Around Christmas 2003 SUKRUPA had a sale at Microsoft, Krupa exchanged phone numbers with Madhu from ngo Family. First week of January 2004 Krupa got a call from Madhu that she should expect a call from Jaya from Gokuldas Images as they are looking for some gift items for valentines specially some candles, Krupa said to Madu that they don’t make candles, Madu said that Krupa could take other gift items they make and show it to them. Krupa gets a call from Jaya meets up with her with the products they made that time, like little red felt hearts, greeting cards and frames made of petals and leaves and mentioned if they needed any other item they could make it for them and it is important for SUKRUPA as this is one of the ways they fundraise and the older kids helped in making all these products under the supervision and guidance of her brother Sathya. Renu joined the meeting and she was specific that they needed candles for their promo during valentines and showed a sample of pink color candle to Krupa. Krupa did not have any idea what that candle was made of, it was in a juice glass looked very beautiful with an acrylic figurine inside, it was a gel candle. For costing reasons Renu needed a similar candle in a small glass. Krupa made sure that they didn’t know that she didn’t know anything about candle making, assured them she would be back the third day with samples. During summer camp 2003 although Perico Krupa’s friend had offered that his daughter Dolly could help them in a candle making workshop due to shortage in funds that could not be carried out. Having this in mind, as soon as she left their office, she called Perico and asked if his daughter Dolly who was in 10th grade would be willing to teach her and Sathya how to make candles, Perico said any evening would be o.k but to call Dolly and find out all the material that was needed. With all excitement Krupa shared all that happened with Sathya and her mother Suguna, they were equally excited too. Unfortunately Sathay was not keeping well, however he agreed to accompany Krupa to learn to make Candles. As Sathaya is more artistic and took care of in house activities at SUKRUPA, Krupa wanted Sathya to learn as well. The next evening Krupa and Sathya went to Perco’s house with the materials that Dolly had asked them to bring. Dolly welcomed them with a beautiful smile and she had arranged stove area for candle making. For couple of hours or three she taught them various methods of candle making. Krupa was extremely impressed with this teenager who taught them with all her zeal. Next day Krupa and Sathya made the needed samples of gel candles and got SUKRUPA’s first order of 500 candles. Later the art of making candles was passed on to Debroah Sony the bright teenager from the community, who was part of SUKRUPA RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM. Now Sony handles the SUKRUPA CANDLE UNIT, prices the candles and sells them as well. SUKRUPA every year makes thousands of candles, in 2007 they have already made more than 55,000 candles. These candles are retailed in different companies and also are custom made for corporations like Himalaya health Care products, ING Vysya Bank and many others.

In the year 2006 when SUKRUPA was making 22,000 candles for Himalaya Health Care, part of the packing was a cute little orange cloth bag; for which SUKRUPA had to hire trained tailors from the community. Three to four months SUKRUPA had the privilege of having three trained tailors working day and night to finish the 22,000 order mark; they were hired for a short term. Once they finish the term they had to look for new job. Along with the tailors two new sewing machines was added to the tailoring unit. Krupa and Sathya were thinking of ways to retain them, as part of the community development program, but there were no funds available for that. The products were made untill then were Santa Caps during Christmas and Dance Costumes around the same time, mostly Sathya handled the tailoring part. Emboridery Unit was running in uncertainty, to retain the tailors for embroidered material meant taking a huge risk. But then it was a risk worth taking as there was good market for exclusive hand embroidery. The next immediate thing was to come up with products to make. and a professional embroidery person. They hired Pasha who had 15 years of experience. The products they were working on was cushion covers and kurtis ( Indian tops); they started making them on silk. It was time for OWC Christmas Bazaar, (Overseas women’s Club) right timing, they had little over a month to make products, soon Krupa came up with ideas and lots of tie and die cotton fabric with which kurtis were made, export surplus material was purchased to make holiday season aprons, pot holders, oven mitts, table clothes and pillow cases etc., Which were sold in the Christmas Bazaar and thus began the clothing unit end of 2006. Since then they have made lots of exclusive children’s and women’s clothing along with formal outfits for men. They are looking for volunteers who can help them with designs and marketing of the products.