In the world of high-tech startups and venture capital, success is measured by scale, investment, and market disruption. Yet, in Bagru, Rajasthan, I met a master craftsman whose business model defies all textbook logic. His approach to hand block printing might be considered "poor strategy" by modern analysts, but his story is a masterclass in resilience and pragmatic innovation. Meet Prakash, 67, whose life embodies a successful business model built on efficiency over excess

In the world of business, formalization—getting a GST number, securing a bank loan, and operating with invoices—is often seen as the only path to growth. However, my research into Bagru's vibrant hand block printing community reveals a far more complex reality. For many small-scale textile artisans, the choice to remain informal is not a sign of a lack of ambition or knowledge. It’s a calculated, strategic, and often essential business decision. Here's why, from their perspec