At BrilliantRead Media, it is our constant endeavour to bring meaningful and powerful stories from India and around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. As part of this, we invited Ankita Gupta for an exclusive interview with us. She is a Social Entrepreneur, Architect, Interior Designer and Founder of I Design Spaces. Let’s learn more about her incredible journey, background and advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Ankita:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
I have a license from the Indian government as an architect. Architecture and design have been my passion and professional calling for over a decade. I have been married for 16 years, and I am also a homemaker. I started my interior design business called “I Design Spaces” about six years ago, fuelled by my passion and with my husband’s constant support.
I Design Space had a humble beginning, as it was started in a small basement room with just one part-time employee. My ideas and designs represented my passion for design, and as my clientele grew, my start-up quickly prospered. Even after all these years, I can still vividly recall every design I’ve ever made and the joy it brought my clients.
Looking back, I think my core philosophy of “personal touch”, which served as the foundation for all of my projects, could be credited with I Design Spaces’ success. Homes are the most intimate spaces we inhabit, and in all of my designs, I tried to capture the warmth, love, and affection that a home should have.
After “I Design Spaces” had been a success for two years, I met a group of skilled weavers and block printers. Meeting these artisans sparked a new interest in home furnishings, a field related to interior design.
Thereafter, I started my second company, a sister firm to “I Design Spaces” called “Manasvini”. Manasvini is a Sanskrit word that translates to “a proud woman”. Manasvini offers a wide range of handmade home furnishings, including bed linens, table linens, handloom fabrics, and many more home furnishing products.
Furthermore, the two firms are connected, as once the interiors are done at I Design Spaces, Manasvini can offer our amazing customers a glimpse of the beautiful designs that will soon adorn their homes.
How did you get into the career you are in?
I renovated my own home nine years ago without the help of a professional architect or interior designer. I used all of my architectural skills to create my own space. The entire process of remodelling my personal place took me close to a year.
I realized during my journey that I have a flair for interior design and might make it a career. The way the space was used, the interior design, and the overall appearance of my house were all highly praised after it was finished. Remodelling my home with love profoundly transformed my life as I embarked on a new career in design with courage and the support of my loving husband.
Retrospectively, I can safely say that starting my firm was one of the best life-altering decisions that I made, as it shaped me into the strong and independent woman that I am today. Now I truly embody the spirit of Manasvini: I am women who take immense pride in my work and I am proud of my family.
With the grit and grace that lead to the success of all start-ups, today my company has completed more than 25 residential and non-residential projects and has also begun accepting projects across India.
Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
We all experience ups and downs at work. However, persevering even when things are going wrong is crucial. I have a very straightforward adage that I adhere to religiously: “Rome wasn’t built overnight.” All you need to do is keep moving forward because good things take time.
Which are the 3 things you would change in the world?
The way we treat the environment and one another are just two of the many things I would like to see changed. One of the things I’d like to see changed in the world is prejudice based on religion.
Second, I would also wave my wand to rewrite the invisible DOs and DON’Ts manual produced by our culture.
Last but not least, I would use my magic to reverse climate change. I should add that, with or without magic, all of us across the globe need to work against climate change, as it truly is a planetary problem.
In your opinion what are the keys to success?
(1) Hard Work and Perseverance: Putting in consistent effort and being resilient in the face of challenges.
(2) Resilience: Learn from failures, bounce back stronger, and never give up on your dreams.
(3) Self-care: Prioritize your physical and mental well-being to sustain long-term success.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
Concentrate on earning people’s trust and respect, and success will come naturally.
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
What makes my journey satisfying and exciting is the sense of continuous growth and self-discovery that comes with it. Each step I take, every challenge I face, and every success I achieve contributes to my personal and professional development. The journey is filled with opportunities to learn, evolve, and become a better version of myself.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
