About Us
The Birth Of Manam
Manam is a company founded in October 2020 by Nivethaa Soundararajan, a 23-year-old architecture graduate. The idea for the company came about during the COVID-19 lockdown when Nivethaa couldn't access professional help for her father's skin issues. Through her research and using ingredients from her own farm, she created a soap at home that not only prevented her father's skin from drying out but also relieved his itching.
Manam's Journey Expands
Nivethaa's mother shared the success of Nivi's soap with friends and family, resulting in its growing popularity. Many soaps were distributed for free, thanks to her mother's efforts. Encouraged by the positive response, Nivi delved deeper into her research, taking a course to study plant-based oils, skin and product pH, and various Indian skin types. After a few months, Manam was officially established in Nivi's home kitchen.
From Home Kitchen to Dedicated Soap Haven
Manam quickly grew into a bustling weekend business thanks to social media. However, Nivi's mom found it challenging to handle the mess created in their home kitchen. As a solution, she converted an 8'x10' store room in their house into Manam's dedicated soap kitchen, furnishing it with second-hand furniture.
Manam's Outreach Initiatives Connect with a Wider Audience
In 2022, Manam extended its reach by participating in stalls, delivering guest lectures, and conducting workshops. These initiatives allowed the company to connect with a broader audience, sharing their knowledge and products beyond their soap kitchen.
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Manam has experienced organic growth, now boasting over 100 loyal customers. As part of their journey, the company takes pride in contributing to the fight against ableism by involving people with mental disabilities in the handcrafting of their products. Three out of five team members at Manam are individuals on their path to recovery, and the company is grateful to be a part of their rehabilitation, providing them with job opportunities for a dignified life in society.