Some careers are built through opportunities. Others, through observation — of what works, what doesn’t, and what can be done differently.

For Anka, the founder of Trade Route, the spark came from years of navigating the complex world of global sourcing and manufacturing — from the artisan workshops of India to multinational offices in Sydney.

 

Where It Began

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Anka began her journey at the intersection of creativity and commerce. With a foundation in Fashion Design and Information Technology from NIFT and a Bachelor’s in Computer Applications, she developed an early fascination for how ideas evolve into tangible products — and how systems and people make that transformation possible.

Her first role, as a Senior Merchandiser at Indian Connection, gave her a front-row seat to the intricate dance between design intent and manufacturing reality. Working with artisans and global buyers, she quickly learned the nuances of quality, timelines, and communication that often make or break international trade partnerships.

 

Learning What Works — and What Doesn’t

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By the time she co-founded Two Roots Co., Anka had already recognised a key gap: brilliant designs and business potential often stumbled due to fragmented supplier networks and inconsistent processes. She built Two Roots to bridge that gap — combining creativity, compliance, and operational excellence.

Under her leadership, Two Roots Co. became known for its innovative product development, process transformation, and commitment to sustainability. Anka introduced design thinking and digital transformation practices long before they were buzzwords in small and mid-sized manufacturing.

Her drive for continuous improvement also led to initiatives like women’s empowerment at work, zero-waste targets, and building transparent systems where accountability and innovation could coexist.

 

The Global Perspective

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Anka’s career took her to Australia, where she led the Medical Division at Carr Australia Pty Ltd, overseeing product development, supply chain transformation, and strategic growth across six countries.
Her ability to connect design, technology, and business strategy earned her recognition for expanding markets and improving profit margins — from healthcare textiles to commercial projects like stadium seating and transport infrastructure.

During this time, she also completed her MBA (Executive) at the University of New South Wales, deepening her expertise in innovation, strategy, and leadership.

 

Finding the Why

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Through nearly two decades of working with global clients — from Maisons du Monde to Woolworths Group — Anka witnessed how sourcing could empower or exhaust businesses depending on how it was managed.
She saw brands struggle with supplier reliability, communication barriers, and inconsistent quality — and she knew there was a better way to build those bridges.

That became her “why.”

Trade Route was born from the belief that sourcing should be more than transactions — it should be a partnership rooted in trust, process clarity, and shared vision.

 

How She Builds Differently

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Anka’s approach blends strategic structure with human understanding. She applies change management frameworks (like Kotter’s 8 Steps) and customer journey mapping to align supplier ecosystems with client goals. Her teams are trained not just to execute orders but to co-create solutions — turning challenges into opportunities.
 

Her philosophy:

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“When you understand both sides of the table — the buyer’s intent and the maker’s craft — you stop negotiating and start collaborating.”

 

Today and Beyond

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As the director of Two Roots Co. and founder of Trade Route, Anka continues to help global businesses transform ideas into scalable, sustainable products. Her focus remains on innovation, operational integrity, and empowering people — from factory floors to executive teams.

With over 20 years of cross-continental experience, she is building a new kind of sourcing ecosystem — one that connects creativity, commerce, and conscience.