Poornima Verma

Why this persona fits the audience

Co-runs a three-person pre-owned fashion business in Mumbai selling branded bags and apparel to domestic and international buyers. The catalog lives in Excel and Shopify, with active listings also posted on eBay and Vestiaire Collective for cross-border demand.

• Age: 31
• Location: Mumbai, India
• Occupation: Founder, pre-owned fashion resale business
• Income: ₹18L-₹30L annual business income
• Education: Bachelor's degree
• Company size: 3
• Years in role: 5

“Every piece has a story, and our job is to give it a beautiful next chapter, while building something sustainable for ourselves.”

Poornima Verma, at 31, is a driven entrepreneur who co-founded a successful luxury resale business in Mumbai five years ago. Her journey into pre-owned fashion began during her Bachelor's degree studies, fueled by a passion for designer pieces and a growing awareness of fashion's environmental impact. She saw a gap in the Indian market for a curated, trustworthy source of high-end pre-loved bags and apparel. Starting with a small personal collection and a meticulously organized Excel sheet, she partnered with two like-minded friends, Anya and Vikram, to formalize their venture. Their business now operates from a small, dedicated studio space in Bandra, employing two part-time assistants for photography and logistics. Poornima is the strategic mind, focusing on sourcing, international market expansion, and brand reputation. She meticulously manages their online presence across Shopify, eBay, and Vestiaire Collective, constantly seeking ways to streamline the cross-listing process. Her income reflects the success of their niche operation, allowing for a comfortable lifestyle and reinvestment into the business. She is deeply committed to the principles of circular fashion and views her business not just as a source of income, but as a contribution to a more sustainable industry. Recent decisions include investing in higher-quality photography equipment and exploring partnerships with international luxury consignment platforms to broaden their global footprint. She views time as a critical resource, constantly optimizing workflows to maximize efficiency and minimize manual effort, driven by a desire for scalable growth and a strong, reputable brand.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

Poornima's day begins at 6:30 AM with a quick yoga session followed by a strong cup of filter coffee. By 8:00 AM, she's reviewing overnight sales reports from eBay and Vestiaire, responding to customer inquiries, and planning the day's tasks with Anya and Vikram via a quick huddle. The morning is dedicated to photographing new arrivals – ensuring perfect lighting and detail shots. After a simple lunch, she tackles inventory management, updating the Shopify backend and cross-referencing with her master Excel sheet. The afternoon involves researching potential sourcing opportunities and managing international shipping logistics. She aims to wrap up by 7:00 PM, though urgent customer queries can extend this. Evenings are for unwinding with Rohan, discussing business challenges over dinner.

Lifestyle

Poornima wakes up early to meditate and exercise, often a brisk walk along Marine Drive if the weather permits. Her evenings are a mix of business planning, trying new recipes, or catching up on international fashion news with Rohan. Weekends are dedicated to sourcing inventory, attending local designer pop-ups, or meticulously photographing new arrivals. She values her downtime, cherishing quiet evenings with her partner and cat. Financial discipline is key; she tracks business and personal expenses closely, aiming for steady growth rather than impulsive spending.

Work life

As a co-founder, Poornima's days are a whirlwind of managing inventory, overseeing listings, and engaging with customers across multiple platforms. Her team of two handles photography and initial processing, but Poornima is deeply involved in quality control and final descriptions. The constant need to update listings, track sales across Excel, Shopify, eBay, and Vestiaire, and manage international shipping logistics consumes a significant portion of her time. She feels the pressure to maintain a pristine brand reputation and ensure every item is authenticated and described accurately.

Relationships

Poornima is close to her partner, Rohan, who often helps with the creative aspects of their business, like product photography. Her two business partners, Anya and Vikram, are like family, sharing the same drive and vision. She maintains contact with her parents, who are supportive but don't fully grasp the nuances of the resale market. Her professional network consists of other small business owners and a few trusted suppliers.

How they decide

Poornima is a research-heavy decision-maker, especially for business investments. She weighs pros and cons carefully, seeks input from her partners, and looks for data to support her choices. For operational tools, she prioritizes efficiency and reliability, often testing solutions with a small part of her workflow before full adoption. She's not easily swayed by hype but is open to innovative solutions if they demonstrably solve a problem.

How they sound

Speaks with a clear, articulate cadence, often using precise language. Her tone is generally warm and professional, but can become more direct when discussing business operations or quality standards. She avoids overly casual slang but might use common Hinglish phrases naturally in conversation. She's not afraid to ask clarifying questions and values directness.