re never going to wear it again.
We get it. And so does our latest podcast guest, Aria Gupta.
On the latest episode of the How She Got Here podcast, she discusses how she’s fixing this exact problem with her startup, Revare, a peer-to-peer clothing platform for South Asian fashion.
She gets real about the grit it takes to build a business from scratch and the power of community for women entrepreneurs in tech.
In this blog, we give you an inside scoop into Episode 7 of HSGH | Season 2. Let’s dive in.
Aria Gupta’s Journey – From Banking to Fashion-Tech
Before launching one of the most innovative women-owned fashion brands in the niche, Aria Gupta’s path was seemingly set. With a double major in Economics and Statistics and a minor in Computer Science from the University of Virginia, she entered the finance domain in New York City.
But she knew that the grueling 7 AM to midnight banking schedule wasn’t for her.
In a turn of events, Aria landed a product manager role at a bank through her networking efforts. Long story short, she was given a 12-month contract amidst mass layoffs, during which she found the time and courage to act on her passion project, Revare!
The Birth of Revare – A Solution to a Cultural Problem
The idea for Revare came from a real, personal place. It’s the answer to a problem that so many in the South Asian community face.
A Dancer’s Closet Sparked a Business Idea
As a classically trained Bharatanatyam dancer, Aria Gupta’s closet was filled with dazzling costumes that were:
- expensive,
- difficult to source from India, and
- often worn only once or twice.
Also, they were too precious to donate to a thrift store where they might end up in a landfill. There was no good option to sell clothes online that understood their value.
Around the same time, her mom was trying to figure out what to do with her own mother’s heirloom saris. This was a lightbulb moment for Aria as she observed a massive gap in the market. The need for an Indian clothing resale platform was staring her right in the face.
What is Revare?
Revare is an online South Asian fashion marketplace. It’s a dedicated peer-to-peer (P2P) platform where users can buy and sell pre-loved traditional and modern Indian clothing, including stunning wedding lehengas, elegant saris, and festive kurtis.
Revare means “to renew” in Latin. Aria Gupta’s mission is to give a second life to beautiful, often expensive, and occasionally used garments. She wants to make high-quality cultural fashion more sustainable, accessible, and affordable for everyone.
Building a Business While Working Full-Time
Unlike countless “I quit my job” stories, Aria Gupta’s approach to entrepreneurship is refreshingly practical. She treated her corporate role like a paid internship, soaking up every skill she could, including product strategy, design, and user experience.
And she did all this while collecting a paycheck. It’s a brilliant strategy for any aspiring founder wondering how to launch an online clothing store without going broke.
Aria also shares her secret to getting so much done: meticulous scheduling. “I’m all about my Google Calendar,” she tells Cass, explaining how she blocks out time for her day job, Revare, social activities, and essential self-care.
All it takes is some sauna sessions and acupuncture to stay sane and focused.
Why User Experience and Product Management Skills Matter
Having a background as a Product Manager at J.P. Morgan gave Aria Gupta a massive head start. She already knew how to build things people actually want to use.
MVP First – Choosing Website over App
Instead of blowing a ton of cash on a flashy clothing resale app, she started smart. She built a website first—a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)—to prove the concept and build a community. This is a critical lesson for the countless fashion startups that fail because they build too much, too soon.
She knew that fashion app development required significant capital. Instead, she hired a freelancer to build an affordable MVP on WordPress, specifically using WooCommerce. This allowed her to test the market, gather user data, and learn valuable lessons before making a larger investment.
Only now, with a validated idea, she is on her way to build an ecommerce app.
Embracing Community, Culture, and Sustainability
Revare is a platform with a purpose. It’s one of those women-owned fashion brands built on something more than just profit.
The Role of Aria’s Mother and Community in Revare’s Journey
During the episode, Aria Gupta is quick to credit her support system. Her biggest inspiration is her mom, who took a massive risk years ago to start her own company. That entrepreneurial spirit is in her DNA.
A powerful bond, rooted in celebrating failures and fostering resilience, is at the heart of Revare’s ethos. Her community of friends and college alumni has also stepped up, offering to model and create social media content.
Sustainable Fashion in South Asian Culture
Aria Gupta is tackling a cultural stigma head-on. Thrifting can be frowned upon in some South Asian communities. But Revare advocates the beauty of pre-loved clothing and giving ornate garments a new life.
The “wear it once” culture for big events is a huge sustainability problem. That’s why Aria’s brand offers a direct solution by making it easy to circulate eco-friendly outfits. It’s a platform where you can buy used indian clothes, turning a wasteful tradition into a sustainable one.
Moreover, Aria Gupta’s vision is inclusive, aiming to create a space for all South Asians, including Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, and Indo-Caribbeans. She also wants to create an Indian fashion marketplace for non-South Asian guests attending cultural weddings, making the fashion accessible and affordable for everyone.
Marketing Revare – Organic Growth and Viral Campaigns
In just two years, Revare has grown to nearly 1,000 users without spending a single dollar on ads.
The secret to this explosive growth lies in Aria’s authentic, community-first marketing strategy.
Revare’s Open Model Call – A Viral Success
Instead of paying influencers, Aria put out an open call for models from her own community. To her surprise, over 500 people applied. She tells Cass that the response felt overwhelming because at the start, it was just her and her mom doing the photoshoots.
On top of it, the campaign went viral, cementing Revare’s reputation as a brand and online clothing marketplace that truly cares about its users.
Leveraging South Asian Facebook Groups for Growth
Aria Gupta wasn’t afraid to talk about getting her hands dirty with some old-school digital marketing. In the early days, she spent hours in niche Facebook groups. It was a grind, but it worked.
When she saw someone looking to buy or sell an outfit, she’d personally message them with a link to a relevant listing on Revare.
It got her the first users and invaluable feedback. This scrappy, direct approach delivered immediate results by solving a user’s problem at the exact moment they had it.
Challenges, Lessons, and the Road Ahead for Revare
The path of female fashion entrepreneurs is rarely smooth, and Aria Gupta has faced her share of challenges. Still, she lives by the motto “rejection is redirection,” the sentiment shared by HSGH Season 2 | Episode 4 guest, Aru Serikova.
Every setback has been a setup for a comeback.
She candidly shares a recent story of being ghosted by a major organization after putting in weeks of effort to provide them with free outfits for an event. Instead of dwelling on the frustration, she turned the 15 leftover saris into a massive community photoshoot and giveaway.
What’s Next – App Development and Scaling
Now that the concept is proven, Aria Gupta is planning to scale up with a full-fledged fashion marketplace app. As an eCommerce agency, Cronix knows that the journey is a major undertaking.
Her long-term vision is to make Revare the one-stop asian fashion marketplace for pre-loved clothing, small designers, dance costumes, and even wedding decor. She’s even considering raising a pre-seed or seed round to scale her vision to the next level.
To hear the whole story, tune into the full episode of How She Got Here | Season 2 on YouTube & Spotify! Also, you can follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok for all the latest podcast updates.
Final Words
Aria’s path wasn’t easy, but she built her dream one step at a time. For all the femme-identifying people tuning in, your own journey doesn’t require a giant leap. Small, brave steps taken today can build an empire tomorrow. You’ve got this!
Inspired by Aria’s story? Whether you’re building your MVP or scaling your marketplace app, our team can help bring your vision to life. Schedule a free consultation today and start building smart.
The “How She Got Here” is brought to you by Cronix and hosted by Cass Cross. We support and highlight inspiring stories of female startup founders and femme career journeys in tech and eCommerce.