In February 2000, Krishnaveni Bangara stood anxiously outside a hospital in Chennai, awaiting the arrival of her first grandchild. In her hands were two hand-stitched newborn kits — one pink, one blue — prepared with love and care.
Moments later, when she heard it was a girl, she handed over the pink set. The doctor noticed.
That moment, born out of love and readiness, became the unexpected start of Kitty’s Care, a babywear venture that has lasted 24 years and empowered Krishnaveni with independence, purpose, and pride.
From Grandmother to Entrepreneur
After the delivery, Dr Shantha, the gynaecologist, asked Krishnaveni about the newborn clothes she had brought. So impressed was the doctor with the quality and preparedness that she suggested Krishnaveni start supplying kits for other new mothers.
That encouragement turned into a supply order. And that order became a business.
“She told me, ‘You can do it, you are doing it,’” Krishnaveni recalls.
What Is Kitty’s Care?
Kitty’s Care provides customised newborn clothing kits made from cotton and microfibre towels. Each kit includes:
- Baby beds
- Jablas (loose baby tunics)
- Langots (cloth nappies)
- Mittens and socks
- Head caps and bibs
- Dry sheets and towels
Each kit is priced between Rs 250 and Rs 350, depending on the items selected and the hospital’s preferences.
Krishnaveni built a small but efficient team, with tailors who help execute her designs. She personally manages the fabric selection, design process, and customer requests.
Her Daily Routine: A Blend of Discipline and Passion
Krishnaveni starts her day at 5 AM, completes household chores, and dedicates six hours daily to her business. She coordinates with tailors, manages material distribution, and handles custom orders.
Her focus is on safety, hygiene, and comfort. She avoids printed fabrics so that parents can easily detect dust, insects, or foreign elements.
“My priority is that babies wearing Kitty’s Care should be safe and comfortable,” she says.
When COVID-19 Hit, She Adapted — Online
Like many small businesses, Kitty’s Care faced disruption during the pandemic. But Krishnaveni didn’t stop.
With help from her grandchildren, she learned how to:
- Accept digital payments
- Manage remote tailoring
- Deliver orders using courier services
- Communicate with hospitals over the phone and online
She moved the business operations online, proving that age is no barrier to adaptation.
Managing a Chennai Business from Muscat
Krishnaveni now lives in Muscat, Oman, with her daughter and grandchildren. Despite being over 3,000 km away from Chennai, she continues to manage Kitty’s Care remotely.
Thanks to two decades of goodwill and long-standing relationships with hospitals in Chennai and Hyderabad, orders keep flowing in.
Her ability to run the business across borders reflects the strength of trust she has built — and her willingness to stay updated with technology.
Why Newborn Kits Matter
Hospitals often share with her how helpful the kits are for families who arrive unprepared. Instead of relying on used or makeshift clothing, parents receive a ready-to-use, hygienic, and reliable kit for their newborns.
While Krishnaveni rarely hears directly from parents, she receives regular feedback through hospitals, which helps her tweak the kits to suit their evolving needs.
Lessons from Kitty’s Care
Krishnaveni never planned to become an entrepreneur. She didn’t draw up a business plan or seek investment. She simply acted on an opportunity, guided by love and supported by her values.
Over time, she created:
- A purpose-driven business
- A source of financial independence
- A product that serves a real and emotional need
“I didn’t think of this as a business at first. But now, it keeps me active and helps others too.”
A Role Model in Reinvention
Krishnaveni’s story challenges the idea that it’s ever too late to begin. At 78, she continues to grow a business that started with two stitched kits outside an operation theatre.
To those hesitant about pursuing late-life ventures, she is a quiet but powerful reminder: Independence begins with what you already have.