Ipsita Chakraborty’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and a deep connection to her cultural roots. A former corporate banker who worked with global giants like American Express, Citibank, Barclays, and Cvent, Ipsita has transitioned into a solopreneur, founding DESINRI, her LLC, and launching her skincare brand, Caldre’. Based in the United States, her journey into entrepreneurship was sparked by personal challenges as a single mother and a passion for creating safe, effective, and natural skincare products for her son and others. In an engaging interview, Ipsita shared her background, the inspiration behind her brand, the challenges she faces, and her ambitious vision for the future.
A Multicultural Journey Rooted in Nature
Born in Kolkata, India, Ipsita primarily hails from a Bengali background but has lived across India. She pursued her education and career in Bangalore and Gurgaon. A self-described “travel geek,” she explored India extensively, often solo or with friends, which deepened her appreciation for nature and its resources. This connection to the natural world, combined with her cultural heritage, became a cornerstone of her brand’s philosophy. “There’s something that keeps calling me to nature,” she explained, reflecting on how her upbringing influenced her approach to skincare.
Ipsita’s grandmother was a significant influence, using simple, natural ingredients like glycerin and clay to maintain radiant skin. “Her face was more than glass skin,” Ipsita recalled, noting how these traditional remedies inspired her to prioritize quality and natural ingredients over commercial products filled with harmful chemicals. Despite her grandmother’s initial disapproval of her education as a girl, Ipsita’s ambition and natural aptitude made her what she is.
Her professional life as a corporate banker took her across India, where she worked with major brands and navigated high-pressure environments. However, her life took a significant turn after marriage and the early arrival of her son, which thrust her into single parenthood. “I was the only caregiver from day one,” she said, highlighting the challenges of raising a child without support while mourning personal losses, including her father’s passing. These experiences fueled her determination to create something meaningful, both for her son and for others facing similar struggles.
The Rise of Caldre’: A Response to a Personal Need
The inception of Caldre’ came from a deeply personal place. As a new mother, Ipsita struggled to find safe, effective baby products for her son, who is now two and a half years old. “When my son was very young, I didn’t know what products to use,” she shared. Confused by conflicting advice about different products, she was overwhelmed by generic recommendations that led her to create her solutions. Drawing on her grandmother’s wisdom and her research, Ipsita began crafting organic oils and soaps at home, using ingredients such as clays, shea butter, essential oils, and hand-pressed flowers.
Her products are 100% organic, vegan, and free of chemicals, parabens, and dyes. Unlike many commercial skincare products that rely on acids or synthetic moisturizers, Caldre’s offerings focus on tangible skin benefits hydration, radiance, and addressing conditions like eczema and strawberry skin. “My son has eczema, and I wanted something that works without constant moisturizing every five hours,” Ipsita explained. Her soaps, infused with natural clays from around the world and essential oils like vitamin E, offer a simple and effective solution that doesn’t require complex routines. She also developed oils for muscle-building massages, which she credits for her son’s robust health and above-average height.
Her Motto: No Compromise on Quality
Ipsita’s commitment to quality extends to her production process. Every product is handmade, fresh-batched, and made to order to ensure maximum efficacy. “I’m a quality person, not a quantity or price person,” she emphasized. Her soaps, for instance, utilize a premium soap base and triple butter blends, opting for natural mica powder or crayon-based colors that are safe for children used in her candle for imparting colors to them. This dedication to purity and safety sets Caldre’ apart in a market saturated with chemically driven products.
Challenges as a Solopreneur
Building a beauty brand from scratch is no easy feat, especially for a single mother with no family support. “There’s nobody behind me or my child,” Ipsita shared. As a solopreneur, she handles every aspect of her business, from product development to branding, with two teams to rely on with. Her motivation stems from her son, whose smile when seeing her creations fuels her drive. However, the lack of support, combined with the demands of parenting a toddler, presents significant challenges.
Ipsita also faced skepticism about the efficacy of her products in a market dominated by big brands. “There are so many beauty brands out there, but what makes Desi NRI different?” she was asked. Her response was clear: Caldre’ offers benefits that commercial products often lack. Unlike mainstream soaps that provide onlybasic moisturizing, her clay-based products promote radiance, anti-tan effects, detoxifies skin, promotes dead skin elimination and boosts instant one wash after glow that brightens you and your day. It generates hydration to skin without the use of harmful acids. She also has variants in her candles which are all based out of premium soy-based candles which be used as massage candles too. She tested her products on herself, her son, and even her ex-husband, ensuring they met her high standards before launching.
Early customers, including friends and daycare staff, have become repeat buyers, validating her approach despite minimal marketing.
Cultural Roots and a Global Vision
Ipsita’s Bengali heritage and experiences across India have a profound influence on Caldre’s philosophy. Her products reflect a blend of traditional remedies and modern needs, prioritizing natural ingredients over synthetic alternatives. “My mom used kitchen ingredients, but I learned to use everything fresh,” she said, noting how she refined her grandmother’s methods to create effective, safe for sensitive skincare. This connection to her roots drives her to avoid trends like Botox or acid-based treatments, which she experienced firsthand with a disastrous facial that left her skin red, irritated and burnt.
What’s Next for Ipsita
Looking five years ahead, Ipsita envisions Caldre’ as a luxury skincare brand collaborating with giants like Estée Lauder and lancome with more. She aims to expand into markets such as the US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, the UK, and France, where skincare is highly valued. “I see this as a movement, like Apple,” she said, aspiring to make Caldre’ as a household name that delivers real skin benefits without compromise. Her products, including soaps and candles, are designed to uplift mood and enhance skin health, catering to both adults and children. “She also offers mood-boosting glass cups, each designed to reflect the vibe or character you want to embody paired with charming embellished straws, every sip becomes a sensory ritual, reviving your spirit and joining a movement of mindful self-expression.
Empowering Others and Breaking Stereotypes
Beyond building a brand, Ipsita is driven by a desire to empower others, particularly single mothers. “Don’t lose hope. If you dream, you will succeed,” she urged, reflecting on her journey through adversity. She also challenges cultural stereotypes, particularly around skin color, which she sees as an unnecessary concern in India. Her products, such as almond oil for thyroid health and mustard oil for cough relief, draw on traditional knowledge to offer practical solutions that do not rely on medication. Ipsita’s message to consumers is clear: prioritize quality and authenticity. “Don’t follow trends blindly,” she advised, critiquing the influence of celebrity-driven brands that may not deliver tangible benefits. Caldre’ offers a 180-day return policy, reflecting her confidence in the efficacy of her products. She also plans to host workshops to engage parents and children in making clay-based products, fostering bonding and education about natural skincare.
About the Author
Ipsita Chakraborty is the founder of desiNRI and the skincare brand Caldre’ blending her Bengali heritage with a passion for natural, organic products benefiting the skin in all aspect. With her variants in candles an clays soaps, with baby oils and soaps creating gentlemen bar she adheres to all skin type. A former corporate banker with experience at AmEx, Citibank, Barclays, and Cvent, she transitioned into entrepreneurship as a single mother seeking safe skincare solutions for her son. Inspired by her grandmother’s traditional remedies, Ipsita crafts handmade, chemical-free soaps and oils that prioritize skin health and simplicity. A self-described travel enthusiast and a digital marketer, she channels her ambition into empowering others through her brand. Her vision is to create a global movement for authentic, benefit-driven skincare.
