Vemula Ramya

Vemula Ramya (born 1994), widely known in the market as RamyaNagendra, is an Indian entrepreneur from Telangana who established a growing imitation jewellery business starting from a minimal investment. She is the founder of Ramyanagendra Imitations Private Limited, a company that operates across both online and offline jewellery retail segments in the Telugu states.

Vemula Ramya
Born	1994 Jagtial, Telangana, India
Nationality	Indian
Other names	RamyaNagendra
Occupation	Entrepreneur
Years active	2018–present
Known for	Founder of Ramyanagendra Imitations Private Limited
Notable work	Building a ₹10 crore jewellery business from ₹500 investment

Beginning her journey in March 2018 with just ₹500, she gradually expanded the venture into a company generating an annual turnover of around ₹10 crore. The brand is particularly recognized for its black bead jewellery collections (nallapusalu) and for using live sales in Telugu on social media platforms at an early stage.

Early Life and Background

Vemula Ramya was born in 1994 in Jagtial, Telangana, India. She was introduced to tailoring at a young age through her mother, a well-known local tailor who trained more than 100 women in the area.

From the age of seven, Ramya started learning stitching and cutting techniques. By her teenage years, she was capable of completing blouse stitching independently and began taking orders from home, earning income and building a small customer base.

Over time, the physically demanding nature of tailoring, which required long hours of sitting and continuous effort, led to severe back pain, making it difficult for her to continue in the same field.

Shift to Business

Due to health concerns and increasing responsibilities at home, including taking care of her young child, Ramya started exploring alternative income options that required less physical strain.

In March 2018, she used ₹500 from her savings to purchase a limited stock of imitation jewellery and began selling it from home. The business started without any formal setup, relying mainly on personal contacts and initial use of social media.

Early Business Struggles

During the initial stage, Ramya and her husband Nagendra travelled long distances, often more than 50 kilometres on a two-wheeler, to procure jewellery. They managed storage, packing, and sales operations from home while also caring for their infant child.

Each order was handled personally, and direct interaction with customers helped them understand preferences, pricing expectations, and market demand.

Use of Live Sales

With the rise of social media, Ramya began conducting live video sessions in Telugu to present her jewellery collections. Through these sessions, she showcased products, explained details, and responded to customer queries in real time.

This method helped in building trust and improving customer engagement. Live selling soon became a key strategy for the brand’s growth.

Business During COVID-19

During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, the business faced disruptions due to delays in logistics and courier services. At that time, Ramya handled all operations independently, including live sessions, customer communication, order packing, and dispatch coordination.

Despite delivery challenges, she maintained regular communication with customers and ensured that pending orders were fulfilled, which strengthened customer trust.

Financial Challenges

At one point, the business faced a setback when unsold inventory worth approximately ₹6 lakh accumulated, creating financial pressure on the self-funded venture.

After this experience, the business shifted to a more controlled inventory approach, focusing on demand-based purchasing instead of bulk buying.

Growth and Expansion

As the business expanded, the brand focused on black bead jewellery, locally known as nallapusalu, which carries cultural importance in the Telugu states. This segment became one of its strongest categories.

The company introduced entry-level pricing starting around ₹399 to attract new customers and gradually expanded its catalogue. Today, the brand offers more than 1,600 designs, including necklaces, earrings, and bangles.

In February 2025, the business was officially incorporated as Ramyanagendra Imitations Private Limited.

Business Operations

The company currently operates three physical stores located in Jagtial, Mancherial, and Hyderabad (Saroornagar). It also conducts jewellery exhibitions in various cities to provide customers with direct product experience.

During peak periods, the business processes up to 500 orders per day and provides employment to nearly 100 women across retail and operational roles.

Partnership

Ramya oversees marketing, branding, and customer engagement, while her husband Nagendra manages sourcing, logistics, and operations. Their combined roles have supported the business’s expansion.

Digital Presence

The RamyaNagendra brand maintains a strong presence on social media platforms, with over 360,000 followers on Instagram and more than 100,000 subscribers on YouTube.

Live sessions continue to play a major role in driving engagement and sales.

Future Plans

The company plans to expand its retail presence and increase the number of jewellery exhibitions across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. It also aims to introduce new collections while maintaining affordable pricing.

Legacy

The journey of Vemula Ramya, from starting with ₹500 to building a ₹10 crore jewellery business, reflects consistent effort, adaptability, and a strong focus on customer connection.

Her story shows how a home-based venture can grow into a structured business through disciplined execution and effective use of digital platforms.