Today we’d like to introduce you to Sivashankari Vijay
sivashankari, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in a small township in India, where I was surrounded by a close-knit family and nurtured a love for education and fashion. After earning my master’s degree in Biotechnology, I worked in the field for two years before life took a new turn when I got married and moved to the city. A few years later, my husband and I became the first immigrants in our family, relocating to the USA with our young child. This transition was challenging as I adjusted to a new culture while raising my little one largely on my own. To stay engaged and connected, I started a cooking blog called TasteFoodie in 2014. Although I faced some criticism along the way, these experiences helped me grow. After moving to Denver, I found joy in the blogging community and used this as an opportunity to learn more about technology, which led to the launch of my website, Unijou, in 2020. On Unijou, I share insights on travelling with kids, women’s wellness, and interviews with immigrant Indian women entrepreneurs. Driven by my passion for learning, I also ventured into video editing, creating over 150 family-friendly travel videos on my YouTube channel, also named Unijou. My husband helped me to learn technical aspects and My son provided voiceovers for more than 100 of this video., showcasing places to visit around Dallas and nearby states with kids. The joy of learning and implementing new skills has been incredibly fulfilling.
I have always loved dressing up in a presentable way, with a deep appreciation for both traditional silk sarees and modern attire. My focus has always been on quality, gravitating toward non-transparent materials and ensuring that every blouse I wear offers comfort without compromising on style. However, after moving to the USA, I found it increasingly challenging to find sarees that met my standards. The quality of materials and blouse patterns available here were simply not suitable for me, so I relied on my parents to source sarees and custom-stitched blouses for the first few years. Eventually, I realized this placed an unnecessary burden on them and stopped. Searching for alternatives locally, I was consistently disappointed by the exorbitant prices and lacklustre quality. Many of these sarees lost their lustre within a year, unlike the ones I had picked directly from weavers, which remained as vibrant as ever. As my daughter grew older, I noticed a significant gap in the market for traditionally rich, vibrant, high-quality Indian clothing for both children and women. This realization inspired me to launch Lakshmi Couture—a venture dedicated to offering exquisite traditional silk sarees, which are silk mark certified, from festival wear to wedding collections, at affordable prices. Lakshmi Couture also specializes in custom blouses, as I understand the vital role a well-crafted blouse plays in completing any ethnic look.
Lakshmi Couture began with a tireless commitment and a deeply rooted sense of purpose. Our commitment to social impact is a driving force, as we are dedicated to supporting girls in sports. At the heart of our collection, we celebrate tradition and elegance through our luxurious silk sarees, each motif inspired by temples and palaces, symbolizing life, nature, and spirituality. Our bold vision is to bring the richness of Indian weaves all over the USA, and we believe the best way to do this is through e-commerce. We strive to offer an enriching shopping experience where customers are completely satisfied with their purchases, making every drape a journey through time and tradition.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My journey has been far from easy. I faced significant challenges, particularly when transitioning to life in the USA as an immigrant. Feelings of isolation were overwhelming, and I had no one to guide me. The lack of support from my initial social circles was discouraging, especially when people questioned my choices. It felt like I had to conform to their expectations—nodding along with decisions I didn’t agree with just to fit in. When I tried to voice my opinions or say no, I often faced group dynamics that left me feeling even more isolated.
Coming from a small township, I often found myself unfairly judged and underestimated. It took some time for me to grasp their words, but I eventually realized how some people fail to understand that education has levelled the playing field for everyone. Despite this, I remain proud of my origins and what I represent.
Being a stay-at-home mom with a master’s degree on one hand and two kids on the other has profoundly shaped me. This challenging period taught me to self-educate and paved my way into entrepreneurship. My journey reflects resilience and the refusal to be confined by others’ narrow perspectives.
When you are working towards something uncertain—where you’re not getting paid for what you’re doing or don’t know what the end results will be—it can be challenging to keep going, especially when those around you are in stable, well-paying corporate jobs. In such an environment, it’s hard to survive as an independent creator, where society often values financial success over creative work.
That difficult stage of my life taught me valuable lessons about understanding people and deepened my self-awareness. It played a significant role in shaping the person I am today. Through it all, I’ve learned the value of staying true to my passions, even in the face of external pressures, and have become more determined to pursue them with purpose and perseverance.”
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Driven by creativity and passion, I specialize in crafting high-quality custom Indian dresses through my online platform, Lakshmi Couture. I collaborate with diverse individuals to understand their unique needs and create their dream attire for special occasions. In addition to my work in fashion, I focus on content creation through website development. I take pride in my ability to adapt and continuously learn new skills, including technology, website building, and video editing.
What truly sets me apart is my unique perspective as an immigrant. Navigating the uncertainties and challenges of life as an H1B visa holder and dependent spouse has taught me the value of kindness and positivity. Despite the hardships, I’ve embraced a life filled with exploration, travelling across the USA with my family and creating lasting joyful memories. Living life to the fullest means stepping out of my comfort zone and continually learning about diverse cultures, people, and philosophies. This ongoing journey keeps me energized and excited, and I cherish being surrounded by a supportive community and friends.
As a mother of two, I am devoted to raising my children with love and care while passionately pursuing my creative dreams—from building websites to my emerging work in fashion with Lakshmi Couture. One of my greatest joys is immersing myself in books and discovering diverse wisdom through the perspectives of various authors.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The lesson I’ve learned as a homemaker have been invaluable for my journey. I faced strong judgment for the choices I made, but when I look back, I realize that spending time with my kids and family was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. This nurturing experience laid the foundation for my entrepreneurial endeavors. One of the most valuable lessons I’ve embraced on this journey is that the time I invest in learning is truly rewarding. I celebrate the fact that every experience plays a vital role in my personal growth.
The people and resources I surround myself with greatly enrich my journey. As the saying goes, “You are who you spend time with.” When I find myself lacking supportive individuals, I actively seek out books and other enriching resources that can inspire and motivate me. I believe that being mindful of where I invest my time is essential, as it is one of the most precious gifts I can give myself.
I liken life to the four seasons, each bringing its own challenges and opportunities. Understanding this cyclical nature helps me navigate the different phases of my life with grace. I embrace change and remain open to new experiences that enhance my well-being. By fostering adaptability and a willingness to learn, I can better prepare myself to thrive, regardless of the circumstances I encounter along my journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lakshmicouture.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lakshmicouture_usa?igsh=MTFjNnhpbG5kcmw2OA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UniversalJourneyy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@unijou
- Other: https://unijou.com/
Image Credits
Clicks by Nidhi
Lakshmi Couture
