Sakshi Jain: A New-Age Leader Spearheading Her Dream Venture With Contemporary Skills
Sakshi Jain
Co-Founder
Engaging in an exclusive interaction with CEO Insights, Sakshi Jain elaborates the singularity of her professional spectrum across the architecture arena.
What were the major challenges faced by you while establishing TDC and how has your journey been so far?
Starting anything on your own is an uphill task; so was an Architectural Firm. And the first step is the hardest; I guess that is why they say that well begun is half done. Initially, there was no work to showcase as TDC’s and the clients were apprehensive about entrusting a young all-women team. Making the client understand how quality and time play a huge role in the cost is a task in itself.
But it’s all part of the process I suppose, it keeps you on your toes. We have been fortunate enough to work on a number of interesting projects in various sectors, yet the desire to build a client’s dream is still as strong as was in the beginning.
Tell us about TDC along with the services that you offer. Also, tell us how do you uniquely run the functions of the company?
The Design Charrette or TDC takes up projects under the umbrella of
Architecture and Interior Design; extending to Workplace Design, Clinic Design, Set Design, Landscaping, and Heritage Conservation. We provide Design Consultancy, Project Management Consultancy, and Design-Build services. In the construction industry, we often see that there is a contrast between the design and the final product. Our idea was to bridge this gap with an experienced team with profound knowledge of the design process, site execution works and intricate design details that are required for a satisfactory final product. We consider ‘time is of essence’ for every project.
As a woman Entrepreneur, how crucial have your respective experiences been in shaping your Entrepreneur journeys?
There is a lot of apprehension in clients about entrusting large-scale projects to a young all-women team, assuming that we would somehow lack the desired experience and effort. The gender bias is not just client-specific; contractors have their own reservations. The prudent way to deal with it is persistence. Only the absolute belief in your own skills equipped with the right knowledge can convince others to have faith in you and your abilities.
From my experience, I have also understood that if there is a part of the crowd who tries to bring women down, there is also another side that genuinely wishes to uplift women. People who believe in women and their abilities, who support us in small and big gestures, who celebrate even the tiniest of our achievements; that is the side I prefer to look at and draw inspiration from.
How has your family supported you in your career journey so far? Also, how do you manage balance between your personal & professional life?
Watching how we collaborated so effectively during our college days, my parents used to suggest us to work together someday. However, when the time came, it took them a while to get on board. Owing to the service class background, it was difficult for them to wrap their heads around the idea of starting a business from scratch. But I feel the determination and perseverance paid off eventually. My entire family
I trust the power of manifestation and am convinced that if one can believe it, the mind can achieve it. And whenever there is a dilemma in life, I think about what I would regret more later on and that helps me decide
As a woman Entrepreneur, how crucial have your respective experiences been in shaping your Entrepreneur journeys?
There is a lot of apprehension in clients about entrusting large-scale projects to a young all-women team, assuming that we would somehow lack the desired experience and effort. The gender bias is not just client-specific; contractors have their own reservations. The prudent way to deal with it is persistence. Only the absolute belief in your own skills equipped with the right knowledge can convince others to have faith in you and your abilities.
From my experience, I have also understood that if there is a part of the crowd who tries to bring women down, there is also another side that genuinely wishes to uplift women. People who believe in women and their abilities, who support us in small and big gestures, who celebrate even the tiniest of our achievements; that is the side I prefer to look at and draw inspiration from.
How has your family supported you in your career journey so far? Also, how do you manage balance between your personal & professional life?
Watching how we collaborated so effectively during our college days, my parents used to suggest us to work together someday. However, when the time came, it took them a while to get on board. Owing to the service class background, it was difficult for them to wrap their heads around the idea of starting a business from scratch. But I feel the determination and perseverance paid off eventually. My entire family
seem to have developed an understanding now. Creating a work-life balance is grinding. I am still learning and adapting to it. And the pandemic has made it even more laborious. However, I think it’s wise to follow a schedule and stick to it, to give the most to both and receive the best of both.
How has been your entrepreneurial journey so far? What are the major milestones that bestowed you with utmost satisfaction?
Starting with conceptual design projects, renovation, small design and build projects. Our breakthrough project was bagging a workplace design-build of 12000 sq. ft. in the latter half of our first year itself. Moreover, we completed it in a record time of 70 days which happened even before we completed the first year of formation of TDC. We have been working on a variety of projects like set designing which is an entirely different game altogether; hospitality design, in which requirements are really specific and technical; Heritage Conservation, where one needs to have intensive knowledge of the materials and techniques.
At present also, we are working on some very challenging projects like the set design of an old palace for well-known names of the film industry. Then there is a farmhouse being built just out of containers, a proposal for a magic academy and a few other like that. With each project comes its own set of hurdles. Therefore, each project has been a milestone in itself, a stepping stone taking us up on the ladder.
Do you have any advice or suggestion on your mind for the budding entrepreneurs in the world of Interior Design?
Trust your instinct and follow your own pace. Do not draw comparisons with anyone for that will only intimidate you. You just need one person to have faith in your idea and that’s you. Having said that, it’s imperative to prepare yourself for the journey ahead, equip yourself with the right knowledge and skills before heading on.
Sakshi Jain, Co-Founder, The Design Charrette
Fascinated by the concept of building one’s imagination, Sakshi chose to pursue Architecture and completed my graduation in B.Arch. from NIT Bhopal in 2014. To counterfeit common perception that Architects have a poor grip on practical application of their design, she studied Advance Construction Management from NICMAR Pune for post-graduation to ensure that her ideas can be transformed in reality. Sakshi is currently undertaking defined responsibilities which includes financial and stakeholder management for her firm The Design Charrette, collaborating with other co-founders on different aspects to reach the best outcome.
How has been your entrepreneurial journey so far? What are the major milestones that bestowed you with utmost satisfaction?
Starting with conceptual design projects, renovation, small design and build projects. Our breakthrough project was bagging a workplace design-build of 12000 sq. ft. in the latter half of our first year itself. Moreover, we completed it in a record time of 70 days which happened even before we completed the first year of formation of TDC. We have been working on a variety of projects like set designing which is an entirely different game altogether; hospitality design, in which requirements are really specific and technical; Heritage Conservation, where one needs to have intensive knowledge of the materials and techniques.
At present also, we are working on some very challenging projects like the set design of an old palace for well-known names of the film industry. Then there is a farmhouse being built just out of containers, a proposal for a magic academy and a few other like that. With each project comes its own set of hurdles. Therefore, each project has been a milestone in itself, a stepping stone taking us up on the ladder.
Do you have any advice or suggestion on your mind for the budding entrepreneurs in the world of Interior Design?
Trust your instinct and follow your own pace. Do not draw comparisons with anyone for that will only intimidate you. You just need one person to have faith in your idea and that’s you. Having said that, it’s imperative to prepare yourself for the journey ahead, equip yourself with the right knowledge and skills before heading on.
Sakshi Jain, Co-Founder, The Design Charrette
Fascinated by the concept of building one’s imagination, Sakshi chose to pursue Architecture and completed my graduation in B.Arch. from NIT Bhopal in 2014. To counterfeit common perception that Architects have a poor grip on practical application of their design, she studied Advance Construction Management from NICMAR Pune for post-graduation to ensure that her ideas can be transformed in reality. Sakshi is currently undertaking defined responsibilities which includes financial and stakeholder management for her firm The Design Charrette, collaborating with other co-founders on different aspects to reach the best outcome.