Could Purpose Builds Resilience: How SPB is Rebuilding an Enterprise
- Manish Kothari - rhinomk
- Oct 5
- 3 min read
At Meemansa, resilience has never been an abstract word. It has been lived, felt, and tested in every corner of our journey.
When COVID-19 struck, the textile and apparel value chain collapsed almost overnight. What was once a thriving business suddenly stood still. The global market, built on excessive consumerism, slowed down drastically. Consumption reduced, orders disappeared, and
with them, the security of livelihoods for the people who had stood with us.
In those months, we faced a choice: to close down, or to stay the course. Closure may have seemed pragmatic, but it was against the very purpose that had defined Meemansa since its inception—sustaining people, communities, and resources. Purpose reminded us that our journey was never only about clothes, but about dignity of work, responsible production, and building value that goes beyond profit.
So we adapted. We downsized where necessary, explored new buyers, tested e-commerce through Myntra, and most importantly, we entered a new path—upcycling and recycling. That purpose-led shift gave birth to something unexpected: Silica Plastic Blocks (SPB).
SPB was not just a diversification; it became a lifeline. It offered us a way to sustain livelihoods when the garment industry was struggling. It helped us cross over into a circular economy space, where waste was no longer discarded but repurposed into construction blocks, pavers, and products of lasting value. With limited resources, we built a parallel stream of resilience.
In February 2025, Rhino invested in a 100 kg/hr SPB machine. The first orders—about 21 MT of output—did not just create revenue; they built a new house for us and, symbolically, a new foundation for Meemansa itself. SPB infused cashflow into the enterprise at a critical time, proving that resilience lies not in resisting change, but in aligning with purpose and reimagining possibilities.
Resilience, for us, was not about bouncing back to the “old normal.” It was about holding on to purpose—the commitment to people, sustainability, and community—and building a “new normal” where garments and SPB coexist, where every block sold contributes to a salary paid, and where every effort counts toward a larger vision of zero waste.
Today, as Meemansa continues to stabilize, our team knows one thing clearly: it is purpose that builds resilience. Without it, the struggles of COVID-19 would have broken us. With it, we found new strength, new direction, and a new story—of SPB rebuilding not just products, but an enterprise and the spirit of its people.
How Purpose Builds Resilience
Resilience is often described as the ability to bounce back from adversity. But true resilience is not just about survival or endurance—it is about finding meaning in the struggle and continuing with conviction. The anchor that transforms hardship into persistence is purpose.
1. Purpose as the Inner Compass
When challenges arise—whether from market breakdowns, financial crises, or personal setbacks—purpose acts as a compass. It reminds us why we began the journey in the first place. Without a larger “why,” setbacks appear overwhelming. With purpose, obstacles become temporary tests, not permanent roadblocks.
2. Purpose Creates Collective Energy
For an individual or an enterprise, purpose is contagious. When people know they are working not just for profit, but for sustaining livelihoods, solving community problems, or creating sustainable solutions, they endure longer. Purpose shifts the focus from “me” to “we,” enabling teams to persist together.
3. Purpose Builds Clarity in Chaos
Resilience is not blind endurance. It requires clarity—of what to prioritize, what to let go, and where to focus limited resources. Purpose acts like a filter. In the face of uncertainty, decisions aligned with purpose create direction, and direction itself reduces anxiety.
4. Purpose Turns Struggle into Growth
Every crisis leaves scars. But with purpose, scars become symbols of growth. Failures become lessons, and persistence turns into innovation. Purpose transforms hardship into fuel for evolution.
5. Purpose Strengthens Commitment
When fatigue sets in, when finances seem stretched, when the temptation to quit feels real—purpose reminds us of the bigger responsibility. Commitment to people, communities, and values becomes stronger than the immediate pain. This commitment is resilience in its truest sense.
Closing Thought
Resilience without purpose is brittle—it can crack under pressure. But resilience built on purpose is supple, like bamboo; it bends, adapts, and regrows stronger. In enterprises like Meemansa, it is purpose—the decision not to give up on livelihoods, sustainability, and community—that builds resilience to navigate uncertain markets and shifting realities.
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