CHACCRA 

Inspired by a love of the Nepalese culture, CHACCRA promotes and markets the work of Nepal’s talented but commercially isolated artisans. The company creates modern designs for rugs, blankets, and homewares, which these artisans execute using centuries-old handcrafting techniques. The resulting pieces break the mold while simultaneously preserving the community’s traditional crafting practices.

Sharon Shi, Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Sharon Shi created CHACCRA to celebrate the Nepalese culture. The name refers to the Hindu concept of chakra, which refers to points of physical or spiritual energy within the human body. Prior to founding CHACCRA, Sharon worked as a corporate marketer in the technology space.

Innovation Award

CHACCRA was preparing to launch a new line of artisanal products when COVID-19 shut down all of its production. How a company reacts to such a devastating blow usually determines whether it will survive or fail. Not surprisingly, CHACCRA drew on Nepalese culture in seeking a path forward. The Nepalese people have long embraced mindfulness, which has given them the ability to accept setbacks patiently while taking the time to reflect on the best way forward. Similarly, CHACCRA used the pause enforced by the pandemic to consider its options patiently and is now in a growth mode. Sharon Shi, Founder of Chaccra said “As an entrepreneur, we seek to have a balanced life as we strive for success. We found the real-time reporting of global retail conditions and best practices, invaluable, and we are pleased to receive this award. We believe in the mission of the World Retail Forum which is learning together to recover faster from Covid-19.”