A New Chapter & A Tribute to My Girls

Hey, I am Rishu, the woman who started Bottlenuts and I’m thrilled to announce the launch of Bottlenuts Tote Bags. With a background in PR and marketing, I know a lot of people—that comes automatically with the profession. But very few have been there through my thick and thin. I am proud to say that most of those few have been my girl-friends. This blog and my new tote bag collection is dedicated to them and to my mother, who, I tell you, has logic to even the most illogical things in the world haha!

Growing up, I had four close friends—Nalini, Varsha, Moumita, and Monika. We went to school together, and our parents knew each other well. After the 10th, the four of them chose science, while I took commerce. Not because I wanted to become a CA, but because my marks left me with no other choice (though I secretly wanted to take Arts). Back in the ’90s, we didn’t have grades—just raw marks staring back at us. My 7-year-old nephew can’t even imagine that system, and honestly, I’m glad things have changed!

Even though we were in different classes, my friends never made me feel left out. That’s why lunch break was my favorite time of the day.

After the 12th, life took us in different directions—Nalini, Varsha, and Moumita pursued engineering, Monika started preparing for MBBS, and I, who always wanted to be a journalist, enrolled in Mass Communication in Indore. Moving to a new city felt overwhelming at first, but that’s where I met Nidhi, Garima, and Belly. Nidhi and Garima were my hostel mates, and Belly was my college buddy. Thanks to them, my college life became some of the best years of my life.

After graduation, we all went our separate ways. I moved to Delhi, hoping to build a career in journalism, but instead, I ended up in PR—a decision I am truly grateful for. Delhi introduced me to some of the most incredible women who changed my life for the better—my roommates Ranjana and Manjari, my colleagues Kanika, Mansi, Nitika, and Swati, and my inspiring lady bosses, Amrita and Ayesha.

After spending five and a half years in Delhi, I moved to Mumbai—the city of dreams. Mumbai gave me so much. I reunited with my college friend Nidhi, found a sister in Priyanshu, and most importantly, met the love of my life—whom I later married. While my college and Delhi friends helped me grow into the person I am today, my Mumbai friends gave me a sense of security and contentment. After getting married, I moved to Pune. Ranjana was already in Pune when I had moved to Mumbai, and when I finally came here, we reunited once again.

In Pune, I wanted to start something of my own, and that’s how Bottlenuts was born—with the idea of offering high-quality products at affordable prices. And guess who my first customers were? My girlfriends, of course! Now, as I launch a new line of tote bags, this collection is a tribute to all of them—Nalini, Varsha, Monika, Moumita, Nidhi, Garima, Belly, Ranjana, Manjari, Mansi, Kanika, Swati, Nitika, Amrita, Ayesha, Priyanshu—and to the girlfriends in your life too!

I hope this new collection receives love not just from my friends but from yours as well.

Ending this heartfelt note with a quote from Legendary Jane Fonda:

“Our girlfriends? They’re the sunshine on a cloudy day, the perfect pairing to our best moments, the fierce support system that makes us who we are.”

Here’s to all the amazing girlfriends who make life better! ❤️