As we approach the end of 2012, we’ve taken some time to reflect on this past year. It has truly been a whirlwind. At this time last year, Diana was preparing to travel to India for our first pilot. We had a grand vision, a ridiculous amount of passion, some research to back us up, and a small amount of funding from MIT. We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into.

Since then, we’ve won a couple business plan competitions, recruited a team, and registered our company in both the US and India. We were fortunate to start working with Selvan, our Director of Field Operations, whose hard work and dedication is truly the reason we’ve accomplished as much as we have. As Selvan transitions into a new role focused on product testing and catalogue development, our field operations are now in the capable hands of Poonacha, who has helped us hire and train our sales executives and grow our shop network and sales.

We’ve been excited by the early successes that we’ve achieved. A few months ago, we had an empty office space, one employee, and no sales. Now we have a busy office with five employees, we’ve sold 300+ products, and we’ve watched how the products in our catalogue are actually changing lives and improving businesses. We have customers, revenue, and proof that our model works.

We’ve also got a long way to go in building this business. We have the day-to-day hills that we climb, such as navigating the Indian legal landscape, or developing a more robust data collection system. It’s easy to get caught up in the daily hurdles, but we always refer back to our grand vision: Essmart as the channel where thousands of local retail shops can improve their businesses and millions of households can access products that improve their lives. Distribution is the first step, but our dream is to build up the entire technology-for-development ecosystem by encouraging suppliers to design better products, and commercialize more products.

2012 was a roller coaster ride, and we expect nothing less from 2013. Thank you for joining us on this ride. We hope you’re enjoying it as much as we are.

Greetings from India!

Essmart has been on the ground in Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, India for about two months now. Much has happened since our last email update. Selvan, our Director of Field Operations, has hired two sales executives, and they are working with 28 shops within a 20-kilometer radius of Pollachi. We now have six great products in our catalogue, which we’re seeking to expand. We’ve sold over 100 units through our network and are in working relationships with our suppliers. We’ve finished incorporation in both the US and in India, and we’re currently pursuing relationships with potential partners while meeting as many people as possible to talk with them about Essmart.

In early September, the Dell Social Innovation Challenge came to the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Mumbai to host a workshop with Indian educators in the burgeoning field of social entrepreneurship. Diana had the opportunity to share our team’s experiences of starting Essmart while we were still students, with the hope of encouraging Indian youngsters. After the workshop, Rob Hanna from Dell’s Social Innovation Challenge and Dell’s R&D Rajesh Navneetham visited our operations in Pollachi.

In late September, Diana participated in the Dasra Social Impact Program, an executive education program for leaders of nonprofits and social entrepreneurs working in India. Getting away from operations was helpful for reevaluating Essmart’s work, and lessons from the Dasra Social Impact Program have already contributed to a renewed vision of who we are and what we do: making high-quality, innovative technologies available for every customer at their local shopping destinations.

In October, Selvan, Diana, and Essmart’s sales executives participated in the Energy Showcase of the Dr Mahalingam College of Energy and Technology in Pollachi. We were graciously given a stall to display our process and our product catalogue, and Selvan has been solidifying himself as Pollachi’s own “solar guy.” Diana and Selvan will also participate in the upcoming Global Green Inclusive Innovation (G2i2) Summit to seek partnerships with other like-minded organizations.

Jackie and the US team have been presenting Essmart at events around Boston, including the MIT International Development Fair, the MIT India Conference, and the upcoming Forum for Social Entrepreneurs that is hosted by The Indus Entrepreneurs of Boston. Jackie also presented Essmart to the MIT Sloan MBA Entrepreneurship & Innovation class. The US-based team is currently putting its efforts toward fundraising.

Much has happened, and we’re exciting to continue moving Essmart forward! Be sure to stay tuned as we put the world’s essential technologies in every local shop.