Manaswini Mohapatra 
At the age of 24, shortly after completing her MBA in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from Symbiosis, Sushree Sagarika launched DM Ventures and its sustainable brand, De Mecasa. Her drive to start the company was deeply rooted in her childhood; raised by supportive parents who taught her to ignore societal gender boundaries, she wanted to create a platform that would help women gain independence and earn their own livelihoods.
Finding the True Vision Sushree’s path to finding the right business model wasn’t immediate. During her two-year MBA program, she tested out various business concepts, including a bookstagram to connect authors and readers, as well as a cafe. After these initial ideas failed, self-reflection & therapy helped her realize that she needed to build a business that aligned with her core identity and her passion for women’s empowerment.
Reviving Odisha’s Jute Heritage De Mecasa focuses on sustainable manufacturing by producing eco-friendly bags made from “jute” & “juco” (a softer combination of jute & cotton). Through her research, Sushree discovered that Odisha historically had a massive jute manufacturing industry that had significantly declined over time. She saw this gap in the market as an opportunity and envisions eventually bringing large-scale jute manufacturing back to the state.
Creating a “Home Away From Home” The brand name De Mecasa translates to “from our house” in Spanish, reflecting the company’s deeply ingrained work culture. Sushree built a supportive environment for her artisans that prioritizes mental health, strict policies for open communication, and regular feedback sessions. This nurturing approach has led to tangible social impacts—her artisans have been empowered to become the sole breadwinners of their families, sponsor their siblings’ education, and fund their own weddings.
Growth & Milestones De Mecasa operates primarily as a B2B business and has successfully acquired 40 to 50+ clients while selling over 20,000 bags. Incredibly, this growth was driven almost entirely by word-of-mouth and early cold-calling. After successfully pitching to Utkalika (Odisha State Handicrafts) & gaining credibility, the startup hit its first major milestone: delivering 1,000 bags for the Election Commission. This success built further trust, leading to orders from major organizations like Tata Power.
Future Expansion and Cultural Art Running the business with the massive support of her sister and sister-in-law, Sushree frequently navigates startup challenges, from sudden power cuts to managing tight finances without ever compromising artisan welfare. Looking ahead, her five-year vision includes:
- Rural Manufacturing Units: Expanding from their current base to open three to four units in rural Odisha. She plans to start in Kendrapara, where she previously found 40 to 50 women eager to work but unable to move to the city.
- A Hand-Painted B2C Line: Inspired by her mother, who is a painter, Sushree plans to launch a completely separate B2C brand featuring bags with traditional hand-painted art like Pattachitra and Madhubani.
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For young women looking to start their own entrepreneurial journeys, Sushree’s advice is clear: figure out exactly what you want to become, fully commit to that vision, and relentlessly push through the daily hurdles, all while fighting for yourself and what makes you happy.
