Ayisha Apparels

Ayisha Apparels is based at No. 2 Subramani Street in Subramani Nagar. It’s a quiet enough street most days, which is nice for getting work done. We started this small apparel business because we wanted to stay busy and work for ourselves. The building isn't very large, so we have to be smart about where we put the sewing machines and the cutting tables. There’s usually a pile of fabric scraps in the corner by the end of the afternoon. We try to keep things organized, but when we have a big order to finish, it gets a bit chaotic. The hum of the machines is the main sound you’ll hear if you walk in. My neighbor’s kids sometimes play outside, and we can hear them through the windows while we work. It’s not a fancy boutique with glass windows and mannequins. It’s more of a workshop where we actually make things. We have a few local people helping us out, and we all know each other well. Sometimes we have tea together during the break and talk about the news. We don’t do any big marketing campaigns; we just rely on the clothes speaking for themselves. If someone likes what we made, they usually tell their friends, and that’s how we get more work. It’s a slow and steady process. The roof leaks a tiny bit during the heavy rains, so we have to be careful where we stack the finished clothes. It’s just a normal, everyday work life for us here.