Shubhra Sharma

At Curatif Inc. our mission is to offer meaningful, minimalist personal care products for maximum life-affirming affects. Our current offering is Cria, an all natural, vegan, gluten-free hair follicle energizer. The story of Cria began with a very obscure notation in my father’s diary. I am an anthropologist by training and in 2010 I was doing a diary project, looking into male diaries to understand how men in my culture construct their public selves through a very private, and forbidden (to others) document. In one of my father’s many diaries, I came across a notation, penciled at the top of the page. It looked like a jumble of numbers. So I asked my mother if she knew what it was. And she immediately exclaimed, “There it is . . .” Sure enough, it turns out to be a formula for what is now Cria! So Cria is how I honor my parents, and together we honor people—their bodies, their lives, their lived worlds.

My membership with TechRanch and the Venture Forth boot camp (made possible through the generosity of IAEC) came at the “right” time, especially as I was preparing to rebrand and relaunch Cria this year. The most valuable kernel for me has been participation—the opportunity to meet other entrepreneurs, hear their stories, and appreciate their com mitment to solving endemic social problems. I was inspired by everyone’s very noble quests and this has fed the life-stream of my own quest. I am also grateful for the connections. This forum allowed incredible access to the Austin entrepreneurial community that is incredibly kind and supportive. Each member of this community is so willing to share and to teach. They offer their time with such generosity that you know you will pay it forward at any opportunity you get. So I wish to thank everyone at TechRanch and IAEC for offering resources essential to the success of my enterprise. I am very excited for the journey and real possibilities of present/future success. With appreciation—Shubhra Sharma, Ph.D.